Print this pageGeomorphology and 
Spatial
Patterns of
Sedimentation on a Modern Mix Depositional System, NE Brazil
The Brazilian continental shelf from Rio Grande do Norte
State, located in the northeast of Brazil represents a modern, shallow-water
mixed carbonate-siliciclastic system. This shelf is subject to the full
strength of the westerly Equatorial current combined with high winds and
moderate to high tides and waves. It bears important mineral resources,
especially hydrocarbons and bioclastic aggregates (mainly calcareous algae).
New hydroacustical data (including side scan sonar, multbeam bathymetry,
sub-bottom profile), supported by diving and video transects provide
unparalleled perspective on spatial distribution of environments on this area.
Combined, these different sets of data allow effectively a description of the
spatial
variations of physical seafloor properties. The aim of this paper is to
present an overview of geomorphic and sedimentologic patterns present in this
modern coastal and shallow marine mix system adjacent to Potiguar Basin, which
might be developed for environmental purpose and can provide examples of types
of heterogeneity that might be present in ancient geologic analogs and the
scales at which they occur. Different environments were observed, from beachrocks to sand dunes fields to reefs. Although the general distribution of
this system have been described before this study allow a better delimitation
of facies, and new founds as well, such as the coral reef presence in a wide
area along the outer shelf, in water deeper than 25 m and constitute grouping
of knolls, patch and bank reefs. These results are in a resolution incomparable
to the existent data for this area and are very important to the increasing
economic pressure on the marine environment. Moreover, a better understanding
on lateral facies distribution in such modern carbonate environment can be used
as analogs for reservoir description, characterization, and modeling.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90142 © 2012 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, April 22-25, 2012, Long Beach, California