Geomorphological research offers a valuable first step to understand the complexity of seafloor patterns that are likely to support particular fauna, thereby providing value for future targeted studies on benthic communities and habitats. The objective of this study is to perform a geomorphological classification of a tropical continental shelf, located in the north of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil, using Benthic Terrain Modeler (BTM), as a first step to characterize benthic habitats. The classification of the seabed is based on the bathymetry, broad-scale and fine-scale BPI (Benthic Positioning Index), seafloor slope, and a decision table containing definitions and thresholds appropriate to the data input. The relationships between morphology and the deposition of surface sediments were also investigated. Results from the BTM analysis revealed eight types of benthic structures: Flat Plains, Depressions, Gentle Slopes, Steep Slopes, Flat Ridge Tops, Rock Outcrop Highs, Local Pinnacles in Depressions and Local Pinnacles on Broad Flats. The results from this study may therefore assist in selecting priority areas to investigate, supporting better marine spatial planning in the region, and, in the future, collaborating to determine biodiversity patterns in Brazilian waters.
Este trabalho discute as diferenciações existentes ao longo da plataforma continental brasileira, bem como sua gênese e evolução. Foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica afim de evidenciar as particularidades da mesma, especialmente do setor pernambucano, reconhecido como último elo de ligação entre os continentes americano e africano. A morfologia e as características sedimentológicas da área em estudo são altamente influenciadas por diferentes condições climáticas, hidrológicas e aporte sedimentar continental ao longo do território brasileiro, além de diferentes estágios de formação e evolução da margem continental brasileira. Assim estes fatores promovem quatro grandes diferentes setores na plataforma continental brasileira. O setor norte, marcado pela largura ampla e predomínio de sedimentação terrígena, recebe grande influência continental pela presença de grandes rios e clima equatorial. O setor nordeste, mais estreito e com predomínio de sedimentação biogênica, recebe grande influência marinha, com território continental desprovido de grandes rios, de clima tropical e semiárido. A porção central da plataforma continental brasileira apresenta as mesmas características hidrológica, climática e sedimentar do setor anterior, contudo com larguras geralmente menores, como é o caso da plataforma adjacente ao município de Salvador. No setor sul volta a se apresentar mais progradante com predomínio de sedimentação terrígena, voltando a receber vasta influência continental, com ocorrência de rios mais relevantes e clima subtropical. A B S T R A C TThis paper discusses the existing differences along the Brazilian continental shelf, as well as its genesis and evolution. A bibliographical research was carried out in order to highlight its peculiarities, especially in Pernambuco’s sector recognized as the last link between the American and African continents. The morphology and sedimentological characteristics of the studied area are highly influenced by different climatic, hydrological and continental sedimentary contribution conditions along the Brazilian territory, besides different stages of formation and evolution of the Brazilian continental margin. Thus, these factors are responsible for four large sectors in the Brazilian continental shelf. The northern sector, marked by wide width and predominance of terrigenous sedimentation, receives great continental influence, due to the presence of large rivers and equatorial climate. The Northeast sector, which is narrower and has a predominance of biogenic sedimentation, receives great marine influence, the continental territory is devoided of large rivers, with tropical and semi-arid climate. The central portion of the Brazilian continental shelf presents the same hydrological, climatic and sedimentary characteristics of the previous sector, however usually with smaller widths; this is the case of the platform adjacent to the municipality of Salvador. The southern sector presents more prograde with a predominance of terrigenous sedimentation, receiving once again vast continental influence, with more relevant rivers and subtropical climate.Keywords: morphology, sedimentary dynamics, continental margin, Pernambuco.
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