Modern sedimentary processes along the Doce river adjacent continental shelf

In areas of the continental shelf where sediment supply is greater than the sediment dispersion capacity, an extensive terrigenous deposits and consequently submerged deltas can be formed. The Eastern Brazilian shelf is characterized by the occurrence of river feed deltas in between starving coasts....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brazilian journal of geology 2015-12, Vol.45 (4), p.635-644
Main Authors: Quaresma, Valéria da Silva, Catabriga, Geórgia, Bourguignon, Silvia Nossa, Godinho, Estefânia, Bastos, Alex Cardoso
Format: Article
Language:eng ; por
Subjects:
Delta costeiro
GEOLOGY
GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY
Plataforma continental
Rio Doce
Sedimento dinâmico
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Summary:In areas of the continental shelf where sediment supply is greater than the sediment dispersion capacity, an extensive terrigenous deposits and consequently submerged deltas can be formed. The Eastern Brazilian shelf is characterized by the occurrence of river feed deltas in between starving coasts. Herein, modern sedimentary processes acting along the Doce river adjacent continental shelf are investigated. The main objective was to understand the shelf sediment distribution, recognizing distinct sedimentary patterns and the major influence of river sediment discharge in the formation of shelf deposits. The study used 98 surficial samples that were analyzed for grain size, composition and bulk density. Results revealed 3 distinct sectors: south - dominated by mud fraction with a recent deposition from riverine input until 30 m deep and from this depth bioclastic sands dominate; central north - sand mud dominated, been recognized as a bypass zone of resuspended sediment during high energy events; and north - relict sands with high carbonate content. The modern sedimentation processes along the Doce river continental shelf is dominated by distinct sedimentary regimes, showing a strong fluvial influence associated with wave/wind induced sediment dispersion and a carbonate regime along the outer shelf. These regimes seem to be controlled by the distance from the river mouth and bathymetric gradients. Deltas submersos e extensos depósitos sedimentares terrígenos podem ser formados em áreas da plataforma continental, onde o suprimento sedimentar é maior do que a sua dispersão. A plataforma leste brasileira é caracterizada pela presença desses deltas entre áreas de baixo aporte sedimentar, aqui denominadas como áreas famintas. Neste trabalho, os processos sedimentares que ocorrem ao longo da plataforma continental adjacente à desembocadura do rio Doce foram investigados. Dessa forma, o principal objetivo desta pesquisa foi entender a distribuição sedimentar na plataforma em questão, reconhecendo padrões distintos de sedimentação, considerando a influência do aporte fluvial na formação desses depósitos. Para tal, foram realizadas análises granulométrica, composicional e de densidade em 98 amostras de sedimento superficial. Os resultados mostraram 3 setores distintos: sul - dominado pela fração lamosa ligada a uma deposição recente e oriunda do aporte fluvial, que se extendia até a profundidade de 30 m, a partir da qual se observa o domínio de sedimento bioclástico
ISSN:2317-4889
2317-4692
2317-4889
2317-4692
DOI:10.1590/2317-488920150030274