Contemporary (2001) and ���Little Ice Age��� glacier extents in the Buordakh Massif, Cherskiy Range, north east Siberia

The Buordakh Massif of the Cherskiy Range of sub-arctic north east Siberia, Russia has a cold continental climate and supports over 80 glaciers. Despite previous research in the region, a georeferenced map of the glaciers has only recently been completed and an enhanced version of it is reproduced in colour here. The mountains of this region reach heights in excess of 3,000 m and the glaciers on their slopes range in size from 0.1 to 10.4 km2. The mapping has been compiled through the interpretation of Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite imagery from August 2001 which has been augmented by data from a field campaign undertaken at the same time. The glaciers of the region are of the cold, ���firn-less��� continental type and their mass balance relies heavily on the formation of superimposed ice. Moraines which lie in front of the glaciers by up to a few kilometres are believed to date from the Little Ice Age (ca. 1550-1850 AD). Over half of the glaciers mapped have shown marked retreat from these moraines.

Expans��o da ocupa����o urbana de Gramado : estudo de caso da aplica����o de fotografias a��reas de pequeno formato e SIG

Fotografias a��reas verticais de pequeno formato foram obtidas atrav��s de c��mera fotogr��fica n��o-m��trica a bordo de aeronave de pequeno porte, no ano de 1999, com o objetivo de se atualizar um conjunto de seis plantas cadastrais digitais de 1984, na escala 1:5.000, cobrindo a ��rea urbana do munic��pio de Gramado, situado na regi��o nordeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. As fotografias foram digitalizadas, armazenadas e georreferenciadas em um Sistema de Informa����es Geogr��ficas. Posteriormente, foram digitalizados os per��metros das edifica����es e os limites dos bairros da ��rea urbana nas plantas cadastrais digitais. Os dados atualizados das plantas cadastrais foram elaborados para a gera����o de an��lises tem��ticas e, portanto, n��o podem ser utilizados para a medi����o precisa das edifica����es mapeadas. Ap��s sua digitaliza����o, os pol��gonos das edifica����es foram estruturados topologicamente por meio do SIG utilizado, permitindo a gera����o autom��tica de um centr��ide para cada edifica����o mapeada. A consulta ao banco de dados tornou poss��vel o c��lculo do n��mero total e a localiza����o dos centr��ides das edifica����es, para as duas datas estudadas. Os dados tabulados foram representados por um mapa tem��tico da expans��o da ocupa����o urbana, na escala de 1:25.000. Outros produtos obtidos no presente estudo foram cartas-imagem da ��rea urbana (1:50.000), elaboradas a partir de imagens do sat��lite LANDSAT 7 ETM+, bem como mapas tem��ticos dos aspectos f��sicos e antr��picos dos bairros da ��rea urbana (escalas 1:15.000 a 1:25.000). Com base nos dados obtidos, verificou-se um crescimento de 164, 6 % do n��mero total de edifica����es e uma expans��o da ocupa����o orientada para a regi��o SE da ��rea urbana, em fun����o do maior crescimento do setor secund��rio e do n��mero de loteamentos na regi��o meridional da ��rea urbana durante o per��odo de 15 anos. Atrav��s da interpreta����o dos dados geogr��ficos, foram elaboradas recomenda����es para o planejamento urbano de Gramado.

Estimativa da ��rea imperme��vel dentro da bacia hidrogr��fica do Arroio Diluvio (porto Alegre/RS) atrav��s de t��cnicas de sensoriamento remoto e geoprocessamento

Neste trabalho foram realizadas classifica����es utilizando-se as bandas 1 a 5 e 7 dos sensores Landsat 5 TM (1987) e Landsat 7 ETM+ (2000). A caracteriza����o espectral dos materiais foi realizada em laborat��rio utilizando um espectrorradi��metro, e atrav��s das bandas 1 a 5 e 7 dos sensores Landsat 5 TM (1987) e Landsat 7 ETM+ (2000). A transforma����o dos dados multiespectrais de imagens de sensoriamento remoto �� uma maneira de reduzir o volume de dados atrav��s da identifica����o de classes de interesse numa imagem digital. No intuito de verificar condi����es de melhoramento na classifica����o de alvos urbanos em imagens digitais, identificados por procedimentos j�� conhecidos, como a classifica����o pela M��xima Verossimilhan��a, escolheu-se um classificador baseado na l��gica fuzzy. O classificador utilizado foi o Fuzzy Set Membership classification - Fuzclass, que faz parte de um conjunto de classificadores n��o-r��gidos dispon��veis no programa Idrisi 32. Uma vez que informa����es sobre o desempenho de produtos deste classificador em ��reas urbanas s��o escassas, foram conduzidos ensaios de compara����o de resultados obtidos por este classificador com a verdade terrestre, representada por uma imagem de alta resolu����o espacial do sat��lite QuickBird. As ��reas teste selecionadas desta imagem atendem ao crit��rio de inalter��ncia das condi����es de ocupa����o para o intervalo temporal considerado A compara����o feita, permite concluir que o classificador apresenta limita����es na classifica����o de ��reas urbanas devido ao comportamento espectral semelhante dos materiais que fazem parte dessa cobertura. A utiliza����o de uma classe ��nica para identificar ��reas imperme��veis foi a solu����o adotada para contornar este ��bice. O emprego de ��reas teste possibilitou acertar a escolha do grau de possibilidade de presen��a da classe no pixel (PPCP). Uma compara����o entre os resultados apresentados na classifica����o de ��reas imperme��veis, com base nos classificadores M��xima Verossimilhan��a e Fuzclass, demonstrou um desempenho melhor do classificador fuzzy, em fun����o do n��vel de PPCP ajustado durante a an��lise comparativa Landsat e Quickbird nas ��reas teste. Um procedimento alternativo de estimativa de ��reas imperme��veis em bacias urbanas �� apresentado no final.

Avalia����o ambiental de manguezais adjacentes aos campos petrol��feros de Macau e Serra (RN), como subs��dio ��s medidas mitigadoras ao processo erosivo

Among the various effects caused by the climate change and human intervention, the mangrove ecosystem changes through of the years has been worth mentioning, which hasn t known which are the pros and cons for the adjacent coastal and estuarine environments yet. It happens due to the present dynamism in these areas, besides of the difficult understanding of the processes associated with evolution. This study aimed to environmentally evaluate adjacent mangroves from the Macau and Serra oil fields, located on Rio Grande do Norte northern coast, to support the mitigating actions related to the containment of the erosive process, as well as, according to the principles of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), to assess the amount of atmospheric carbon sequestered by the studied ecosystem. An inventory was conducted through mangrouve mapping which has supplied this research, especially regarding to the structural characterization of mangrove areas. To understand the local mangrove behavior in a greater level detail, techniques of remote sensing, GIS and GPS were used to make an analogy between the current and past states of the mangrove studied, allowing to make anticipated projections for the future impacts or changes in that region. This study combined data from multispectral LANDSAT 5 TM, Landsat 7 ETM+ with radar microwave data from SAR RADARSAT-1, which increased the interpretation capacity of the data from optical sensor systems. The interpretations have been supported by the data field, representing a better and innovative methodology for the environmental and taxonomic characterization of mangrove forests considered. The results reveal that mangroves of the Ponta do Tubar��o Sustainable Development Reserve are biologically representative areas and providing a variety of benefits, especially for local communities, constituting the priority sites for actions development aimed at conservation. They also have been showing the necessity to make mitigating measures in order to recover degraded areas through reforestation or creating new areas of mangrove, as currently 7.1% of the mangrove forests studied are dead or in an advanced state of decomposition. The amount of atmospheric carbon sequestered proved very significant when analyzed for the whole area, which is able to sequester atmospheric 4,294,458 Ton CO2 per year

Caracteriza����o batim��trica e fisicooceanogr��fica do canal de acesso ao porto de Cabedelo/PB: uma an��lise ambiental ao derrame de ��leo

The State of Para��ba 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, Para��ba - 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

Aerofotos convencionais e imagens orbitais TM/LANDSAT no mapeamento morfopedol��gico em Santa B��rbara D'Oeste (SP)

Foram estudados, com o aux��lio de fotografias a��reas, aspectos qualitativos e quantitativos do relevo e da rede de drenagem de solos de uma ��rea de Santa B��rbara D'Oeste, SP. Esta regi��o compreende 14.625 ha, onde foram selecionadas bacias hidrogr��ficas de 3�� ordem de ramifica����o e amostras circulares de 5km��. As unidades de mapeamento simples ou associa����es de solos s��o: Latossolo Vermelho Escuro, Podz��lico, Litossolo + Podz��lico, Terra Roxa Estruturada + Latossolo Roxo distr��fico. Ap��s a caracteriza����o das fei����es fisiogr��ficas, da ��rea de ocorr��ncia desses solos, foram realizados dois mapas morfopedol��gicos. No primeiro utilizou-se fotografias a��reas verticais pancrom��ticas na escala 1: 35.000 (data de 25/6/78) e no segundo imagens orbitais do sensor Thematic Mapper do LANDSAT-5, nas bandas 3, 4 e 5 e composi����o colorida 3/4/5 na escala 1: 100.000 (data de 12/9/91). As an��lises qualitativas e quantitativas do relevo (��ndice de declividade m��dia) e rede de drenagem (densidade de drenagem, freq����ncia de rios, raz��o de textura) mostraram-se eficientes na diferencia����o das unidades de solo estudadas, tanto em bacias hidrogr��ficas como em amostras circulares. A utiliza����o de fotografias a��reas, permitiu maior riqueza de detalhes na precis��o dos limites das unidades de mapeamento e no maior n��mero de unidades de mapeamento discriminadas em rela����o as imagens orbitais. A composi����o colorida 3/4/5 permitiu diferenciar os Latossolos argilosos dos Latossolos de textura m��dia, assim como o Latossolo H��mico.

Condicionamento estrutural das zonasa de cisalhamento da regi��o de Forquilha, dom��nio Cear�� Central: uma abordagem integrada de sensoriamento remoto e geologia estrutural

The studied region, named Forquilha and localized in northwestern Central Cear�� domain (northern portion of Borborema Province), presents a lithostratigraphic framework constituted by paleoproterozoic metaplutonics, metasedimentary sequences and neoproterozoic granitoids. The metasedimentary rocks of Cear�� group occupy most part of the area. This group is subdivided in two distinct units: Canind�� and Independ��ncia. Canind�� unit is represented basically by biotite paragneisses and muscovite paragneisses, with minor metabasic rocks (amphibolite lens). Independ��ncia sequence is composed by garnetiferous paragneisses, sillimanite-garnet-quartz-muscovite schists and quartz-muscovite schists, pure or muscovite quartzites and rare marbles. At least three ductile deformation events were recognized in both units of Cear�� group, named D1, D2 and D3. The former one is interpreted as related to a low angle tangential tectonics which mass transport is southward. D2 event is marked by the development of close/isoclinal folds with a N-S oriented axis. Refolding patterns generated by F1 and F2 superposition are found in several places. The latest event (D3) corresponds to a transcurrent tectonics, which led to development of mega-folds and several shear zones, under a transpressional regime. The mapped shear zones are Humberto Monte (ZCHM), Po��o Cercado (ZCPC) and Forquilha (ZCF). Digital image processing of enhanced Landsat 7-ETM+ satellite images, combined with field data, demonstrate that these penetrative structures are associated with positive and negative geomorphologic patterns, distributed in linear and curvilinear arrangements with tonal banding, corresponding to the ductile fabric and to crests. Diverse color composites were tested and RGB-531 and RGB-752 provided the best results for lineament analysis of the most prominent shear zones. Spatial filtering techniques (3x3 and 5x5 filters) were also used and the application of Prewitt filters generated the best products. The integrated analysis of morphological and textural aspects from filtered images, variation of tonalities related to the distribution of geologic units in color composites and the superposition over a digital elevation model, contributed to a characterization of the structural framework of the study area. Kinematic compatibility of ZCHM, ZCPC, ZCF shear zones, as well as Sobral-Pedro II (ZCSPII) shear zone, situated to the west of the study area, was one of the goal of this work. Two of these shear zones (ZCHM, ZCPC) display sinistral movements, while the others (ZCSPII, ZCF) exhibit dextral kinematics. 40Ar/39Ar ages obtained in this thesis for ZCSPII and ZCPC, associated with other 40Ar/39Ar data of adjacent areas, indicate that all these shear zones are related to Brasiliano orogeny. The trend of the structures, the opposite shear senses and the similar metamorphic conditions are fitted in a model based on the development of conjugate shear zones in an unconfined transpression area. A WNW-ESE bulk shortening direction is infered. The geometry and kinematic of the studied structures suggest that shortening was largely accommodated by lateral extrusion, with only minor amounts of vertical stretch

Evolu����o geodin��mica e condicionamento estrutural dos terrenos Pianc��-Alto Br��gida e Alto Paje��, dom��nio da zona transversal, NE do Brasil

This thesis aims to advance in the geological knowledge of the region comprising the Pianc��-Alto Br��gida (TPAB) and Alto paje�� (TAP) terranes, in the Transversal Zone Domain (Borborema Province, NE Brazil), with the main objective of understanding the geodynamic evolution and the structural framework of these units. To reach this objective, and besides field work and interpretation of traditional aerial photographs, other tools were employed like of remote sensing products (Landsat 7 ETM+, aeroradiometrics, aeromagnetics and topographical images), lithogeochemical (whole rock) analyses and geochronological dating (U-Pb in zircon), besides integration with literature data. In the area, several precambrian geological units outcrop, represented in the TAP by the paleoproterozoic Serra Talhada and Afogados da Ingazeira complexes, Riacho Gravat�� Complex (metavolcano-sedimentary sequence of Stenian-Tonian age) and Cariris Velhos orthogneisses (of Tonian age). The TPAB comprises the Santana do Garrote (lower unit) and Serra do Olho d'��gua (upper unit) formations of the Cachoeirinha Group (Neoproterozoic III), besides the Pianc�� orthogneisses and Bom Jesus paragneisses; the latter correspond to an older (basement ?) block and a possible high grade equivalent of the Cachoeirinha Group (or Serid�� Group ?), respectively. Several Brasiliano-age plutons occur in both terranes.The aeromagnetic data show the continuity, at depth, of the main shear zones mapped in the region. The Patos, Pernambuco, Boqueir��o dos Cochos, Serra do Caboclo, Afogados da Ingazeira/Jabitac�� and Congo-Cruzeiro do Nordeste shear zones reach depths greater than to 6-16 km. The aeromagnetic signature of other shear zones, like the Juru one, suggests that these structures correspond to shallower crustal features. The satellite images (Landsat 7 ETM+) and aerogamaspectrometric images discriminate different geological units, contributing to the mapping of the structural framework of the region. The Serra do Caboclo Shear Zone was characterized as the boundary/suture between the TPAB and TAP. This structure is an outstanding, pervasive feature that separates contrasting geological units, such as the Neoproterozoic III Cachoeirinha Group in the TPAB and the Riacho Gravat�� Complex and the Cariris Velhos metaplutonics, of Stenian-Tonian age, in the TAP. Occupying different blocks, these units are not found in authoctonous relations, like unconformities and intrusive contacts. Concerning the Cariris Velhos (ca. 1,0 Ga old) event is recorded by radiometric ages of the Riacho Gravat�� Complex metavolcanics and intrusive augen and orthogneisses, all of them displaying geochemical affinities of arc or collisional settings. A structural signature of this event was not recorded in the region, possibly due to its low grade/low strain style, obliterated by the overprinting of younger, higher grade/high strain Brasiliano-age fabrics.The first tectonic event (D1) observed in the Cariris Velhos lithotypes presents contractional kinematics with transport to the NW. Neoproterozoic III geochronologic dates, obtained in late-D1 granitoids, imply a Brasiliano age (ca. 610-600 Ma) for this deformation event. The second tectonic event (D2) characterized in the region corresponds to the Brasiliano transcurrent kinematics of the outstanding shear zones and associated granitoid plutons. The geochronological (U-Pb in zircon) data obtained during this thesis also confirms the occurrence of the Cariris Velhos magmatic suite in the TAP, as well as the Neoproterozoic III age to the Cachoeirinha Group in the TPAB. The TAP (Riacho Gravat�� Complex, augen and orthogneisses) is interpreted as a continental arc possibly accreted to a microcontinent during the Cariris Velhos (Stenian-Tonian) event. Later on, this terrane collided with the TPAB at the beginning of the Brasiliano orogeny (D1 contractional deformation), and both domins were reworked by the transcurrent shear deformation of the D2 event

Monitoramento geoambiental do estu��rio do Rio Para��ba do Norte - PB por meio da cartografia tem��tica digital e de produtos de sensoriamento remoto

The North Para��ba River Estuary, located in the eastern portion of the Para��ba State, Northeast Brazil, on coordinates 34��50 00 -34��57 30 S and 6��55 00 -7��7 30 W, constitutes a fluvio-marine plain formed by the North Para��ba River and its tributaries Sanhau��, Paroeira, Mandacaru, Tiriri, Tambi��, Ribeira and Guia. This estuary comprises an area of about 260 km2. Increasing human demands on the estuary area and inadequate environment managing have generated conflicts. The present work main purpose is to evaluate the geodynamic evolution of the North Para��ba River Estuary in the period from 1969 to 2001, using digital image processing techniques, thematic digital cartography and multitemporal data integration, combined to geological-geophysical field surveys. The SUDENE cartographic database, converted to digital format were, used to obtain occupation and topographic maps from 1969 and to generate a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Digital Landsat 7 ETM+ and Spot HRVIR-PAN satellite images interpretation allowed the environmental characterization of the estuary. The most important digital processing results were achieved color composites RGB 5-4-3, 5-3-1, 5-2-NDWI and band ratio 7/4-5/3-4/2, 5/7-3/1-5/4). In addition the fusion image technique RGBI was used by the inclusion of the Spot HRVRI and Landsat 7 ETM+ panchromatic band on I layer with RGB triplets 5-4-3, 5-3-1 and 5/7-3/1-5/4. The DEM and digital images integration allowed the identification of seven geomorphological units: coastal tableland, flowing tray, tide plain, fluvial terrace, submerged dune, beach plain and beach). Both Side Scan Sonar and Echosound were used to analyse underwater surface and bedforms of the estuarine channel, sand predominance (fine to very fine) and 2D dune features 5 m wide and 0.5 m height. This investigation characterized the estuary as an environment dominated by regimen of average flow. The channel depth varies between 1 m and 11 m, being this last quota reached in the area of Porto de Cabedelo. The chanel estuary is relatively shallow, with erosion evidences mainly on its superior portion, attested by sand banks exposed during the low tide. Multitemporal digital maps from 1969 and 2001 integration were obtained through geoprocessing techniques, resulting the geodynamic evolution of the estuary based on landuse, DEM geomorphology and bathymetric maps

An��lise multitemporal dos elementos geoambientais da regi��o da Ponta do Tubar��o, ��rea de influ��ncia dos campos petrol��feros de Macau e Serra, munic��pio de Macau/RN

The study area is inserted in Ponta do Tubar��o region, Macau City, setentrional littoral of Rio Grande do Norte State, composed of Tertiary and Quatemary sedimentary rocks and sediments. This region is characterized for the intense action of the coastal processes, causing the morphologic instability in part of the area, beyond the interference of human activities, as the Petroliferous Industrial Polo, salt companies and shrimp farms. This justifies the integration of multidisciplinary and multitemporal detailed scientific studies dealing with the evaluation of the changing behavior of this coastal environment by geoenvironments elements characterization, identifying protected and recuperation areas, mainly those under socioeconomic intervention. The main objective was the coastal monitoring using geoprocessing techniques to prepare thematic maps useful for oil spilling environment risk areas survey. The methodology was based on multitemporal interpretation of remote sensing images and field checking, integrated in a Geographical Information System (GIS). The Geologic, Geomorphologic, Vegetation, Soil and Land Use maps were prepared, and later on they allowed the generation of the Natural Vulnerability and Environmental Vulnerability maps. These maps had been classified in accordance with vulnerability degrees: very low, low, medi um, high and very high. Beyond these maps the GIS allowed the analysis of the shoreline evolution for 10 distinct dates, using Landsat 5 TM and 7 ETM+ and SPOT-HRVIR images. This analysis made possible the attendance of the coastal morphodynamic evolution, where the results had been represented by areasof erosion and accretion (or deposition) of sediments, pointing critical areas under erosive process to the petroliferous industry (Macau and Serra fields). The GIS also provided to prepare the Environmental Sensitivity Maps of Oil Spill (SAO Maps) in operational scale (1: 10.000), according to the norms ofthe Minist��rio do Meio Ambiente (MMA 2002). The SAO Map in operational scale was based on IKONOS images mosaic where the ESI (Environmental Sensitivity Index) was represented according with two tides phases of theregion. Therewere recognizedfiveESI (3, 4,7,9, 1O) for the low tide; to the high tide the ESI number increased to seven (3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10). All these information are necessary to the decisions making about oi! spill and its derivatives containment. These techniques application makes possible the optimization and implantation ofnew socioeconomics activities of low environmental impact, indicates areas for better productivity and security exploration, and benefits local communities with fauna and flora preservation. The development of these activities is inserted in the scope of Monitoramento Ambiental de ��reas de Risco a Derrames de Petr��leo e Seus Derivados Cooperation Project (Rede 05/01 - PETRORISCO, FINEP/CTPETRO/PETROBRAS) of multidisciplinary and interinstitucional characteristics dealing with subjects involving the environmental monitoring and the petroliferous activity

Estudo da din��mica costeira da regi��o da foz do rio Piranhas-A��u para gera����o de mapas de sensibilidade do litoral ao derramamento de ��leo

The study area is located in the northern coast of Rio Grande do Norte State comprising the mouth of A��u-Piranhas river including the cities of Porto do Mangue e Areia Branca. The local geological setting comprises Cretaceous, Tertiary and Quaternary geological units of the Potiguar Basin. One is about a region of high morphologic instability due to action of the rigorous dynamic coastal processes, beyond the intense human activities mainly for the performance of the petroliferous industry, salt farms and tanks of shrimp industry.For the accomplishment of this work Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 7 ETM + from four distinct dates were used as cartographic base, in which one applied techniques of digital processing to elaborate thematic maps of the existing natural resources to support the geologic and geomorphologic characterization and the soil and landuse maps. The strategy applied was the interpretation of multitemporal images from aerial and orbital remote sensors alIied to the terrain truth recognition, integrated through a Geographic Information System. These activities had alIowed the production of Sensitivity Maps of the Coast to Oil Spilling for the area, on the basis of the Coastal Sensibility Index. Taking into account the seasons were created maps to distinct datas: July 2003 represents the winter months that presented a sensibility lower when compared with the month of December 2003. For the summer months greater sensitivity is due to the hydrodynamic data that suggest a lesser capacity of natural cleanness of the oil and its derivatives in spilling case.These outcomes are an important and useful database to support an assessment to a risk situation and to taking decision in the face of an environmental disaster with oil spilling in coastal area, alIowing a complete visualization of the area and identifying all portions in the area with thei environmental units and respective Coastal Sensibility Index.

Caracteriza����o geomorfol��gica 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 (Maracaja��, 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

Sistemas orbitais e a��reos aplicados �� an��lise multi-escala da tect��nica r��ptil atuante na borda sudeste da Bacia do Parna��ba

The tectonics activity on the southern border of Parna��ba Basin resulted in a wide range of brittle structures that affect siliciclastic sedimentary rocks. This tectonic activity and related faults, joints, and folds are poorly known. The main aims of this study were (1) to identify lineaments using several remotesensing systems, (2) to check how the interpretation based on these systems at several scales influence the identification of lineaments, and (3) to contribute to the knowledge of brittle tectonics in the southern border of the Parna��ba Basin. The integration of orbital and aerial systems allowed a multi-scale identification, classification, and quantification of lineaments. Maps of lineaments were elaborated in the following scales: 1:200,000 (SRTM Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission), 1:50,000 (Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite), 1:10,000 (aerial photographs) and 1:5,000 (Quickbird satellite). The classification of the features with structural significance allowed the determination of four structural sets: NW, NS, NE, and EW. They were usually identified in all remote-sensing systems. The NE-trending set was not easily identified in aerial photographs but was better visualized on images of medium-resolution systems (SRTM and Landsat 7 ETM+). The same behavior characterizes the NW-trending. The NS-and EW-trending sets were better identified on images from high-resolution systems (aerial photographs and Quickbird). The structural meaning of the lineaments was established after field work. The NEtrending set is associated with normal and strike-slip faults, including deformation bands. These are the oldest structures identified in the region and are related to the reactivation of Precambrian basement structures from the Transbrazilian Lineament. The NW-trending set represents strike-slip and subordinated normal faults. The high dispersion of this set suggests a more recent origin than the previous structures. The NW-trending set may be related to the Picos-Santa In��s Lineament. The NS-and EW-trending sets correspond to large joints (100 m 5 km long). The truncation relationships between these joint sets indicate that the EW-is older than the NS-trending set. The methodology developed by the present work is an excellent tool for the understanding of the regional and local tectonic structures in the Parna��ba basin. It helps the choice of the best remote-sensing system to identify brittle features in a poorly known sedimentary basin

Din��mica do uso e ocupa����o do solo no litoral de Macau-RN no per��odo de 1978 a 2008

This study was developed in the northern coast of the city of Macau, a total area of 88,52 km��, located in the State of Rio Grande do Norte. It presents relatively plain surface, with interlaced of streams and gamboas, characterized by contributions of oceanic water, flooding areas of swamps. Altogether, the climatic and topographical conditions provide an ideal environment for the development of saline activity. Inserted in the geologic context of the Potiguar Basin, the region presents favorable conditions for the production of hydro-carbons. It still presents natural conditions for shrimp breeding and artisanal fishing. This work analyzes the transformations occurred in the land use, using air photographs of 1978, Landsat 5 ETM Images of 1988, 1998 and 2008. A secular analyzes was carried through the dynamics of the use of the territory and the transformations occurred in the landscape due to the increment of the productive activities. In the survey of the data for study of the area, it was verified that little alteration occurred in the 30 years. The saline activity that was present since the year of 1978 having an increase of about 5% in thirty years; the shrimp breeding activity that had its presence in the decade of 1990, presented a high growth in the land use, therefore in 1998 it presented 0.45% and currently it presents 6.59%. In the field it was observed that great areas used previously for the saline activity, today it is prepared for shrimp breeding and that the areas of petroleum exploration occupy salt mines, beaches and trays. In 1988 it presented a percentage of 0, 07% and currently it occupies 0.46%, having grown 50% in the last 10 years. Although the variation of the occupation of the area has been little expressive, shrimp breeding showed a growth of 1,200% in only 10 years. In regards to petroleum activity, there wasn t any demonstration of an increasing impact in the land use in the area of study in 26 years of exploration