Spatial Modeling of Occurrence Sites of Paleotocas in Serra do Gandarela and Curral, with a view to Prospecting Places Favorable to Existence and Other Discoveries in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero - MG

Spatial Modeling of Occurrence Sites of Paleotocas in Gandarela and Curral ranges, Quadrilátero Ferrífero - MG

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5016/geociencias.v41i03.15963

Abstract

The ferruginous geosystem of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (QFe) constantly involves scenarios of dispute between mineral exploration and environmental conservation. Recent studies in caves in the region have confirmed that two of them are palaeoburrows. In ferruginous lithology, they were initially verified in the Vale do Rio Peixe Bravo, north of Minas Gerais. In the QFe, the only records found are located in Serra do Gandarela and Serra do Curral, excavated in the canga / saprolite contact. Especially the Gandarela paleotoca is threatened by mining. The objective of this work was to discriminate potential target areas of new occurrences of palaeoburrows in the QFe from the comparison of the geomorphological and geological characteristics of the areas of occurrence of these ichnofossils both in the QFe and in other ferruginous geosystems. The methodological procedures involved the Delphi technique and the use of geoprocessing in the construction of thematic maps and the elaboration of a map of potential occurrences. The analysis allowed to identify that the two paleotocas and most of the natural cavities registered in high potential zones, occur in rocks of the Itabira Group (itabirites). As they are areas of great interest to mining, they become a priority for investigation and characterization, in order to guarantee the integrity of possible paleontological records.

Key words: Palaeoburrows; Ichnofossils; Geoconservation; Geoprocessing; Delphi.

Author Biographies

Driele Antunes de ASSIS, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto - UFOP

Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Morro Do Cruzeiro s/n - Bauxita, Ouro Preto – MG.

Paulo de Tarso Amorim CASTRO, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto

Possui graduação em Geologia pela Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (1981), mestrado em Evolução Crustal e Recursos Naturais pela Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (1988) e doutorado em Geologia pela Universidade de Brasília (1997). Atualmente é professor titular (nível E) da Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto onde atua no ensino de graduação em Engenharia Geológica e no programa de Pós-graduação em Evolução Crustal e Recursos Naturais e no programa de pós-graduação em modelagem da Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana. Tem experiência na área de Geociências, com ênfase em geologia e meio ambiente, atuando principalmente nos seguintes temas: Quadrilátero Ferrífero, sedimentologia, sistemas aluviais, geoconservação e geoética.

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Published

2023-02-14

Issue

Vol. 41 No. 3 (2022)

Section

Artigos