Dr Carlos Loureiro

Lecturer in Physical Geography

Biological and Environmental Sciences Cottrell Building Office 3V1A

Contact details

ORCID 0000-0003-3117-3492

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About me

I am a coastal geomorphologist working in the impacts of extreme storm events, sea level rise and mesoscale coastal evolution. I have worked in Portugal, South Africa, UK and Ireland on a variety of research projects that normally include many hours on a beach and at sea collecting morphological, sedimentary, geophysical and hydrodynamic data that is used to understand process-response relationships in coastal and nearshore systems.

Posts:

since 2019 Lecturer in Physical Geography, University of Stirling
since 2014 Honorary Research Fellow, University of KwaZulu-Natal
2016 - 2019 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, Ulster University and UKZN
2013 - 2016 FCT Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Algarve, Ulster University and UKZN
2008 - 2012 PhD Student, University of Algarve & Ulster University
2004 - 2008 Research Assistant, University of Algarve

Qualifications:

2019 PgCert Higher Education Practice, Ulster University
2012 PhD Marine and Earth Sciences, University of Algarve in collaboration with Ulster University (Geomorphology and morphodynamics of embayed beaches in contrasting environments)
2007 PgDip Coastal and Marine Studies, University of Algarve
2003 BSc in Physical Geography, University of Coimbra

Research

My research investigates a variety of aspects of coastal and marine environments, at scales that range from individual storm events to decadal and centennial coastal evolution under changing sea levels, exploring many different approaches and tools, ranging from detailed field experiments to underwater and satellite remote sensing, as well as numerical modelling and spatial analysis.

The specific topics of research that I'm currently working on are:

beach and nearshore morphodynamics (with a focus on geologically controlled settings)
impacts of extreme coastal storms (tropical and extratropical storms, erosion and overwash dynamics )
exploratory modelling of coastal dynamics (hydrodynamics and morphological evolution)
wave climate and storminess (based on observations and global reanalysis) .

Current research Projects:

NEARControl – Nearshore Geological Control on Coastal Morphodynamics (EU H2020, UlsterU, www.nearcontrol.eu)
RUSH – From Runup to Overwash (FCT, UAlg)
Extreme storm impacts in the northeastern Atlantic (CCG, UlsterU)
Beach nourishment and coastal processes in Southern Coastal Mine-Namibia mega-nourishment (UKZN-NAMDEB MoU)
Shoreline change and coastal hazards in large-scale embayments (SAIAB-CGS MoU)

Outputs

Book Chapter

Mechanisms and timescales of beach rotation

Loureiro C & Ferreira Ó (2020) Mechanisms and timescales of beach rotation. In: Short AD & Jackson DWT (eds.) Sandy Beach Morphodynamics: Form and Process. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier, pp. 593-614. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102927-5.00024-2

Article

Geologically controlled sandy beaches: their geomorphology, morphodynamics and classification

Gallop SL, Kennedy DM, Loureiro C, Naylor LA, Muñoz-Pérez JJ, Jackson DWT & Fellowes TE (2020) Geologically controlled sandy beaches: their geomorphology, morphodynamics and classification. Science of The Total Environment, 731, Art. No.: 139123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139123

Article

Spatial Variability of Beach Impact from Post-Tropical Cyclone Katia (2011) on Northern Ireland's North Coast

Anfuso G, Loureiro C, Taaouati M, Smyth T & Jackson D (2020) Spatial Variability of Beach Impact from Post-Tropical Cyclone Katia (2011) on Northern Ireland's North Coast. Water, 12 (5), Art. No.: 1380. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12051380

Article

Field measurements and hydrodynamic modelling to evaluate the importance of factors controlling overwash

Matias A, Carrasco AR, Loureiro C, Masselink G, Andriolo U, McCall R, Ferreira Ó, Plomaritis TA, Pacheco A & Guerreiro M (2019) Field measurements and hydrodynamic modelling to evaluate the importance of factors controlling overwash. Coastal Engineering, 152, Art. No.: 103523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2019.103523

Article

Temporal variability in winter wave conditions and storminess in the northwest of Ireland

Loureiro C & Cooper A (2018) Temporal variability in winter wave conditions and storminess in the northwest of Ireland. Irish Geography, 51 (2). http://www.geographicalsocietyireland.ie/irish-geography.html

Article

Morphological and economic impacts of rising sea levels on cliff-backed platform beaches in southern Portugal

Bon de Sousa L, Loureiro C & Ferreira Ó (2018) Morphological and economic impacts of rising sea levels on cliff-backed platform beaches in southern Portugal. Applied Geography, 99, pp. 31-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2018.07.023

Article

Geological constraints on mesoscale coastal barrier behaviour

Cooper JAG, Green AN & Loureiro C (2018) Geological constraints on mesoscale coastal barrier behaviour. Global and Planetary Change, 168, pp. 15-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2018.06.006

Conference Proceeding

Measuring and modelling overwash hydrodynamics on a barrier island

Matias A, Carrasco A, Loureiro C, Andriolo U, Masselink G, Guerreiro M, Pacheco A, McCall R, Ferreira Ó & Plomaritis T (2017) Measuring and modelling overwash hydrodynamics on a barrier island. In: Proceedings of Coastal Dynamics 2017. Coastal Dynamics 2017, Helsingør, Denmark, 12.06.2017-16.06.2017. Helsingør, Denmark: University of Copenhagen, pp. 1616-1627. http://coastaldynamics2017.dk

Article

Field measurements of intertidal bar evolution on a high-energy beach system: Intertidal bar Evolution on a High-Energy Beach System

Jackson DWT, Cooper JAG, O'Connor M, Guisado-Pintado E, Loureiro C & Anfuso G (2016) Field measurements of intertidal bar evolution on a high-energy beach system: Intertidal bar Evolution on a High-Energy Beach System. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 41 (8), pp. 1107-1114. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3920

Article

Contrasting geomorphological storm response from two adjacent shorefaces: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms

Backstrom J, Jackson D, Cooper A & Loureiro C (2015) Contrasting geomorphological storm response from two adjacent shorefaces: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 40 (15), pp. 2112-2120. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3788

Article

Retrieval of nearshore bathymetry from Landsat 8 images: A tool for coastal monitoring in shallow waters

Pacheco A, Horta J, Loureiro C & Ferreira Ó (2015) Retrieval of nearshore bathymetry from Landsat 8 images: A tool for coastal monitoring in shallow waters. Remote Sensing of Environment, 159, pp. 102-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2014.12.004

Article

Modelling of estuarine response to sea-level rise during the Holocene: Application to the Guadiana Estuary–SW Iberia

Sampath DMR, Boski T, Loureiro C & Sousa C (2015) Modelling of estuarine response to sea-level rise during the Holocene: Application to the Guadiana Estuary–SW Iberia. Geomorphology, 232, pp. 47-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2014.12.037

Conference Proceeding

Prediction of overwash in alongshore variable barrier islands

Matias A, Carrasco AR, Loureiro C, Almeida S & Ferreira O (2014) Prediction of overwash in alongshore variable barrier islands. In: volume 101. Comunicações Geológicas. Congresso nacional de Geologia 2014, Porto, 18.07.2014-24.07.2014. Lisbon, pp. 621-624. http://www.lneg.pt/download/9620/6_1787_ART_CG14_ESPECIAL_II.pdf

Conference Paper

Non-uniformity of storm impacts on three high-energy embayed beaches

Loureiro C, Ferreira O & Cooper A (2014) Non-uniformity of storm impacts on three high-energy embayed beaches. 13th International Coastal Symposium 2014, Durban, South Africa. Journal of Coastal Research, (SI 70), pp. 326-331. https://doi.org/10.2112/si70-055.1

Conference Paper

Nearshore and foreshore influence on overwash of a barrier island

Matias A, Carrasco AR, Loureiro C, Almeida S & Ferreira Ó (2014) Nearshore and foreshore influence on overwash of a barrier island. 13th International Coastal Symposium, Durban, South Africa. Journal of Coastal Research, (S1 70), pp. 675-680. https://doi.org/10.2112/si70-114.1

Article

Applicability of parametric beach morphodynamic state classification on embayed beaches

Loureiro C, Ferreira Ó & Cooper JAG (2013) Applicability of parametric beach morphodynamic state classification on embayed beaches. Marine Geology, 346, pp. 153-164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2013.09.005

Article

Geologically constrained morphological variability and boundary effects on embayed beaches

Loureiro C, Ferreira Ó & Cooper JAG (2012) Geologically constrained morphological variability and boundary effects on embayed beaches. Marine Geology, 329-331, pp. 1-15. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025322712002101; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2012.09.010

Article

Extreme erosion on high-energy embayed beaches: Influence of megarips and storm grouping

Loureiro C, Ferreira Ó & Cooper JAG (2012) Extreme erosion on high-energy embayed beaches: Influence of megarips and storm grouping. Geomorphology, 139-140, pp. 155-171. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169555X11005290; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.10.013

Conference Paper

Spatial and temporal patterns of sediment activation depth on a high-energy beach

Gómez-Pujol L, Jackson D, Cooper A, Málvarez G, Navas F, Loureiro C & Smith T (2011) Spatial and temporal patterns of sediment activation depth on a high-energy beach. International Coastal Symposium, Szczecin, Poland. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 64, pp. 85-89. http://www.cerf-jcr.org/images/stories/2011_ICS_Proceedings/SP64_85-89_L.Gomez-Pujol.pdf

Conference Paper

Beach and Cliff Retreat Induced by Storm Groups at Forte Novo, Algarve (Portugal)

Nunes M, Ferreira Ó, Loureiro C & Baily B (2011) Beach and Cliff Retreat Induced by Storm Groups at Forte Novo, Algarve (Portugal). International Coastal Symposium 2011, Szczecin, Poland. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 64, pp. 795-799. http://www.cerf-jcr.org/images/stories/2011_ICS_Proceedings/SP64_795-799_N.Nunez.pdf

Conference Proceeding

Morphologic change and morphodynamics at high-energy embayed beaches in Southwestern Portugal

Loureiro C, Ferreira Ó & Cooper A (2011) Morphologic change and morphodynamics at high-energy embayed beaches in Southwestern Portugal. In: Proceedings of Coastal Sediments 2011, volume 2. Proceedings of Coastal Sediments 2011. Coastal Sediments 2011, Miami, Florida, USA, 02.05.2011-06.05.2011. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing Company, pp. 1375-1389. https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/8190; https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814355537_0104

Teaching

I currently teach on the following modules at Stirling:

GEOU9EH - Environmental Hazards

ENVU2LE - Landscape Evolution

GEOU4ER - Environmental Resilience (module coordinator)

I also contribute to the Spain (ENVU6SP) field course and supervise students in the BSc in Environmental Geography (GEOU9PR) and MSc in Environmental Management (ENMPG18).

As Honorary Research Fellow at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, I also co-supervise postgraduate students in Marine Geosciences and regularly contribute to SEAmester - South Africa's Floating University postgraduate training on board of the SA Agulhas 2.

Dr Carlos Loureiro

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