Applying planktonic foraminifera as tools in reconstructing the SW Atlantic Quaternary hydrography

• Grant number: 14/10122-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2014
• End date: November 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Chemical Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Rubens Cesar Lopes Figueira
• Grantee: Jaqueline Quirino Ferreira
• Host Institution: Instituto Oceanográfico (IO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The SE Brazilian margin presents high potential for Quaternary paleoceanographic and studies. Yet little is known about the history and evolution of the SW Atlantic for the Quaternary. This proposal main goal is to better understand the Quaternary paleoceanography of the SW Atlantic. For this a marine sediment core (NAP-63) collected on the continental slope of the SE Brazilian margin will be studied using planktonic foraminifera test geochemistry (stable isotopic composition - ´18O and ´13C, and Mg/Ca ratios) as a proxy. The data obtained will provide new information regarding the sea-surface hydrographic conditions (i.e., temperature and salinity) and will be discussed under a regional paleocenaographic scenario.