ABSTRACT. This work aimed at studying the bottom and sub-bottom geoacoustics of the Guaíba River, whose echo patterns are related to hydrodynamic patterns and sedimentary processes. A total of 324 km of seismic transects were surveyed using the Stratabox high-frequency (10 kHz) profiler with concomitant imaging using a side-scan sonar in the northern and central areas of the Guaíba system. The records were interpreted with the aid of complementary data (bathymetry and bottom samples), and maps containing the spatial arrangement of echo-characters were developed. The echo-characters were classified into seven different types according to the presence of sediments controlled by the hydrodynamics of the system or modified by human action. In general, the echoes related to the deposition of fine sediments occurred in deeper areas, the navigation channel or surrounding areas. The echoes in the shallower areas presented strong acoustic reflectivity at sites with lower deposition of fine sediments and predominance of sandy sediments. The occurrence and morphology of asymmetric subaqueous dunes indicated a predominant north-to-south flow and a river behavior.Keywords: shallow geophysics, sedimentology, hydrodynamics, geoprocessing.RESUMO. Este trabalho tem por objetivo o estudo geoacústico de fundo e subfundo do rio Guaíba, cujos padrões de ecos são relacionados aos padrões hidrodinâmicos e aos processos sedimentares atuantes. Foram levantados 324 km de perfis sísmicos em extensão, com o perfilador de alta frequência (10 kHz) Stratabox e concomitante imageamento com Sonar de Varredura Lateral nas áreas Norte e Central do Guaíba. Os registros foram interpretados com o auxílio de dados complementares (batimetria e amostras de fundo) e foram confeccionados mapas com a disposição espacial dos eco-caráteres. Os eco-caráteres foram classificados em sete diferentes tipos, de acordo com a presença de sedimentos controlados pela hidrodinâmica do sistema ou modificados pela ação humana. De uma forma geral, os ecos relacionados à deposição de sedimentos finos ocorrem nas áreas mais profundas, no canal de navegação ou adjacências. Os ecos nas áreas mais rasas apresentam forte refletividade acústica, em locais com menor deposição de sedimentos finos e predomínio de sedimentos arenosos. A ocorrência e morfologia de dunas subaquosas assimétricas indicam um fluxo preponderante no sentido Norte – Sul e um comportamento fluvial do sistema aquático.Palavras-chave: geofísica rasa, sedimentologia, hidrodinâmica, geoprocessamento.
Heavy minerals can be used as tools to understand sedimentary patterns across continental shelves better. Furthermore, these minerals are economically important, forming marine placers. This study investigates the spatial distributions of heavy minerals in sand deposits along the Espírito Santo Continental Shelf, considering that the shelf presents distinct sedimentary regimes, characterized by the three different morpho-sedimentary compartments (Paleovalley Shelf, Doce river Shelf, and Abrolhos Shelf). Fifteen different heavy mineral species were identified across the study area, with a predominance of ilmenite. The spatial distribution is heterogeneous (quantitative) in each compartment. However, the heavy mineral distribution in each sector is similar (qualitative). The supply and accommodation regimes do not influence the heavy mineral assemblages and sediment maturity. However, there is a significant relationship between supply regime (delta sedimentation) and higher average abundances of each heavy mineral species. Marine placers are closely related to Holocene sedimentation.
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