Geologia, Geocronologia, Geoquímica e Petrogênese das Rochas Ígneas Cretácicas da Província Magmática do Cabo e suas Relações com as Unidades Sedimentares da Bacia de Pernambuco (NE do Brasil)

The area studied forms a thin NNE-directed belt situated south of Recife town (Pernambuco state), northeastern Brazil. Geologically, it comprises the Pernambuco Basin (PB), which is limited by the Pernambuco Lineament to the north, the Maragogi high to the south and the Pernambuco Alagoas massif to the west, all of them with Precambrian age. This thesis reports the results obtained for the Cabo Magmatic Province (CMP), aiming the characterization of the geology, stratigraphy, geochronology, geochemistry and petrogenesis of the Cretaceous igneous rocks presented in the PB. The PB is composed of the Cabo Formation (rift phase) at the base (polymictic conglomerates, sandstones, shales), an intermediate unit, the Estiva Formation (marbles and argillites), and, at the top, the Algodoais Formation (monomictic conglomerates, sandstones, shales). The CMP is represented by trachytes, rhyolites, pyroclastics (ignimbrites), basalts / trachy-andesites, monzonites and alkali-feldspar granite, which occur as dykes, flows, sills, laccoliths and plugs. Field observations and well descriptions show that the majority of the magmatic rocks have intrusive contacts with the Cabo Formation, although some occurrences are also suggestive of synchronism between volcanism and siliciclastic sedimentation. 40Ar/39Ar and zircon fission tracks for the magmatic rocks indicate an average age of 102 r 1 Ma for the CMP. This age represents an expressive event in the province and is detected in all igneous dated materials. It is considered as a minimum age (Albian) for the magmatic episode and the peak of the rift phase in the PB. The 40Ar/39Ar dates are about 10-14 Ma younger than published palynologic ages for this basin. Geochemically, the CMP may be divided in two major groups; i) a transitional to alkaline suite, constituted by basalts to trachy-andesites (types with fine-grained textures and phenocrysts of sanidine and plagioclase), trachytes (porphyrytic texture, with phenocrysts of sanidine and plagioclase) and monzonites; ii) a alkaline suite, highly fractionated, acidic volcano-plutonic association, formed by four subtypes (pyroclastic flows ignimbrites, fine-to medium-grained rhyolites, a high level granite, and later rhyolites). These four types are distinguished essentially by field aspects and petrographic and textural features. Compatible versus incompatible trace element concentrations and geochemical modeling based on both major and trace elements suggest the evolution through low pressure fractional crystallization for trachytes and other acidic rocks, whereas basalts / trachy-andesites and monzonites evolved by partial melting from a mantle source. Sr and Nd isotopes reveal two distinct sources for the rocks of the CMP. Concerning the acidic ones, the high initial Sr ratios (ISr = 0.7064-1.2295) and the negative HNd (-0.43 to -3.67) indicate a crustal source with mesoproterozoic model ages (TDM from 0.92 to 1.04 Ga). On the other hand, the basic to intermediate rocks have low ISr (0.7031-0.7042) and positive HNd (+1.28 to +1.98), which requires the depleted mantle as the most probable source; their model ages are in the range 0.61-0.66 Ga. However, the light rare earth enrichment of these rocks and partial melting modeling point to an incompatible-enriched lherzolitic mantle with very low quantity of garnet (1-3%). This apparent difference between geochemical and Nd isotopes may be resolved by assuming that the metasomatizing agent did not obliterate the original isotopic characteristics of the magmas. A 2 to 5% partial melting of this mantle at approximately 14 kbar and 1269oC account very well the basalts and trachy-andesites studied. By using these pressure and temperatures estimates for the generation of the basaltic to trachy-andesitic magma, it is determined a lithospheric stretching (E) of 2.5. This E value is an appropriated estimate for the sub-crustal stretching (astenospheric or the base of the lithosphere?) region under the Pernambuco Basin, the crustal stretching probably being lower. The integration of all data obtained in this thesis permits to interpret the magmatic evolution of the PB as follows; 1st) the partial melting of a garnet-bearing lherzolite generates incompatible-enriched basaltic, trachy-andesitic and monzonitic magmas; 2nd) the underplating of these basaltic magmas at the base of the continental crust triggers the partial melting of this crust, and thus originating the acidic magmas; 3rd) concomitantly with the previous stage, trachytic magmas were produced by fractionation from a monzonitic to trachy-andesitic liquid; 4th) the emplacement of the several magmas in superficial (e.g. flows) or sub-superficial (e.g. dykes, sills, domes, laccoliths) depths was almost synchronically, at about 102 r 1 Ma, and usually crosscutting the sedimentary rocks of the Cabo Formation. The presence of garnet in the lherzolitic mantle does not agree with pressures of about 14 kbar for the generation of the basaltic magma, as calculated based on chemical parameters. This can be resolved by admitting the astenospheric uplifting under the rift, which would place deep and hot material (mantle plume?) at sub-crustal depths. The generation of the magmas and their subsequent emplacement would be coupled with the crustal rifting of the PB, the border (NNE-SSW directed) and transfer (NW-SE directed) faults serving as conduits for the magma emplacement. Based on the E parameter and the integration of 40Ar/39Ar and palynologic data it is interpreted a maximum duration of 10-14 Ma for the rift phase (Cabo Formation clastic sedimentation and basic to acidic magmatism) of the PB

Limites e evolução geodinâmica do Sistema Jaguaribeano, Província Borborema, Nordeste do Brasil

The studied area is geologically located in the Northern Domain of the Borborema Province (Northeast Brazil), limited to the south by the Patos shear zone. Terranes of the Jaguaribeano system are dominant, flanked by the Piranhas (E and S sides) and Central Ceará (NE side) terranes. Its basement comprises gneiss -migmatite terrains of Paleoproterozoic to Archean age (2.6 to 1.9 Ga old), overprinted by neoproterozoic to cambrian tectonotherma l events. Narrow supracrustal belts ( schist belts) display a 1.6 to 1.8 Ga age, as shown by whole - rock Rb-Sr and zircon U-Pb and Pb/Pb dates in acid metavolcanics which dominate in the lower section of these sequences, and in coeval metaplutonics (granitic augen gneisses). From the stratigraphic point of view, three Staterian belts are recognized: 1. Orós Belt - made up by the Orós Group, subdivided in the Santarém (predominantly pure to impure quartzites, micaschists and metacarbonates) and Campo Alegre (metandesites, metabasalts, metarhyolites and metarhyodacites, interlayered with metatuffs and metasediments) formations, and by the Serra do Deserto Magmatic Suite (granitic augen gneisses). 2. Jaguaribe Belt - its lithostratigrahic-lithodemic framework is similar to the one of the Orós Belt, however with a greater expression of the volcano -plutonic components (Campo Alegre Formation and Serra do Deserto Magmatic Suite). The Peixe Gordo Sequence, separately described, is also related to this belt and contain s metasedimentary, metavolcanic (with subordinated volcanoclastics) and metaplutonic units. The first one correlated to the Orós Group and the latter the Serra do Deserto Magmatic Suite. 3. Western Potiguar Belt - represented by the Serra de São José Gro up, subdivided in the Catolezinho (biotite -amphibole gneisses with intercalations of metacarbonates, calcsilicate rocks, amphibolites and quartzite beds to the top) and Minhuins (quartzites, micaschists, metaconglomerates, calcsilicate rocks, acid to the b asic metavolcanics and metatuffs) formations. Its late Paleoproterozoic (Staterian) age was established by a Pb/Pb date on zircons from a granitic orthogneiss of the Catolezinho Formation. The petrographic characteristics and sedimentary structures of the Santarém Formation of the Orós Group point to deltaic to shallow marine depositional systems, overlain by deep water deposits (turbidites). The geodynamic setting of this region encompassed a large depositional basin, probably extending to the east of the Portalegre shear zone and west of the Senador Pompeu shear zone, with possible equivalents in the Jucurutu Formation of the Seridó Belt and in the Ceará Group of central Ceará. The Arneiróz Belt, west Ceará, displays some stratigraphic features and granito ids geochemically akin to the ones of the Orós Belt. The evolutionary setting started with an extensional phase which was more active in the eastern part of this domain (Western Potiguar and part of the Jaguaribe belts), where the rudite and psamite sedime ntation relates to a fluviatile rift environment which evolved to a prograding deltaic system to the west (Orós Group). The basaltic andesitic and rhyolitic volcanics were associated to this extensional phase. During this magmatic event, acid magmas also crystallized at plutonic depths. The Orós Group illustrates the environmental conditions in the western part of this domain. Later on, after a large time gap (1.6 to 1.1 Ga), the region was subjected to an extensional deformational episode marked by 900 Ma old (Sm-Nd data) basic rocks, possibly in connection with the deposition of the Cachoeirinha Group south of the Patos shear zone. In the 800 to 500 Ma age interval, the region was affected by important deformational and metamorphic events coupled with in trusion of granitic rocks of variable size (dykes to batholiths), related to the Brasiliano/Pan -African geotectonic cycle. These events produced structural blocks which differentiate, one from the other, according to the importance of anatectic mobilizatio n, proportion of high-grade supracrustals and the amount of neoproterozoic -cambrian granitoid intrusions. On this basis, a large portion of the Jaguaretama Block/Terrane is relatively well preserved from this late overprint. The border belts of the Jagua retama Block (Western Potiguar and Arneiroz) display kyanite-bearing (medium pressure) mineral associations, while in the inner part of the block there is a north-south metamorphic zoning marked by staurolite or sillimanite peak metamorphic conditions. Regarding the deformations of the Staterian supracrustal rocks, second and third phases were the most important, diagnosed as having developed in a progressive tectonic process. In the general, more vigorous conditions of PT are related to the interval tardi - phase 2 early-phase 3, whose radiometric ages and regional structuring indicators places it in the Brasiliano/Pan-African Cycle. In the Staterian geodynamic setting of Brazilian Platform , these sequences are correlated to the lower Espinhaço Supergroup (p.ex., Rio dos Remédios and Paraguaçu groups, a paleproterozoic rift system in the São Francisco Craton), the Araí and Serra da Mesa groups (north of Goiás, in the so -called Goiás Central Massif), and the Uatumã Group (in the Amazonian Craton). Granitic ( augen gneisses) plutonics are also known from these areas, as for example the A-type granites intrusive in the Araí and Serra da Mesa groups, dated at 1.77 Ga. Gravimetric and geological data place the limits of the Jaguaribeano System (terranes) along the Senador Pompeu Shear Zone (western border) and the Portalegre- Farias Brito shear zone (eastern and southern). However, the same data area not conclusive as regards the interpretation of those structures as suture of the terrane docking process. The main features of those shear zones and of involved lothological associations, appear to favour an intracontinental transpressional -transcurrent regime, during Neoproterozoic-Cambrian times, marking discontinuities along which different crustal blocks were laterally dispersed. Inside of this orogenic system and according to the magnetic data (total field map), the most important terrane boundary appears to be the Jaguaribe shear zone. The geochronological data, on some tectonostratigraphic associations (partly represented by the Ceará and Jucurutu groups), still at a preliminary level, besides the lack of granitic zonation and other petrotectonic criteria, do not allow to propose tectonic terrane assembly diagrams for the studied area

Uso do GPR na geração de modelos estáticos 3D para o planejamento de lavra de minerais pesados depositados em dunas eólicas

This project was developed as a partnership between the Laboratory of Stratigraphical Analyses of the Geology Department of UFRN and the company Millennium Inorganic Chemicals Mineração Ltda. This company is located in the north end of the paraiban coast, in the municipal district of Mataraca. Millennium has as main prospected product, heavy minerals as ilmenita, rutilo and zircon presents in the sands of the dunes. These dunes are predominantly inactive, and overlap the superior portion of Barreiras Formation rocks. The mining happens with the use of a dredge that is emerged at an artificial lake on the dunes. This dredge removes sand dunes of the bottom lake (after it disassembles of the lake borders with water jets) and directs for the concentration plant, through piping where the minerals are then separate. The present work consisted in the acquisition external geometries of the dunes, where in the end a 3D Static Model could be set up of these sedimentary deposits with emphasis in the behavior of the structural top of Barreiras Formation rocks (inferior limit of the deposit). The knowledge of this surface is important in the phase of the plowing planning for the company, because a calculation mistake can do with that the dredge works too close of this limit, taking the risk that fragments can cause obstruction in the dredge generating a financial damage so much in the equipment repair as for the stopped days production. During the field stages (accomplished in 2006 and 2007) topographical techniques risings were used with Total Station and Geodesic GPS as well as shallow geophysical acquisitions with GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar). It was acquired almost 10,4km of topography and 10km of profiles GPR. The Geodesic GPS was used for the data geopositioning and topographical rising of a traverse line with 630m of extension in the stage of 2007. The GPR was shown a reliable method, ecologically clean, fast acquisition and with a low cost in relation to traditional methods as surveys. The main advantage of this equipment is obtain a continuous information to superior surface Barreiras Formation rocks. The static models 3D were elaborated starting from the obtained data being used two specific softwares for visualization 3D: GoCAD 2.0.8 and Datamine. The visualization 3D allows a better understanding of the Barreiras surface behavior as well as it makes possible the execution of several types of measurements, favoring like calculations and allowing that procedures used for mineral extraction is used with larger safety

Caracterização de minerais pesados ao longo do Rio Piranhas-Açu/RN distribuição e proveniência

This dissertation deals with the characterization, distribution and provenience of heavy minerals along the Piranhas-Açu River, from the City of Parelhas (Seridó River) to your mouth at the City of Macau-RN. Many heavy minerals species were recorded in this study: clinoamphibole, epidote (including zoisite), garnet, sillimanite, tourmaline, staurolite, andalusite, zircon, rutile, augite, ilmenite, hematite and magnetite. Major transparent minerals, those forming more than 5% of some assemblages, are hornblende, epidote, tourmaline, staurolite and zircon. Predominant opaque mineral is ilmenite. Six assemblages were identified along the river: (i) Garnet-hornblende-tourmaline with sillimanite, when cutting rocks of the Seridó Formation; (ii) Hornblende-garnet-zircon, when crossing rocks of the Caicó gnaisse-migmatitic Complex; (iii) Hornblende-zircon-epidote-staurolite, when draining rocks of the Jucurutu Formation; (iv) Hornblende-zircon-epidote, when cutting rocks of the Açu Formation; (v) Hornblende-zircon-staurolite, on the lowermost Açu River, when crossing limestones of the Jandaíra Formation and (vi) Zircon-tourmaline-staurolite in the Açu River mouth (Cenozoic rocks) where coastal process dominate. Mineral ratios that reflect differences in grain shape, density, and selective chemical decomposition were used in an attempt to isolate the effects of source and process as controls of mineral variability. Reworking of the sediments was regionally effective in selective sorting; the more equant minerals (e.g. epidote) and heavier minerals (e.g. opaques) had a higher probability of being selected for permanent deposition during reworking. The processes of selective decomposition stand out at the river mouth. A priori knowledge of provenance, associated with the assemblage distribution and effects of process were utilized to the interpretations, that points to the follow provenances: hornblende comes from micashists of the Seridó Formation, orthognaisses and amphibolites of the Caico Complex, paragnaisses and paranphibolites of the Jucurutu Formation and granites intrusions; epidote comes from paragnaisses and calciosilicatics of the Jucurutu Formation, granites intrusions (-Npy3al/ca and -Npy3mz, gravels deposits and Açu Formation; Andalusite and staurolite come from the Seridó Formation; Sillimanite, tourmaline and garnet come from micashists of the Seridó Formation, as well as from quartzites of the Equador Formation; Zircon comes from Precambrian rocks (pink and prismatic zircon) and from sediments of several cycles (round zircon); Opaques come from all rocks cutted for the Piranhas-Açu River; Rutile comes from metamorphic rocks, in general; Augite comes from the Ceará-Mirim, Serra do Cuó and Macau volcanisms. The texture of gravels deposits reveals a sediment transport mechanisms by traction-current processes, together with a diagenetic clay matrix suggests a hot-humid environments for deposition. The presence of unstable heavy minerals assemblages, as well as pebbles of different composition and degrees of rounding and esfericity, indicate more than one source. The occurrence of calcio/alkaline granites suites, in areas closed to the gravel deposits, suggests that these intrusions are the main source of sediments. This could explain for instance, the significant amounts of epidote and presence of unstable heavy minerals (e.g. hornblende). The analyses of heavy minerals also show significante variability between the modern (Piranhas-Açu) and ancestral (Açu Formation) river sediments. In general, these variations reflect relatively higher unstable and lower stable heavy minerals contents of the modern Piranhas-Açu sediments. The absence of significant compositional differences probably reflects uniform weathering conditions

Petrologia do magmatismo tardi-brasiliano no Maciço São José de Campestre(RN/PB), com ênfase no Plúton Alcalino Caxexa

The area studied is located on the north-easternmost portion of the Borborema Province, on the so-called São José de Campestre Massif, States of RN and PB, Northeast Brazil. Field relations and petrographic, geochemical and isotope data permitted the separation of five suites of plutonic rocks: alkali-feldspar granite (Caxexa Pluton), which constitutes the main subject of this dissertation, amphibole-biotite granite (Cabeçudo Pluton), biotite microgranite, gabbronorite to monzonite (Basic to Intermediate Suite) and aluminous granitoid. The Caxexa Pluton is laterally associated to the Remígio Pocinhos Shear Zone, with its emplacement along the mylonitic contact between the gneissic basement and the micashists. This pluton corresponds to a syntectonic intrusion elongated in the N-S direction, with about 50 km2 of outcropping surface. It is composed exclusively of alkali-feldspar granites, having clinopyroxene (aegirine-augite and hedenbergite), andradite-rich garnet, sphene and magnetite. It is classified geochemically as high silica rocks (>70 % wt), metaluminous to slightly peraluminous (normative corindon < 1%), with high total alkalis (>10% wt), Sr, iron number (#Fe=90-98) and agpaitic index (0.86-1.00), and positive europium anomaly. The Cabeçudo Pluton is composed of porphyritic rocks, commonly containing basic to intermediate magmatic enclaves often with mingling and mixing textures. Petrographically, it presents k-feldspar and plagioclase phenocrysts as the essential minerals, besides the accessories amphibole, biotite, sphene and magnetite. It is metaluminous and shows characteristics transitional between the calc-alkaline and alkaline series (or monzonitic subalkaline). Its REE content is greater than those ones of the Caxexa Pluton and biotite microgranite, and all spectra have negative europium anomalies. The biotite microgranites occur mainly on the central and eastern portion of the mapped area, as dykes and sheets with decimetric thickness, hosted principally in orthogneisses and micashists. Their field relationships as regards the Caxexa and Cabeçudo plutons suggested that they are late-tectonic intrusions. They are typically biotite granites, having also sphene, amphibole, allanite, opaques and zircon in the accessory assemblage. Geochemically they can be distinguished from the porphyritic types because the biotite microgranites are more evolved, peraluminous, and have more fractionated REE spectra. The Basic to Intermediate rocks form a volumetrically expressive elliptical, kilometric scale body on the Southeast, as well as sheets in micashists. They are classified as gabbronorites to monzonites, with the two pyroxenes and biotite, besides subordinated amounts of amphibole, sphene, ilmenite and allanite. These rocks do not show a well-defined geochemical trend, however they may possibly represent a monzonitic (shoshonitic) series. Their REE spectra have negative europium anomalies and REE contents greater than the other suites. The aluminous granitoids are volumetrically restricted, and have been observed in close association with migmatised micashists bordering the gabbronorite pluton. They are composed of almandine-rich garnet, andalusite, biotite and muscovite, and are akin to the peraluminous suites. Rb-Sr (whole rock) and Sm-Nd (whole-rock and mineral) isotopes furnished a minimum estimate of the crystallization (578±14 Ma) and the final resetting age of the Rb-Sr system (536±4 Ma) in the Caxexa Pluton. The aluminous granitoid has a Sm-Nd garnet age similar to that one of the Caxexa Pluton, that is 574±67 Ma. The strong interaction of shear bands and pegmatite dykes favoured the opening of the Rb-Sr system for the Caxexa Pluton and biotite microgranite. The amphibole-plagioclase geothermometer and the Al-in amphibole geobarometer indicate minimum conditions of 560°C and 7 kbar for the Cabeçudo Pluton, 730°C and 6 kbar for the microgranite and 743°C and 5 kbar for the basic to intermediate suite. The Zr saturation geothermometer reveals temperatures of respectively 855°C, 812°C and 957°C for those suites, whereas the Caxexa Pluton shows temperatures of around 757°C. The Caxexa, Cabeçudo and microgranites suites crystallized under high fO2 (presence of magnetite). On the other hand, the occurrence of ilmenite suggests less oxidant conditions in the basic to intermediate suite. Field relations demonstrate the intrusive character of the granitoids into a tectonically relatively stable continental crust. This is corroborated by petrographic and geochemical data, which suggest a late- or post-collisional tectonic context. It follows that the generation and emplacement of those granitoid suites is related to the latest events of the Brasiliano orogeny. Finally, the relationships between eNd (600 Ma), TDM (Nd) and initial Sr isotope ratio (ISr) do not permit to define the precise sources of the granitoids. Nevertheless, trace element modelling and isotopic comparisons suggest the participation of the metasomatised mantle in the generation of these suites, probably modified by different degrees of crustal contamination. In this way, a metasomatised mantle would not be a particular characteristic of the Neoproterozoic lithosphere, but a remarkable feature of this portion of the Borborema Province since Archaean and Paleoproterozoic times.

Petrologia do plúton granitico serra verde, porção lestre do domínio seridó

The study area is located at the eastern-central portion of the Seridó Belt, on the interface between the Seridó Group Metasediments and the crystalline basement rocks of the Caicó Complex (RN). Petrographic and geochemical data allow us to define aspects related to the genesis and evolution of the Serra Verde Pluton magmas, which composes the goal of this dissertation The Serra Verde Pluton is a stock with outcropping area of about 25 km², which is intrusive into metasedimentary sequence and the basement gneisses. The pluton intrusion is sintectonic to the Brasiliano event, elongated along the NE direction, developing a cornue geometry. The rock is a monzogranite mainly composed by K-feldspar, plagioclase and quartz, which usually compose more than 85% of the modal analisys. The main mafic mineral is the biotite, while amphibole, sphene, epidote, opaque minerals, allanite, zircon and apatite occur as accessory minerals. It features still a latemagmatic paragenesis composed by chlorite, granular epidote, carbonates and muscovite, developed through the percolation of late CO2 and H2O rich fluids. Chemically, the Serra Verde Pluton rocks may be classified as metaluminous, of calc-alkaline affiliation, sometimes showing trondhjemític characteristics, with high Na2O (>4,5%), Sr (>400ppm) and Ba (>800ppm) and low K2O (≤3,0%), MgO (<1,0%), TiO2 (<0,5%), Rb (<90ppm), Y (≤16ppm) and Zr (≤13ppm). Micropetrographic evidences (mineral assembly and microtextures) indicate that the magma evolution occurred in moderated to high fO2 conditions, above the FMQ buffer. Thermo-barometric data obtained by minor elements geochemistry and the CIPW data, suggest a final/minimal pressure crystallization for the Serra Verde Pluton samples of about 3 to 5 kbar, liquidus temperature around 800o C, solidus temperature between 680o and 660o C. This data is compatible with those observed by many authors for the Neoproterozoic granites of the Seridó Belt. The group of analyzed data (Petrographic, microtextural and geochemical), suggests that the dominant process of the generation and evolution of the Serra Verde Granite magma was the fractional crystallization, probably from basement quartz-dioritic and tonalitic orthogneisses source

Diagênese e proveniência dos arenitos da tectonossequência Rifte na bacias do Rio do Peixe Araripe, NE do Brasil

This thesis presents diagenetic and provenance studies of sandstones belonging to the Rift Tectonosequence of the Rio do Peixe and Araripe basins. These basins are located in the interior of Northeast Brazil aligned along the Trend-Cariri Potiguar. Their origin is related to the Early Cretaceous rifting event. In terms of lithostratigraphy, the studied section corresponds to the Antenor Navarro, Sousa and Rio Piranhas formations of the Rio do Peixe Basin, and the Missão Velha and Abaiara formations of the Araripe Basin, outcropping in the central-west Cariri Valley. A facies analysis was performed and identified nine distinct sedimentary facies for the Rio de Peixe Basin and ten sedimentary facies for the Araripe Basin, individualized according to the different rock types and their sedimentary structures. These facies associations to led paleoenvironments interpretations and their vertical succession allowed understanding the evolution of the depositional setting during the cronostratigraphic interval studied in these basins. Based on petrographic and diagenetic studies it was possible to characterize the texture and mineralogy of these sandstones, identifying their diagenetic stage and the grain framework provenance. The petrographic study allowed to classify the lithotypes studied in both basins as quartzarenites. Such quartzarenites, in general, are rich in quartz, feldspar and lithic fragment grains, and at accessory levels tourmaline, sphene, zircon, epidote and other mineralogy. The diagenetic history of the studied rocks proved to be very complex, being characterized by a variety mineral of phases that succeeded each other during the eo, meso and telodiagenetic stages. According to the studied formation and the textural and compositional aspects of the rocks, some processes were more or less active, while others were even absent. The eodiagenetic stage is marked by mechanical infiltration of clays and early mechanical compactional processes. The mesodiagenetic phase is characterized by continuity of the mechanical compaction and the beggining of chemical compaction, with quartz and feldspar overgrowths, precipitation of kaolinite, alteration of framework grains to chlorite and illite, and finally, precipitation of opaque minerals. The telodiagenetic stage is represented by the oxidation of some grains, matrix and cements. For the provenance analysis of the studied sandstones were used ternary diagrams whose vertices correspond to the percentage of quartz, feldspar and lithic fragments. This study allowed identifies the source area of these rocks as continental blocks. It was also possible, based on the chemical stability and mineralogical maturity of the rocks, recognize that the Antenor Navarro Formation of the Rio do Peixe Basin, and the upper section of the Missão Velha Formation of Araripe Basin have less maturity and stability when compared with the other studied formations

Petrologia do plúton Serra da Macambira, neoproterozóico da faixa seridó, província Borborema (NE do Brasil)

The final stage of Brasiliano/Pan-African orogeny in the Borborema Province is marked by widespread plutonic magmatism. The Serra da Macambira Pluton is an example of such plutonism in Seridó Belt, northeastern Borborema Province, and it is here subject of geological, petrographic, textural, geochemical and petrogenetic studies. The pluton is located in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, intrusive into Paleoproterozoic orthogneisses of the Caicó Complex and Neoproterozoic metassupracrustal rocks of the Seridó Group. Based upon intrusion/inclusion field relationships, mineralogy and texture, the rocks are classified as follows: intermediate enclaves (quartz-bearing monzonite and biotite-bearing tonalite), porphyritic monzogranite, equigranular syenogranite to monzogranite, and late granite and pegmatite dykes. Porphyritic granites and quartz-bearing monzonites represent mingling formed by the injection of an intermediate magma into a granitic one, which had already started crystallization. Both rocks are slightly older than the equigranular granites. Quartz-bearing monzonite has K-feldspar, plagioclase, biotite, hornblende and few quartz, meanwhile biotite-bearing tonalite are rich in quartz, poor in K-feldspar and hornblende is absent. Porphyritic and equigranular granites display mainly biotite and rare hornblende, myrmekite and pertitic textures, and zoned plagioclase pointing out to the relevance of fractional crystallization during magma evolution. Such granites have Rare Earth Elements (REE) pattern with negative Eu anomaly and light REE enrichment when compared to heavy REE. They are slight metaluminous to slight peraluminous, following a high-K calc-alkaline path. Petrogenesis started with 27,5% partial melting of Paleoproterozoic continental crust, generating an acid hydrous liquid, leaving a granulitic residue with orthopyroxene, plagioclase (An40-50), K-feldspar, quartz, epidote, magnetite, ilmenite, apatite and zircon. The liquid evolved mainly by fractional crystallization (10-25%) of plagioclase (An20), biotite and hornblende during the first stages of magmatic evolution. Granitic dykes are hololeucocratic with granophyric texture, indicating hypabissal crystallization and REE patterns similar to A-Type granites. Preserved igneous textures, absence or weak imprint of ductile tectonics, association with mafic to intermediate enclaves and alignment of samples according to monzonitic (high-K calcalkaline) series all indicate post-collisional to post-orogenic complexes as described in the literature. Such interpretation is supported by trace element discrimination diagrams that place the Serra da Macambira pluton as late-orogenic, probably reflecting the vanishing stages of the exhumation and collapse of the Brasiliano/Pan-African orogen.

Caracterização geológica, geoquímica e geocronológica da suíte plutônica enoproterozóica da região de Serrinha, porção centro-leste do maciço São José de Campestre, sudeste do RN

The of Serrinha plutonic suite, northeastern portion of the Borborema Province (NE Brazil), is characterized by a voluminous and diversified magmatism of Neoproterozoic age, intrusive in the Archean to Paleoproterozoic gneissic-migmatitic basement of the São José de Campestre massif. Field relations and petrographic and geochemical data allowed us to individualize different lithologic types among this plutonic suite, which is represented by intermediate to mafic enclaves, porphyritic diorites, porphyritic granitoids, porphyritic granodiorites, microporphyritic granites and dykes/sheets of microgranite. The intermediate-to-mafic enclaves occur associated with porphyritic granitoids, showing mixture textures. The porphyrytic diorites occur as isolated bodies, generally associated with intermediate-to-mafic enclaves and locally as enclaves within porphyritic granites. The granodiorites represent mixing between an intermediate to mafic magma with an acidic one. The micropophyritic granites occur as isolated small bodies, generally deformed, while the microgranite dykes/sheets crosscut all the previous granitoids. A U-Pb zircon age of 576 + 3 Ma was obtained for the Serrinha granite. This age is interpreted as age of the peak of the regional ductile deformational event (D3) and of the associated the E-W Rio Jacu shear zone, which control the emplacement of the Neoproterozoic syntectonic plutons. The porphyrytic granitoids show monzogranitic composition, transitional between peraluminous and metaluminous types, typically of the high potassium subalkaline-calc-alkaline series. The intermediate-to-mafic enclaves present vary from quartz diorite to tonalite/granodiorite, with metaluminous, shoshonitic affinity. The diorites are generally quartz-monzodiorite in composition, with metaluminous, subalkaline affinity. They display coarse-grained, inequigranular, porphyrytic texture, with predominance of plagioclase phenocrystals immersed in a matrix composed of biotite and pyroxenes. The microporphyrytic granites are essentially monzogranites of fine- to medium-grained texture, whereas microgranite dikes/sheets varying from monzogranites to syenogranites, with fine to media texture, equigranular. The diversified magmatism occurring at a relatively small surface associated with shear zones, suggests lithospheric dimensions for such structures, with magma extractions from different depths within the lower crust and upper mantle. The geological, geochemical and geochronological characteristics of the Serrinha plutonic suite suggest a pos-collisional geodynamic context for the Neoproterozoic magmatism. Thermobarometric data show emplacement conditions in the range 5-6 kbar (AlTamphibole) and 730-740°C (plagioclase-amphibole) for the porphyrytic granitoids (Serrinha body) and the intermediate-to-mafic enclaves

Caracterização e análise do talude continental adjacente à bacia potiguar, NE Brasil

This work presents the results of the first imaging of continental slope adjacent to Potiguar Basin, in the equatorial Brazilian margin (NE Brazil). Swath bathymetry provided a complete coverage of seafloor between the upper and middle slope (100-1,300 m). Fifteen submarine canyons were mapped. The shape of the slope reflects in distinct spatial distribution of the canyons. The western area displays convex profiles which implied a greater amount of incisions by canyons. Some of them have gradient walls higher than 35°. They were classified according to location and morphology. The canyons with heads indenting shelf edge, association with a incised valley and a large fluvial system, high sinuosities, V shape, terraces along margins, further erosive features such as landslide and gullies allow to deduce a sandy-gravelly sedimentation. These canyons are associated with deposition of submarine fan systems that have been considered permeable hydrocarbon reservoirs. The presence of gullies, furrows and dunes demonstrates the role of bottom currents in the shaping of the slope. The enlargement of canyons and the change in the course when they cross the border fault imply that tectonic has also influenced in the morphology of deep waters environments of Potiguar Basin. The current sedimentation of continental slope is considered mixed because the sediments are composed of siliciclastics and bioclasts. Predominant siliciclastics are calcite, dolomite, quartz, and clay minerals. The presence of stable minerals (zircon, tourmaline and rutile), and fragmented bioclasts implies the contributions of Rivers Açu and Apodi

Lacustrine records of Holocene flood pulse dynamics in the Upper Paraguay River watershed (Pantanal wetlands, Brazil)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The late precambrian K-alkaline magmatism in the Ribeira Fold Belt: a case study of the Piracaia Pluton, State of São Paulo, SE Brazil, and its potential mineralization (Cu, Zn, Gd)

The Pluriserial Ribeira Magmatic System-590 of the Late Precambrian Ribeira Fold Belt comprises seven groups of high-K rocks of crustal or mantle origin with ages ranging between 620 and 570 Ma. One of these groups is represented by transalkaline suites akin to appinitic lamprophyres. The suites assemble one or more of following lithologies: (+/- quartz) gabbros and monzogabbros, (+/- quartz) diorites and monzodiorites, (+/- quartz) monzonites and syenites in addition to rare granites. All these rocks occur together in the Piracaia pluton, State of São Paulo. The mineralogy of the Piracaia suite comprises variable amounts of plagioclase (An 60-10), alkali-feldspars (orthoclase, microcline, albite), ortho- (Fe-hypersthene) and clinopyroxenes (augite), amphiboles (hornblende and rare late Fe-hastingsite), abundant biotite, quartz, opaques, sphene, allanite and zircon. Several magmatic pulses constructed the pluton. The Piracaia magma bulk trend evolved initially along the silica-undersaturation plane with simultaneous fractionation of accessory, mafic and felsic minerals. These are segregated in feldspar-rich cumulates. In the late stage, the evolutionary trend followed two distinct paths: one along the or-ab thermal barrier with the crystallization of syenites; the second one along the thermal valley in the or-ab-qz subsystem, producing quartz-syenites and granites. The source of the Piracaia magma was a 'vein-plus-wall-rock-system '. Together the pulses reflect increasing and decreasing participation of peridotites and mica pyroxenites, respectively, in the magmatogenic process. The magmatic pulses were stored in magma chambers, several drained by deep faults or fractures, which were successively reactivated and recharged. Each new pulse underwent mixing with earlier residual magma, followed by fractionation. During ascent through the hot and thickened post-collisional crust, the magma pulses underwent minor compositional changes by crustal contamination. The concentration of valuable elements (Cu, Zn, Gd) in the Piracaia pluton occurred during two phases of the magmatic evolution. Cu and Zn were enriched in cumulates and Gd was concentrated in residual quartz-syenitic veins. Due to their homogeneous dark colour and texture, the monzodiorites are exploited both for polished dimension stones and supports for sensitive scientific instruments. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

High-pressure granulites from Carire, Borborema Province, NE Brazil: Tectonic setting, metamorphic conditions and U-Pb, Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd geochronology

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Caracterização petrográfica e aspectos diagenéticos dos arenitos do Grupo Bauru na região sudoeste do Estado de São Paulo

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Botryoidal platinum, palladium and potarite from the Bom Sucesso stream, Minas Gerais, Brazil: Compositional zoning and origin

Platinum-Pd nuggets from the Born Sucesso stream alluvium Minas Gerais, Brazil. have been investigated by electron-probe microanalysis. The nuggets attain 1 mm in maximum dimension and have a botryoidal habit, with pronounced compositional core-to-margin zoning of internal structures, Although there is a wide variation in internal morphology and individual zones vary markedly in thickness (<1-100 mum), a typical composite arborescent nugget comprises a broad irregular core region of massive auriferous Pd-Hg alloy (potarite delta-PdHg) or cavity space + relict potarite enclosed by a narrow zone of platiniferous, palladium or alloy of near Pt50Pd50 composition, and is progressively oscillatory zoned by palladian platinum, with growth eventually enveloping the whole botryoidal colony, to a narrow rim of palladian platinum or pure platinum. Other nuggets comprise an arborescent to dendritic core of auriferous potarite, a broad internal zone of either pure platinum or palladian platinum, and a narrow rim of platinum, the mineral palladium contains up to about 65 at.% Pd; this is the first detailed modern confirmation of palladium in its type locality. Auriferous potarite ranges in composition from similar toPd(3)Hg(2) to near Pd(Hg,Au). The origin of these nuggets remains unclear, but their mineralogy is broadly equivalent to that of palladian gold. potarite and platinum in alluvial sediments and overburden from Devon, England, which are considered to be detrital, and their platinum-group-clement geochemistry is consistent with precipitation from hydrothermal fluids. We suggest that the Bom Sucesso nuggets resulted from high-level episodic hydrothermal alteration of mafic and ultramafic rocks within the drainage basin, with the remobilized Pt and Pd precipitated in open spaces in the enclosing metaquartzites.