GEOMORPHOLOGY AND SEDIMENT DISTRIBUTION OF THE INNER SHELF ADJACENT TO THE AÇU RIVER ESTUARY, MACAU-RN
Side-Scan Sonar, Sand Ridges, Inner Shelf.
The tropical semi-arid estuarine systems have a scarce sediment supply, but contribute to the deposition and development of sedimentary reserves at its mouths. Thus, the coastline and estuary undergo the depositional and erosional processes influenced by sediment supply and hydrodynamic. The estuarine zones have a high population density and are a region very vulnerable. This work aims to understand the submarine geomorphology, associated sediment distribution, and hydrodynamic performance as well, located on the inner shelf adjacent to Açu, a tropical semi-arid estuary on the Brazilian NE. The databank consisted of single- and multbeam bathymetry, side scan sonar records, surface sediment samples and satellite images. The results indicates y the SonarWiz software, resulting in the standardization of the mosaic and highlighting of the present features, in order to mainly understand the morphology, geometry and textural patterns and correlate with sedimentological data and satellite image. In the inner continental shelf were identified 8 textured patterns associated with 8 sedimentary facies, and 1 textural pattern as submerged rocky outcrops. The sedimentary siliciclastic and bioclastic facies vary from silt to gravel, where the portion in front of the mouth of the estuary predominates pelitic sediments. Themain geomorphologic features identified were sandy ridges, incised valley, sand/mud banks and wavy relief with the presence of subaqueous 2D dunes and ripples. The tidal currents and waves direction are consistent with the small 2D dunes and ripples, respectively