Dinâmica sedimentar atual nas enseadas da região de Ubatuba, Estado de São Paulo

The present study investigates the modern sedimentation pattern in Ubatuba coastal region, State of São Paulo, through the identification of the main mechanisms of input and remobilization of sediments and through the definition of their temporal variations. The study area covers five bays: Ubatuba Bay, Toninhas Bay, Flamengo Bay, Fortaleza Bay and Mar Virado Bay. Results show the existence of dynamic conditions for remobilization of fine sandy sediments previously and during the passage of cold fronts over the area, and for the transport of suspended material during the entire period of the study. Sedimentation patterns unique to each bay, occurring as function of the physiographic and hydrodynamic characteristics of each bay are also identified. Besides sediment remobilization, input of terrigenous materials from the continental area is also evaluated.Este trabalho tem, como objetivo, o estabelecimento de um modelo de sedimentação para as enseadas semi-confinadas da região costeira de Ubatuba, Estado de São Paulo, a partir da identificação dos principais mecanismos de aporte e remobilização de sedimentos e da definição de sua variabilidade. A área de estudo compreende cinco enseadas: Ubatuba, Toninhas, Flamengo, Fortaleza e Mar Virado. A metodologia de trabalho consistiu de cinco séries de estações fixas de correntometria e termossalinometria e seis séries de perfis de termossalinometria, executadas a intervalos aproximados de 3 meses, além da coleta de 115 amostras de sedimentos superficiais. Os sedimentos foram analisados quanto a granulometria, teores de carbono e nitrogênio orgânicos e carbonato biodetrítico e quanto aos constituintes da fração grossa. Os resultados demonstraram a existência de condições dinâmicas para a remobilização de sedimentos arenosos finos, durante a passagem de sistemas frontais sobre a área, e para o transporte de material em suspensão durante todo o período investigado. Indicam, também, a existência de padrões de sedimentação próprios para cada enseada, levando a uma variabilidade espacial dos tipos sedimentológicos, como função das características fisiográficas e hidrodinámicas de cada unidade. É feita, também uma avaliação da importância das áreas continentais no aporte de sedimentos terrígenos e, particularmente, da matéria orgânica, para a área

Magnetic fingerprint of the late Holocene inception of the Río de la Plataplume onto the southeast Brazilian shelf.

Measurement of changes in the assembly ofmagnetic particles in sediment records is useful both for paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic reconstructions and for assessing provenance and pathways of sediment transport. In this study we provide detailed rockmagnetic analysis along with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Ti/Ca ratio and particle size distribution of the decarbonated fraction of sediments to trace terrigenous source changes during the last 6 cal kyr BP in core 7610 collected on the SE Brazilian continental shelf. Magnetic mineralogy data indicate a gradual shift between two distinct sources of sediments: (1) dust fromsouthern South America (Patagonia, central western Argentina and Puna-Altiplano plateau) and (2) sediments eroded fromtheweathered volcanics of Paraná Basin. Thesematerials reached the continental margin off Argentina and Uruguay by different pathways andwere transported northward by the Brazilian Coastal Current (BCC). The chronology of events related to the environmental record of core 7610 indicates that between 6 and 4.7 cal kyr BP dry conditions over continental South America resulted in enhanced eastward eolian transport of the Argentinean loess and a limited discharge of the RdlP river load into the Atlantic Ocean. At this time, the sedimentary magnetic fraction that reached the SE Brazilian shelf reflect predominantly loessic sources transported from the Pampean terraces to the Argentinean and Uruguay shelves and then distributed northward by the shelf current system. From 4.7 to 2 cal kyr BP the climate became gradually wetter over the continent and the contribution of oxidized phases from the weathered Paraná Basin (mainly from the basaltic and acidic volcanics) started to become important. This change in climate overlaps in time awith the late Holocene sea level fall recorded along the SE South American coast. Later, from2 up to 0.9 cal kyr BP even wetter conditions were prevalent in S and SE South America, and the RdlP sedimentary load became themain source of sediments transported to the SE Brazilian shelf by the BCC. The magnetic record of core 7610 reported here together with other paleoenvironmental tracers (palynology, geochemistry and stable isotopes) thus indicates that the inception of the RdlP plume onto the SE Brazilian shelf started as early as 4.7 cal kyr BP and has been strengthened since then mostly due to changes in precipitation over South America and to a smaller extent by sea-level changes

Utilização da análise dos componentes principais na caracterização dos sedimentos de superfície de fundo da Baía da Ilha Grande (RJ)

A Análise dos Componentes Principais foi aplicada sobre três conjuntos de dados, gerados a partir dos resultados de análise granulométrica de 153 amostras de sedimentos superficiais da Baía da Ilha Grande, Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Os resultados obtidos demonstram as vantagens da utilização do método na interpretação dos diferentes fácies texturais dos sedimentos da área, em comparação com os métodos de classificação de Shepard (1954) e Folk & Ward (1957). Os resultados demonstram também ser o conjunto de dados de freqüências de classes granulométricas o melhor parâmetro a ser utilizado na análise.The Principal Component Analysis was applied to three sets of data, generated from the results of grain size analysis of 153 surface sediment samples of Ilha Grande Bay, Rio de Janeiro. State. The results show the advantages of the method in the interpretation of the different textural facies of the sediments of the area, in comparison to the classification methods of Shepard (1954) and Folk & Ward (1957). The results show also that the grain size frequencies are the best set of data for the application of the analysis

Sedimentação atual nas enseadas de Ubatumirim e Picinguaba, região norte de Ubatuba, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

This work deals with the identification of the bathymetric, sedimentary distribution, and sedimentary features, as well as with their correlation to hydrodynamic processes which are responsible for the transportation and deposition of particulate materials in Ubatumirim and Picinguaba bays and in the adjacent inner shelf. The methodology comprised the batthymetric characterization, 77 bottom surface sampling and the measurements of temperature and salinity profiles. Results showed the dominance of fine and very fine sands, and secondarily, the existence of NNW-SSE elongated coarse and medium sand features. These features are related to relict sediments. The oceanographic structure shows an anti-clockwise circulation in the bays, with an opposite direction for the longshore currents, which demonstrate rip cell circulation in opposite direction along the coastline This pattern causes the transport of fluvial sediments to the opposite sides of the beaches. The sediment transport and generation of sedimentary features could be associated to the passage of cold fronts over the area.Os objetivos deste trabalho consistem na identificação das características sedimentológicas e batimétricas da superfície de fundo e sua correlação com os agentes dinâmicos, que visando caracterizar os processos sedimentares atuantes nas enseadas de Ubatumirim e Picinguaba e na plataforma interna adjacente. Os trabalhos realizados consistiram na caracterização da batimetria de detalhe da área, na coleta e análise de 77 amostras de sedimentos de superfície de fundo, em levantamentos bimestrais de perfis termossalinométricos e análise de fotos aéreas. Os resultados obtidos demonstram o predomínio de sedimentos compostos de areias finas e muito finas e, secundariamente, por areias médias e grossas, que compõem feições manchas e feições alongadas, orientadas segundo NNW-SSE. Estas feições representam variações marcantes na composição dos sedimentos, possivelmente associadas a sedimentos palimpsestos. A estrutura oceanográfica da área mostra um padrão de circulação no interior das enseadas predominantemente no sentido anti-horário, com células de circulação junto à linha de costa em sentido oposto, que influenciam o transporte de sedimentos provenientes dos rios que aportam nas praias do interior das enseadas. As velocidades de correntes junto ao fundo, mais efetivas na distribuição sedimentar devem estar associadas aos agentes dinâmicos gerados pela passagem de sistemas frontais

Desenvolvimento de testemunhador a vibração portátil

A testemunhagem por vibração ("vibracoring") tem se mostrado como um método eficaz na amostragem de sedimentos inconsolidados. Com o intuito de facilitar a portabilidade e reduzir o peso do equipamento, foi desenvolvido um testemunhador a vibração ("vibracorer") a partir de um motor de roçadeira costal adaptado. Os resultados alcançados demonstram as vantagens do aparelho desenvolvido, mesmo quando de sua utilização em áreas submersas.Vibracoring has been described as an efficient method for the sampling of unconsolidated sediments. In order to improve portability as well as reduce weight, a vibracorer was developed from a brush cutter, with some adaptations. The results show the advantages of the model, even for its use in offshore areas

The meridional gradiente soft the S-SE Brazilian continental shelf: Introduction to the special volume

This Special Issue is dedicated to the southern and southeastern Brazilian continental shelf. The works comprising the Issue review, substantia teor improve the description of the mechanisms the drive oceanographic processes known to date, and also report new findings. The works support that the strong meridional gradient of physical-chemical characteristics observed in this region is driven by the La Plata River plume influence of oceanic water masses in the north. The importance of the annual cycle of the wind field modulating the volumes of the distinct waters masses on the shelf is consolidated. The results gathered by this Special Issue strongly support that the continental shelf area near São Sebastião Island delimits two main oceanographic regimes with contrasting sedimentation rates and distinct primary and secondary production mechanisms. Nonetheless, it became clear that process-oriented studies are imperative for understanding how this region functions

Late Pleistocene to Holocene variations in marine productivity and terrestrial material delivery to the western South Atlantic

Despite the increased number of paleoceanographic studies in the SW Atlantic in recent years, the mechanisms controlling marine productivity and terrestrial material delivery to the South Brazil Bight remain unresolved. Because of its wide continental shelf and abrupt change in coastline orientation, this region is under the influence of several environmental forcings, causing the region to have large variability in primary production. This study investigated terrestrial organic matter (OM) sources and marine OM sources in the South Brazil Bight, as well as the main controls on marine productivity and terrestrial OM export. We analyzed OM geochemical (bulk and molecular) proxies in sediment samples from a core (NAP 63-1) retrieved from the SW Atlantic slope (24.8 degrees S, 44.3 degrees W, 840-m water depth). The organic proxies were classified into "terrestrial-source" and "marine-source" groups based on a cluster analysis. The two sources presented different stratigraphical profiles, indicating distinct mechanisms governing their delivery. Bulk proxies indicate the predominance of marine OM, although terrestrial input also affected the total OM deposition. The highest marine productivity, observed between 50 and 39 ka BP, was driven by the combined effects of the South Atlantic Central Water upwelling promoted by Brazil Current eddies and fluvial nutrient inputs from the adjacent coast. After the last deglaciation, decreased phytoplankton productivity and increased archaeal productivity suggest a stronger oligotrophic tropical water presence. The highest terrestrial OM accumulation occurred between 30 and 20 ka BP, with its temporal evolution controlled mainly by continental moisture evolution. Sea level fluctuations affected the distance between the coastline and the sampling site. In contrast, continental moisture affected the phytogeography, changing from lowlands covered by grasses and saltmarshes to a landscape dominated by mangroves and the Atlantic Forest. Our results suggest how the OM cycle in the South Brazil Bight may respond to warmer and dryer climate conditions.Peer reviewe