As part of a meiofaunistic research, this paper describes some relevant physical factors of a moderately exposed sandy beach located at Anchieta Island (23º32'S - 45º04'W), Brazil. Reflective and dissipative domains could be recognized. These domains differ by the hydrodynamic forces to which they are submitted, grain size and sorting characteristics, pore space available to interstitial life, temperature, water and organic contents, relative stability, isolation from the adjacent marine system, and historical aspects.
Beaches; Sediment texture; Interstitial environment; Meiobenthos; Abiotic factors; Ilha Anchieta: SP; Brazil