Sedimentation on the southern Brazilian shelf mud depocenters: Insights on potential source areas

Author(s)

de Mahiques, Michel Michaelovitch ^{[1, 2]} ; Lopes Figueira, Rubens Cesar ^[2] ; de Mello Sousa, Silvia Helena ^[2] ; dos Santos, Rosangela Felicio ^[2] ; de Lima Ferreira, Paulo Alves ^[2] ; Mi Kim, Bianca Sung ^[2] ; Cazzoli Y Goya, Samara ^[2] ; Silva Nogueira de Matos, Maria Carolina ^[2] ; Bicego, Marcia Caruso ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Energy & Environm, Ave Prof Luciano Gualberto 1289, BR-05508010 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Oceanog Inst, Praca Oceanog 191, BR-05508120 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of South American Earth Sciences; v. 100, JUN 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the characteristics of the shelf mud depocenters off South Brazil, between latitudes 27 degrees 30'S and 24 degrees 30'S. A combination of geochronological, textural (grain-size), and geochemical (metals and epsilon Nd values) analyses allowed to recognize different mud deposits in the area. It was possible to recognize changes in the sedimentation rates along with each sediment core, despite a relative homogeneity in the nature of the terrigenous sediments. The Rio de La Plata discharge was confirmed as the primary source of sediments to the shelf in the area of study. Also, it is possible to recognize a limited local contribution from the adjacent land to the coastal depocenters. Finally, we identify a distinct source of the sediments deposited in the north of the study area, probably as a function of the transport by the Brazil Current. Our findings attest to the complexity of the origin of sediments to the southern Brazilian shelf as well as to the need for more detailed works in source-to-sink on the southern Brazilian shelf, which is a potential fate for anthropogenic compounds. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/17763-2 - Mudbelts from the South and Southeast Brazil: implications about the anthropogenic influence on the marine environment
• Grantee: Márcia Caruso Bícego
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/22194-0 - Anomalous bottom features on the upper slope off Southern Brazil
• Grantee: Michel Michaelovitch de Mahiques
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants