Potencialidades de cultivo de macroalgas no litoral do Rio Grande do Norte (NE, Brasil): uma perspectiva de integração de dados ambientais em sistemas de informação geográfica (SIG)

Since centuries ago, the Asians use seaweed as an important source of feeding and are their greatest world-wide consumers. The migration of these peoples for other countries, made the demand for seaweed to increase. This increasing demand prompted an industry with annual values of around US$ 6 billion. The algal biomass used for the industry is collected in natural reservoirs or cultivated. The market necessity for products of the seaweed base promotes an unsustainable exploration of the natural banks, compromising its associated biological balance. In this context, seaweed culture appears as a viable alternative to prevent the depletion of these natural supplies. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide space and produce information that can facilitate the evaluation of important physical and socio-economic characteristics for the planning of seaweed culture. This objective of this study is to identify potential coastal areas for seaweed culture in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, from the integration of social-environmental data in the SIG. In order to achieve this objective, a geo-referred database composed of geographical maps, nautical maps and orbital digital images was assembled; and a bank of attributes including physical and oceanographical variables (winds, chains, bathymetry, operational distance from the culture) and social and environmental factors (main income, experience with seaweed harvesting, demographic density, proximity of the sheltered coast and distance of the banks) was produced. In the modeling of the data, the integration of the space database with the bank of attributes for the attainment of the map of potentiality of seaweed culture was carried out. Of a total of 2,011 ha analyzed by the GIS for the culture of seaweed, around 34% or 682 ha were indicated as high potential, 55% or 1,101 ha as medium potential, and 11% or 228 ha as low potential. The good indices of potentiality obtained in the localities studied demonstrate that there are adequate conditions for the installation of seaweed culture in the state of Rio Grande do Norte

Caracterização batimétrica e fisicooceanográfica do canal de acesso ao porto de Cabedelo/PB: uma análise ambiental ao derrame de óleo

The State of Paraíba is one of the most dynamic states of Brazil, strategically located in the northeast, is notable for the excellent potential for integration of different transportation modes forming the states of Rio Grande do Norte, Pernambuco and Alagoas. The dynamic that occurs with port activity causes changes in the space where it is installed. And the elements of this space are always more than suffering direct or indirect influences as the flow in the port is expanded. Therefore, this region became subject to the accidental spillage of oil, because it presents a heavy traffic of ships of various sizes that can run aground or collide with oil causing accidental events. The study of geomorphological and sedimentological compositions of seafloor becomes important as more is known about the relationships between these parameters and associated fauna, and can identify their preferred habitats. The database background, acoustically collected along the proposed study area, is a wealth of information, which were duly examined, cataloged and made available. Such information can serve as an important tool, providing a geomorphological survey of the sedimentary area studied, and come to subsidize, in a flexible, future decision making. With the study area Port of Cabedelo, Paraíba - Brazil, this research aimed to evaluate the influence of the tidal surface and background in modeling the seabed, including the acquisition of information about the location of submerged rocky bodies and the depth of these bodies may turn out to be natural traps for the trapping of oil in case of leaks, and obtain the relationship between types of bed and the hydrodynamic conditions present in the region. In this context, for this study were collected bathymetric data (depth) and physical oceanographic (height of water column, water temperature, intensity and direction of currents, waves and turbidity), meteorological (rainfall, air temperature, humidity, winds and barometric pressure) of the access channel to the Port of Cabedelo / PB and its basin evolution (where the cruise ships dock), and includes tools of remote sensing (Landsat 7 ETM +, 2001), so that images and the results are integrated into Geographic Information Systems and used in the elaboration of measures aimed at environmental protection areas under the influence of this scale facilities, serving as a grant to prepare a contingency plan in case of oil spills in the region. The main findings highlight the techniques of using hydroacoustic data acquisition together bathymetric surveys of high and low frequency. From there, five were prepared in bathymetric pattern of Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation - DHN, with the depth in meters, on a scale of 1:2500 (Channel and Basin Evolution of Access to Port of Cabedelo), where there is a large extent possible beachrocks that hinder the movement of vessels in the port area, which can cause collisions, running aground and leaking oil. From the scatter diagram of the vectors of currents, it can be seen as the tidal stream and undergoes a channeling effect caused by the bidirectional effect of the tide (ebb and flood) in the basin of the Port of Cabedelo evolution in NW-direction SE and the highest speed of the currents occurs at low tide. The characterization weather for the period from 28/02 to 04/07/2010 values was within the expected average for the region of study. The multidisciplinary integration of products (digital maps and remote sensing images), proved to be efficient for the characterization of underwater geomorphological study area, reaching the aim to discriminate and enhance submerged structures, previously not visible in the images

Desenvolvimento de um laminado compósito híbrido a base de fibras de vidro/licurí

This research work is based, in search of reinforcement s vegetable alternative to polymer composites. The idealization of making a hybrid composite reinforced with vegetable fibers licuri with synthetic fibers is a pioneer in this area. Thus was conceived a hybrid composite laminate consisting of 05 (five) layers being 03 (three) webs of synthetic fibers of glass and E-02 (two) unidirectional fabrics of vegetable fibers licuri. In the configuration of the laminate layers have alternating distribution. The composite laminate was manufactured in Tecniplas Commerce & Industry LTD, in the form of a card through the manufacturing process of hand lay up. Licuri fibers used in making the foil were the City of Mare Island in the state of Bahia. After cooking and the idealization of the hybrid composite laminate, the objective of this research work has focused on evaluating the performance of the mechanical properties (ultimate strength, stiffness and elongation at break) through uniaxial tensile tests and three point bending. Comparative studies of the mechanical properties and as well as among other types of laminated hybrid composites studied previously, were performed. Promising results were found with respect to the mechanical properties of strength and stiffness to the hybridization process idealized here. To complement the entire study were analyzed in terms of macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the fracture for all tests.

Dinâmica de Sedimentação de Lodo em Lagoas de Estabilização

Stabilization ponds are an effective sewage treatment alternative for the climatic conditions prevailing in Brazil. In the present work, a primary facultative pond was studied, in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Northeast Brazil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sedimentation dynamics in the facultative pond. The pond was divided in three section or zones along its length starting from the inlet end namely A1, A2 and A3. The research was accomplished in three phases. In the first the mapping of the sludge layer was done, sludge core samples were also collected for analysis for total, fixed and volatile solids and the depth of the sludge layer was determined using a portable echo sounder. In the second solids sedimentation rates were measured using traps placed in the inlet and outlet zones and in the third phase resuspension sludge was evaluate using a tracer. The amount accumulated sludge since the start operation was 13.583 m3. The sedimentation constant averages changed between 0.93 to 2.94 and 3.90 to 5.80 for the depths of 0.5 and 1.0 m respectively. The relationship between volatile and fixed solids (SV/SF) increased along the pond. The removal efficiencies were 52.12%, 36.09%, and 37.50% for BOD, COD and SS, respectively. The sludge accumulation model proposed had a good adjustment with 0.17 m3/hab.year rate. The results presented here demonstrated that the wind had a direct influence on the sedimentation of solids in this pond affecting the efficiency and sludge accumulation

Influência dos modelos digitais de terreno na modelagem de circulação hidrodinâmica 2DH: um estudo de caso

Digital Elevation Models (DEM) are numerical representations of a portion of the earth surface. Among several factors which affect the quality of a DEM, it should be emphasized the attention on the input data and the choice of the interpolating algorithm. On the other hand, several numerical models are used nowadays to characterize nearshore hydrodynamics and morphological changes in coastal areas, whose validation is based on field data collection. Independent on the complexity of the physical processes which are modeled, little attention has been given to the intrinsic bathymetric interpolation built within the numerical models of the specific application. Therefore, this study aims to investigate and to quantify the influence of the bathymetry, as obtained by a DEM, on the hydrodynamic circulation model at a coastal stretch, off the coast of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Northeast Brazil. This coastal region is characterized by strong hydrodynamic and littoral processes, resulting in a very dynamic morphology with shallow coastal bathymetry. Important economic activities, such as oil exploitation and production, fisheries, salt ponds, shrimp farms and tourism, also bring impacts upon the local ecosystems and influence themselves the local hydrodynamics. This fact makes the region one of the most important for the development of the State, but also enhances the possibility of serious environmental accidents. As a hydrodynamic model, SisBaHiA® - Environmental Hydrodynamics System ( Sistema Básico de Hidrodinâmica Ambiental ) was chosen, for it has been successfully employed at several locations along the Brazilian coast. This model was developed at the Coastal and Oceanographical Engineering Group of the Ocean Engineering Program at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Several interpolating methods were tested for the construction of the DEM, namely Natural Neighbor, Kriging, Triangulation with Linear Interpolation, Inverse Distance to a Power, Nearest Neighbor, and Minimum Curvature, all implemented within the software Surfer®. The bathymetry which was used as reference for the DEM was obtained from nautical charts provided by the Brazilian Hydrographic Service of the Brazilian Navy and from a field survey conducted in 2005. Changes in flow velocity and free surface elevation were evaluated under three aspects: a spatial vision along three profiles perpendicular to the coast and one profile longitudinal to the coast as shown; a temporal vision from three central nodes of the grid during 30 days; a hodograph analysis of components of speed in U and V, by different tidal cycles. Small, but negligible, variations in sea surface elevation were identified. However, the differences in flow and direction of velocities were significant, depending on the DEM

Síntese análise das propriedades magnéticas da ferrita de NiMg e características de absorção de radiação

It was synthesized different Ni1-xMgxFe2O4 (0,2 ≤ x ≤ 0,7) compositions by use of citrate precursor method. Initially, the precursory citrates of iron, nickel and magnesium were mixed and homogenized. The stoichiometric compositions were calcined from 350°C to 1200°C at ambient atmosphere or in argon atmosphere. The calcined powders were characterized by XRD, TGA/DTG, FTIR, magnetic measures and reflectivity using the wave guide method. I was observed pure magnetic phase formation between 350°C and 500°C, with formation of ferrite and hematite after 600°C at ambient atmosphere. The calcined powder at argon atmosphere formed pure ferromagnetic phase at 1100°C and 1200°C. The Rietveld analyses calculated the cations level occupation and the crystallite size. The analyses obtained nanometric crystals (11-66 nm), that at 900°C/3h presents micrometric sizes (0,45 - 0,70 Om). The better magnetization results were 54 Am2/Kg for x= 0,2 composition, calcined at 350°C/3h and 30 min, and 55,6 Am2/Kg for x= 0,2 1200°C, calcined in argon. The hysteresis shows characteristics of soft magnetic material. Two magnetization processes were considered, superparamagnetism at low temperature and the magnetic domains formation at high temperatures. The materials presented absorption less or equal the 50 % in ranges specific frequency. As for the 2,0 and 3,0 thickness (in 11,0 - 11,8 GHz), the reflectivity of the x= 0,3, 0,5 and 0,4 compositions, all calcined at 900°C/3h showed agreement with MS and O. Various factors contribute for the final radiation absortion effect, such as, the particle size, the magnetization and the polymer characteristics in the MARE composition. The samples that presented better magnetization does not obtaining high radiation absorption. It is not clear the interrelaction between the magnetization and the radiation absorption in the strip of frequencies studied (8,2 - 12,4 GHz)

Estudo da viabilização do uso da mistura híbrida ferrocarbonila / ferrita de NI0,5Zn0,5Fe2o4 como material absorvedor de radiação eletromagnética

Were synthesized ferrites of NiZn on systems Ni0,5Zn0,5Fe2O4, the precursors citrate method. The decomposition of the precursors was studied by thermogravimetric analysis and spectroscopy in the infrared region, the temperature of 350°C/3h. The evolution of the phases formed after calcinations at 350ºC/3h, 600, 1000 and 1100ºC/2h was accompanied by X-ray diffraction using the Rietveld refinement method for better identification os structures formed. Was observed for samples calcined at different temperatures increased crystallinity with increasing calcination temperature, being observed for the samples calcined at 900 and 1100 º C/2h was the precipitation of a secondary phase, the phase hematite. The ferrocarbonila of industrial origin was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Rietveld for the identification of its structure. The carbonyl iron was added NiZn ferrite calcined at 350ºC/3h, 600, 900, 1000 and 1100ºC/2h to the formation of hybrid mixtures. They were then analyzed by Xray diffraction and Rietveld. The NiZn ferrite and ferrocarbonila as well as the hybrid mixtures were subjected to analysis of scanning electron microscopy, magnetic measurements and reflectivity. The magnetic measurements indicated that the ferrite, the ferrocarbonila, as well as hybrid mixtures showed characteristics of soft magnetic material. The addition of ferrocarbonila in all compositions showed an increase in the results of magnetic measurements and reflectivity. Best result was observed in the increase of the magnetization for the hybrid mixture of Ferrocarbonila / ferrite of NiZn calcined at 600ºC/2h. The mixture Ferrocarbonila / ferrite calcined 1000°C/2h presented better absorption of electromagnetic radiation in the microwave

Estudo das características magnéticas e absorvedoras das ferritas de nizn, niznmn, mnzn, nimg, nicuzn e nicuznmg obtidas via método do citrato precursor

Were synthesized systems Ni0,5Zn0,5Fe2O4, i0,2Zn0,5Mn0,3Fe2O4, Mn0,5Zn0,5Fe2O4, Ni0,5Mg0,5Fe2O4, Ni0,2Cu0,3Zn0,5Fe2O4 and Ni0,2Cu0,3Zn0,5Mg0,08Fe2O4, the precursors citrate method. The decomposition of the precursors was studied by thermogravimetric analysis and spectroscopy in the infrared region, the temperature of 350°C/3h. The evolution of the phases formed after calcinations at 350, 500, 900 and 1100ºC/3h was accompanied by X-ray diffraction using the Rietveld refinement to better identify the structures formed. The materials were also analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, magnetic measurements and analysis of the reflectivity of the material. The samples calcined at different temperatures showed an increase of crystallinity with increasing calcination temperature, verifying that for some compositions at temperatures above 500°C precipitates of second phase such as hematite and CuO. The compositions of manganese present in the structure diffusion processes slower due to the ionic radius of manganese is greater than for other ions substitutes, a fact that delays the stabilization of spinel structure and promotes the precipitation of second phase. The compositions presented with copper precipitation CuO phase at a temperature of 900 and 1100ºC/3h This occurs according to the literature because the concentration of copper in the structure is greater than 0.25 mol%. The magnetic measurements revealed features of a soft ferrimagnetic material, resulting in better magnetic properties for the NiZn ferrite and NiCuZnMg at high temperatures. The reflectivity measurements showed greater absorption of electromagnetic radiation in the microwave band for the samples calcined at 1100ºC/3h, which has higher crystallite size and consequently the formation of multi-domain, increasing the magnetization of the material. The results of absorption agreed with the magnetic measurements, indicating among the ferrites studied, those of NiZn and NiCuZnMg as better absorbing the incident radiation.

Síntese, caracterização de ferritas espinélio com propriedades magnéticas e absorvedoras de microondas

Were synthesized spinel-type ferrites with general formula Ni0,8Mg0.2-xMxFe2O4, where M represents the doping Mn, Co or Mn + Co simultaneously, x ranges for the values 0.02, 0.05 and 0.1. The value of x was divided by 2 in cases where M equals Mn and Co conjugates. We used the citrate precursor method and heat treatment to obtain the phases at 1100°C. The materials were characterized by XRD, TGA/ DTGA, SEM, MAV and reflectivity measurements by the method of waveguide. Powders to 350°C/3.5 h were crystalline and nanosized. According to the results this temperature all powders have a percentage of ferrite phase over 90%. The composition had the addition of Mn and Co simultaneously showed a higher percentage of secondary phase NiO, 5.8%. The TGA/DTGA curves indicate that this sample reached phase (s) crystalline (s) at lowest temperatures. The X-ray diffractograms of the samples calcined at 350°C and 1100°C were treated with the Rietveld refinament technique. The powders calcined at 1100 °C/3h in air show to be 100% except spinel phase composition with 0.02 doping. The micrographs show clusters of particles with sizes smaller than 1 μm in calcination temperature of 1100°C which agreed with the result of Rietveld refinement. In the compositions doped with Mn were higher values of magnetization (45.90 and 53.20 Am2/kg), which did not cause high microwave absorption. The theoretical calculation of magnetization (MT) was consistent with the results, considering that there was agreement between the increase of magnetization experimental and theoretical. It was observed that there was the interrelation of the final effect of absorption with the thickness of MARE, the composition of ferrimagnetic materials and in particular the specific values of frequency. The analysis shows that the reflectivity increases in the concentration of cobalt increased the frequency range and also for absorption 10.17 GHz and 84%, respectively. The best result of chemical homogeneity and the value of 2.96 x 10-2 tesla coercive field were crucial for high performance ferrite absorber with 0.1 cobalt. The Cobalt has high magnetocrystalline anisotropy, it is associated with an increased coercive field, Hc. Therefore, this property improves the results of reflectivity of spinel ferrites

Dinâmica Costeira dos Campos petrolíferos Macau/Serra, litoral setentrional do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte

This thesis describes the general behavior of the northern shore of the State of Rio Grande do Norte relating beach profile morphology with hydrodynamic and sedimentological parameters. The Macau and Serra Oil Field are inserted on this area and are under accelerated coastal erosion. At these oil fields are installed oil wells from PETROBRAS, nowadays located directly in the shoreline, under constant attacks of coastal processes (e.g. waves, tides and currents), which promote an intense morphodynamic variability of this sandy coast. The area was monitored for 24 months in three different stations (P01, P02 and P03). The methodology applied involved current techniques of beach profiles, hydrodynamical processes, remote sensing and geophysics. A synthesis of results obtained through the use of different time scales (monthly, lunar cycle, seasonal, annual) from a coastal dynamics study is presented. The average wind direction corresponded to 77ºAz (NE). The steepness of the berm and of the shoreface, as well as coastal current direction, do not present major changes, with an average of 36º for the steepness of the berm, 15º for the shoreface and 15º for the coastal current direction. This data set allows us to infer that the months of larger coastal erosion were November/2000 and April/2001, because of the largest wave parameter during this time. The months of worse coastal erosion in this area are related with the increasing wavy energy. This in turn, seems to be related to seasonal climatic variations, with the wave energy and tide currents speed increasing during months of minor precipitations (June to January). The months of worse coastal erosion were September and November, when the largest wave parameters and speed currents are measured in the area. Since these months are included on the period of minor precipitations, we related the coastal erosion to seasonal climatic variations. The results obtained during these 24 months of monitoring confirms a situation of accentuated erosion, mainly in Profile 03 (Barra do Corta-Cachorro), where the wave height, period, and coastal current speed are always larger than the values found in Profile 02 (Macau5). Probably these values are more expressive in Profile 03, because it does not present any natural structure of protection against the wave impacts, as the barrier island located at Ponta do Tubarão, or the sand banks in front of Macau5. The transport of the sediments occurs from East to West, and the sand accumulation is more pronounced on Profile 03 intertidal zone, where there are embrionary dunes in dryer months. The tidal currents speed, on the other hand, is more accentuated in the Macau5 area (Profile 02). At Ponta do Tubarão, the tidal currents presented a preferential direction for NE, at times of flood, currents and for NW, at times of ebb current; at Barra do Corta-Cachorro the direction of the currents were predominantly for NW, independent of the tide phase, coinciding with the preferential direction of the longshore current. This currents inversion at Ponta do Tubarão is attributed to the presence of the Ponta do Tubarão island barrier and by the communication channel of the lagoon with the sea. The tide currents are better observed in protected areas, as in the Ponta do Tubarão, when they present inversion in their direction accordingly to the flood and ebb tide. In open areas, as in Barra do Corta-Cachorro, the tide currents are overprinted by the longshore currents. Sediment analysis does not show important modifications in grain size related to seasonality (dry- and rainy seasons). On the foreshore and backshore zones, the sediments vary from fine to medium sand, while in the shoreface they very from fine to very sands. The grains are mostly spheres, varying from sub rounded to sub angled. Quartz is the main component alongside Feldspat and heavy minerals as accessory components. Biogenic content is also present and mainly represented by mollusks fragments. The calculated sediment transport show values around 100 m3/day. The morphodynamic studies indicated that this is a reflexive area from October to April, and intermediate from May to September. The Relative Tide Range-RTR for this area is 4 < RTR < 15, and so classified in the mixed wave-tide group. Having this exposed we can affirm that the more active natural factors in this area are the currents, followed by the tides and the winds. The anthropic factors are exclusively local and punctual (Macau and Serra Oil Field). Taking in account the economic importance of the area, as well as the intensity of coastal processes acting on this shore, it is important a continuity of the monthly environmental monitoring looking for variations on longer-period cycles. These data have been stored on the geo-referenced database of the projects MARPETRO and PETRORISCO (REDE 05), aiming to model the coastal and sea environment, susceptible to oil spills and their derivatives

Caracterização hidrodinâmica e morfo-sedimentar do estuário Potengi e áreas adjascentes: subsídios para controle e recuperação ambiental no caso de derrames de hidrocarboneto

This study presents the Environmental Sensibility Mapping to oil spillings on the Potengi estuary - RN and neighboring coastline through remote sensing data, collecting, treatment and integration of the geomorphologic, oceanographic (temperature, salinity, density, direction and intensity), meteorological (wind speed and direction) and high resolution seismic (bathymetry and sonography) data. The Potengi river estuary is located on the eastern coastline of the Rio Grande do Norte State, being inserted in the geological context for the coastal Pernambuco-Paraíba basin and spreading over 18 km; it shelters the Natal harbor zone and an oil terminal, centralizing, therefore, important oil transport operations that can cause accidental spillings. Under the oceanographic point of view, the Potengi estuary is characterized by the absence of any expressive thermic stratification, being classified as partially mixed, B type according to Pritchard (1955), and 2 type in conformity to the stratification-circulation diagram by Hansen & Rattray (1966). Two main wind systems are responsable for the formation of wave sets that occur in the area. The dynamic tide presents, in the Natal Harbor, mean amplitude in spring and quadrature tides, with around 2.8 and 2m, respectively. The mechanism of saline tide mixing was defined through the salinity which is the main parameter for the identification of this mechanism. Important variations of the salinity mean values (36.32 psu), temperature (28.11ºC) and density (22.96 kg/m3) in the estuarine waters presented features belonging to low latitude regions. The water temperature follows the air temperature variations, in the region, with expressive daily amplitudes. In this study, the identification of the estuarine bed morphology through bathymetric and sonographic analysis, had the purpose to evaluate the influence of the superficial and bottom currents for the bottom shaping. In this way, the use of the side scan sonar showed, to be very useful in the identification of the bottom morphology and its relationship with the predominant action of the tidal currents in the Potengi estuary. Besides, it showed how the sonograms can be a support to the comparison of the several patterns derived from the local hydrodynamic variations. The holocene sediments, which fill the estuarine channel, are predominantly sandy, varying from selected, sometimes silty. The sedimentation is controlled by the environmental hydrodynamic conditions, being recognized two important textural facies: Muddy Facies and Sandy Facies. The distribution of these textural facies apparently oscillates owing to the tidal cycle and flow intensity. Each one of the above mentioned data was integrated in a Geographic Information System (GIS), from which was produced the Environmental Sensibility Map to oil spillings with Coastal Sensibility Index (CSI) to the Potengi estuary. The integrated analysis of these data is essential to oil spilling contingency plans, in order to reduce the spilling environmental consequences and to make efficient the endeavours of contention and cleaning up/removal on the Natal Harbor. This study has the aim to collaborate for the increase of informations about the estuarine environment and contribute to a better management of the question: environment/polluting loads

Geologia e geomorfologia dos recifes de Maracajaú-RN e plataforma rasa adjacente

This work focuses the geological and geomorphological characterization of the inner shelf in the West Coast of the Rio Grande do Norte state, particularly the reef coral barrier offshore of Maracajaú (Maxaranguape district). If developed without the necessary concerns, tourism and entertainment activities that have been widely increased during the last five years can lead to irreversible environmental damages to the biotic and abiotic ecosystems of the region. Regarding these aspects, it is crucial the realization of a detailed study to envisage the achievement of a self-sustainable development, especially with respect to the possibilities of a rational usage of the region. This is the aim of this manuscript, which consisted of an initial stage of digital modeling of the terrain with basis on digitalization and vectorization of the Nautical map number 803 (Naval Service of Brazil, 1971). Information obtained in this phase was improved with the digital processing of small format aerial photos acquired from six flights, which were integrated to form a photomosaic of the area. The refined maps produced with the data from Nautical and aerial photo-interpretations aided to locate 9 bathymetric profiles, which provided information about the sea floor relief of the whole area. This later aided in the choosing of areas to bottom sampling that, in its turn, helped to characterize sediments present in floor of the inner shelf. Sixty-four samples collected during this work were studied by granulometrical and chemical analysis; with the later one developed in order to measure carbonate and organic matter contents. Forty-two of these samples showed carbonate content higher than 80% and organic matter in the range of 0.58% to 24.06%. With respect to grain size, these samples are in the interval between fine- to mid-grained sands. Sands with grain sizes higher than this one are also composed by carbonate carapaces such as pale yellow to red rhodolites with ellipsoidal and spheroidal shapes. During determination of the submerse features, the small format aerial photos demonstrated to be a useful methodology to aid the delineation of the sea floor topography through shallow deep waters. The bathymetry, for its turn, revealed several features at the bottom of the platform, in which the most conspicuous are undulations and morphological details of the São Roque Channel. Examination of bottom, aside from sand, yielded the identification of bivalves, ostracods, fragments of bryozoans, spikes of sponges, spines of echinoderms, operculum of gastropods and foraminifers. From the above it is concluded that the multi-methodological approach developed in this study worked efficiently, permitting the geomorphological and environmental characterization of the inner shelf of the North Maracajaú

Caracterização morfológica e sedimentologica da plataforma, continental brasileira adjacente aos municípios de Fortim, Aracati e Icapuí- CE

The study area is located on the Brazilian Continental Shelf adjacent to Ceará State, inserted in the submerged Potiguar Basin. This area was submitted to extensional efforts during Upper Cretaceous, associated to the begining of the rifting that resulted in African and South American Continent separation. The main goal of this research was to better understand the sedimentary and geomorphological characteristics of the continental shelf adjacent to Fortim, Aracati and Icapuí (Ceará State). The used data base included geophysical (sides scan sonar and bathymetry studies) and sedimentological survey, associated to satellite image processing and interpretation. Inferences about suspended material and longshore drift was possible using satellite images, and differente bedforms were characterized such as: different kinds of dunes (longitudinal, cross and oblique), bioclastic banks, paleochannels, flat and rock bottom. The researched area comprehended about 2509,13 km2, where 6 different sedimentary facies, based on sediment composition and texture, could be recognized, such as: Bioclastic Sand, Siliciclastic Sand, Biosiliciclastic Sand, Bioclastic gravel, Biosiliciclastic sand with granule and gravel, and Silicibioclastic sand with granule and gravel. The integration of bathymetric, satellite image, side scan sonar and sedimentological data allow us a better characterization of this continental shelf area, as to advance in the knowledge of the continental shelf of the state of Ceara, a very important area to the oil industry because of its potential exploration and e exploitation, and to environmental survey as well

Caracterização de processos morfodinâmicos e hidrodinâmicos do cinturão lacustre meridional da Reserva Biológica do Lago Pirituba, Amapá

The Amapá State has an important natural lake system, known as The Amapá Lakes Region . Most of these lakes are on the southern part of Amapá s coastal plain, which has 300 km of extension and it s composed by holocenic sediments deposited at the northern part of Amazon River to the Orange Cape located on the northern part of Amapá state. This region is under influence of the Amazon River discharge which is the largest liquid discharge of about 209.000 m³/s and biggest sediment budget discharged on the ocean in the order 6.108 ton per day. The climate is influenced by the Intertropical Convergence Zone and El Niño Southern Oscillation which act mainly under precipitation, nebulosity, local rivers and tidal hidrology. In this region lake belts are Ocidental, Oriental and Meridional Lake Belts. The last one is formed by the by the lakes Comprido de Cima, Botos, Bacia, Lodão, Ventos, Mutuco and Comprido de Baixo. These lakes are the closest to the Araguari River and are characterized by pelitic sedimentation associated with fluvial and estuarine flood plains under influence of tides. The lakes are interconnected, suffer influence of flood pulses from the Tartarugal, Tartarugalzinho and Araguari rivers and the hydrodynamic and morphodynamic know edge is poor. Volume and area reduction, natural eutrophication, anthophic influence, hidrodynamic alterations, morphological changes and are factors which can contribute to the closing of such lakes on the Meridional Lake Belt. This belt is inside the boundaries of the Biological Reserve of Piratuba Lake, created in 1980 for integral protection. Due to the fragility of the environment together with the poor knowledge of the system and with the study area relevancy it is necessary to know the hydrodynamic and geoenvironmental processes. This work aims the characterization of morphodynamic and hydrodynamic processes in order to understand the geoambiental context of the Meridional Lake Belt, from the Comprido de Baixo Lake to the dos Ventos Lake, including the Tabaco Igarape. Methodology was based on the hydrodynamic data acquisition: liquid discharge (acoustic method), tides, bathymetry and the interpretation of multitemporal remote sensing images, integrated in a Geographic Information System (GIS). By this method charts of the medium liquid discharges of Lake Mutuco and Tabacco Igarape the maximum velocity of flow were estimated in: 1.1 m/s, 1.6 m/s and 1.6 m/s (rainy season) and 0.6 m/s, 0.6 m/s and 0.7 m/s (dry period), the maximum flow in: 289 m³/s, 297 m³/s and 379 m³/s (rainy season) and 41 m³/s , 79 m³/s and 105 m³/s (dry period), respectively. From the interpretation of multitemporal satellite images, maps were developed together with the analysis of the lakes and Tobaco Igarape evolution from 1972 to 2008, and were classified according to the degree of balance in the area: stable areas, eutrophic areas, areas of gain, and eroded areas. Troughout analysis of the balance of areas, it was possible to quantify the volume of lake areas occupied by aquatic macrophytes. The study sought to understand the hydrodynamic and morphodynamic processes occurring in the region, contributing to the elucidation of the processes which cause and/or favor geoenvironmental changes in the region; all such information is fundamental to making the management of the area and further definition of parameters for environmental monitoring and contributing to the development of the management plan of the Biological Reserve of Lake Piratuba. The work activities is a part of the Project "Integration of Geological, geophysical and geochemical data to Paleogeographic rebuilding of Amazon Coast, from the Neogene to the Recent

Caracterização geomorfológica e modelagem de dados espaciais na plataforma continental rasa do RN nos limites da folha Touros

This work focuses the geomorphological characterization and spatial data modeling in the shallow continental shelf within the Folha Touros limits (SB-25-CV-II), based on bathymetric data analysis and remote sensing products interpretation. The Rio Grande do Norte state is located in northeastern Brazil and the work area is located at the transition region between the eastern and northern portions of their coast. The bathymetric surveys were conduced between march and may 2009, using a 10 meters long vessel and 0.70 meters draught, equipped with global positioning system and echo sounder (dual beam, 200KHz , 14°). The fieldwork resulted in 44 bathymetric profiles espaced 1.5 km and 30 km average length. The bathymetric data amount were 111,200 points and were navigated 1395.7 km within na area about 1,850 km2. The bathymetric data were corrected for the tide level, vessel draught and were subsequently entered into a geographic information system for further processing. Analysis of remote sensing products was carried out using Landsat 7/ETM + band 1, from november 1999. The image was used for visualization and mapping submerged features. The results showed the presence of geomorphological features within the study area. Were observed, from the analysis of local bathymetry and satellite image, seven types of geomorphological features. The channels, with two longitudinals channels (e. g. San Roque and Cioba channels) and other perpendicular to the coast (e. g. Touros, Pititinga and Barretas). Coastal reef formations (Maracajaú, Rio do Fogo and Cioba). Longitudinal waves, described in the literature as longitudinal dunes. The occurrence of a transverse dune field. Another feature observed was the oceanic reefs, an rock alignment parallel to the coast. Were identified four riscas , from north to south: risca do Liso, Gameleira, Zumbi, Pititinga (the latter being described for the first time). Finally, an oceanic terrace was observed in the deepest area of study. Image interpretation corroborated with the in situ results, enabling visualization and description for all features in the region. The results were analysed in an integrating method (using the diferent methodologies applied in this work) and it was essential to describe all features in the area. This method allowed us to evaluate which methods generated better results to describe certain features. From these results was possible to prove the existence of submerged features in the eastern shallow continental shelf of Rio Grande do Norte. In this way, the conclusions was (1) this study contributed to the provision of new information about the area in question, particularly with regard to data collection in situ depths, (2) the method of data collection and interpretation proves to be effective because, through this, it was possible to visualize and interpret the features present in the study area and (3) the interpretation and discussion of results in an integrated method, using different methodologies, can provide better results