SEDIMENTARY CHARACTERIZATION AND BENTHIC FORAMINIFERAL ASSEMBLAGES OF THE EQUATORIAL OUTER SHELF, ADJACENT TO THE STATE OF RIO GRANDE DO NORTE, BRAZIL

Sedimentary characterization and benthic foraminiferal assemblages of the equatorial outer shelf, adjacent to the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

Authors

  • Allany de Paula Uchôa ANDRADE Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
  • Patrícia Pinheiro Beck EICHLER EcoLogicProject.com. Highway 9, Boulder Creek, California, USA.
  • Moab Praxedes GOMES Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5016/geociencias.v39i1.14041

Abstract

Studies on mixed carbonatic and siliciclastic sedimentation on the Brazilian continental shelf have been used Foraminifera as bioindicators of carbonate productivity, marine currents, nutrient intakes, and environmental health. This work aim to investigate the recent sedimentary coverage and the Foraminifera assemblages of the equatorial outer shelf of Rio Grande do Norte State, between the Apodi-Mossoró and Piranhas-Açu incised valleys to understand the nutrient distribution and carbonate production. Statistical methods were used for the biotic data, in quantitative and qualitative values. granulometric analysis, CaCO3, and organic matter contents allowed to identify six sedimentary facies. The presence of Globigerina rubra, Quinqueloculina patagonica, and Peneroplis pertussus is related to the intrusion of ocean currents over the shelf break. The presence of Buccella peruviana is correlated with high CaCO3 and organic matter contents.  The species of foraminifera mentioned above may indicate occurrence of oceanic phenomena such as tropical Gyre and upwelling. Diversity of symbiotic organisms and their correlation to abiotic are related to carbonate production and the pristine shelf environment.

Author Biographies

Allany de Paula Uchôa ANDRADE, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

Graduada em Geologia pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) em 2007. Mestranda em Geodinâmica através da UFRN, pelo Programa de Pós Graduação em Geodinâmica e Geofísica (PPGG). Experiência profissional e em Poços exploratórios de Petróleo e Gás, e Meio Ambiente; e acadêmica em Sedimentologia, Petrografia e Paleontologia. Atualmente finalizando o Mestrado em Geodinâmica pela PPGG/UFRN e paralelamente trabalhando com energias alternativas e Licenciamento Ambiental pelo Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável do Rio Grande do Norte (NUPE/IDEMA).

Patrícia Pinheiro Beck EICHLER, EcoLogicProject.com. Highway 9, Boulder Creek, California, USA.

EcoLogicProject.com. Highway 9, Boulder Creek, California, USA.

Moab Praxedes GOMES, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geodinâmica e Geofísica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Campus Universitário, Caixa Postal 1596. Natal – RN, Brasil.

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Published

2020-05-20

Issue

Vol. 39 No. 1 (2020)

Section

Artigos