Search

This paper aims the identification of the translucent heavy minerals that occur in the pedological covering at the northwestern region Paraná state (Brazil), and compare them to the minerals observed in the Caiuá sandstone that orverlies it. The origin of the pedological covering is controversial because many researches consider it to be colluvium, originated during a semi-arid climate that occurred in the Quaternary. To reach the proposed goals, morphological descriptions along the top sequences were done and samples from different profiles of the trenches were collected. A slight mineralogical diversity was observed at the pedological covering and at the Caiuá sandstone, where the main minerals are staurolite, rutile, tourmaline and zircon, followed by lower amounts of garnet, kyanite and dumortierite. This assemblage of minerals suggests a high textural and mineral maturity of the studied materials. It is an important argument concerning the origin of the pedological covering, suggesting that it was derived from the alteration processes of the overlaying sandstone, thus, confirming the residual characteristics of said materials in northwestern Paraná state, This paper aims the identification of the translucent heavy minerals that occur in the pedological covering at the northwestern region Paraná state (Brazil), and compare them to the minerals observed in the Caiuá sandstone that orverlies it. The origin of the pedological covering is controversial because many researches consider it to be colluvium, originated during a semi-arid climate that occurred in the Quaternary. To reach the proposed goals, morphological descriptions along the top sequences were done and samples from different profiles of the trenches were collected. A slight mineralogical diversity was observed at the pedological covering and at the Caiuá sandstone, where the main minerals are staurolite, rutile, tourmaline and zircon, followed by lower amounts of garnet, kyanite and dumortierite. This assemblage of minerals suggests a high textural and mineral maturity of the studied materials. It is an important argument concerning the origin of the pedological covering, suggesting that it was derived from the alteration processes of the overlaying sandstone, thus, confirming the residual characteristics of said materials in northwestern Paraná state.

Centimeter level GPS positioning is based on the very precise carrier beat phase measurements. However, this observable is ambiguous by a number of whole cycles between the satellite and receiver antenna at the first epoch of data collecting, which is called the ambiguity. GPS ambiguities are introduced as parameters to be estimated in the observation equations. However, since they are integer numbers there is no standard techniques for solve them. One of the ways is to apply sequential conditional least-squares estimation together with integer search techniques. The ambiguity resolution can be divided in two steps: estimation and validation. The estimation is concerned with the computation of the ambiguities values. The validation step is used to infer if the estimated value can be accepted or not. From the last decade until nowadays ambiguity resolution has been one of the most important research topic in geodetic positioning and a several methods have been proposed. Special attention has been made about the fast ambiguity resolution. The aim of this paper is to investigate the ambiguity resolution in the context of relative kinematic positioning and its implementation in the GPSeq software, which is a GPS data processing software developed in academic environment. In this paper some experiments about kinematic processing are presented, whose results shown that the GPSeq solution is compatible on the centimeter level with Reliance software. The results also shown an inefficiency of the ratio and the difference between the quadratic form of the residuals of the second best and best solution tests in validating the ambiguity resolution in time limits of solution of the baselines processed.

Preliminary results based on macroscopic and microscopic analysis of quaternary sedimentary structures and paleosoils preserved on footslope deposits are presented in this paper. Together with geochronologic estimates for the main pedo-stratigraphic units, the paper suggests an evolutionary pattern for geomorphic surfaces situated at the highlands of the States of Paraná and Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil. the association of that pattern with global environmental changes is postulated. Based on sedimentologic and geomorphologic evidences, paleohydrologic interpretations suggest the predominance of relative wet local climates at the end of the Pleistocene. Indeed, 14C ages of paleosoils in the study area suggest the development of organic and hydromorphic soils during the coldest periods of isotopic stages 3 and 2. As peat horizons need anaerobic conditions to fully develop, such a result lead us to challenge the predominant role attributed to lower precipitation as a cause of geomorphic and vegetation changes during the Quaternary in the tropics and subtropics. Indeed, together with lower precipitation. Lower temperatures and, most important, an excess of precipitation over evaporation should be considered as the same importance. In so far, the indication of waterlogged soils, even during the Last Glacial Maximum, well explain the pattern of evolution of geomorphic surfaces and related pedo-stratigraphic features in the area. Indeed, taking into account the calibrated isotopic curves from Antarctic ice cores for the last 40 ka, we conclude that soil development and colluvial building by diffuse processes prevailed during Stadials, while pulses of erosive incision punctuated Insterstadials.

The Arroio dos Ratos Complex is part of the Pelotas Batholith basement in the Sul-rio-grandense Shield. Geological and structural mapping of its type-section, in the region of Quitéria, RS, has led to the discrimination of the so-called Association 1 (A1), consisting of foliated tonalitic to dioritic rocks discordantly intruded by compositionally similar ones. Their basement comprises calc-silicate and tonalitic gneisses, as well as metavolcano-sedimentary rocks. The A1 rocks are medium- to coarse-grained, garnet-bearing biotite metatonalites, and mafic-rich, fine-grained metadiorites to metatonalites, where garnet is restricted to the most differentiated varieties. Field relations indicate that these fine-grained varieties have intruded the coarser ones as synplutonic dykes. The granoblastic texture found in both rock groups is attributed to their recrystallization under temperatures compatible with upper amphibolite to granulite facies conditions. The main foliation, S1 , is NW- to EW-striking, and its variation is attributed mainly to the 1 effect of F2 folding, whose axes plunge with low to moderate angles towards WSW, and coincides with the stretching lineation position. The original orientation of S1 , later fold effects being suppressed, is interpreted to have been sub-horizontal, with shallow dip angles towards WSW. Sense of movement determined from macro- and micro-scale structures indicates top-to-E. The A1 metatonalites and metadiorites are meta- to peraluminous rocks and belong to the medium to high-K calc-alkaline series. The behavior of major and trace elements, together with moderately fractionated REE-patterns, with enrichment of LREE in relation to HREE, indicate that this magmatism took place in a mature continental arc environment, and that the A1 is comparable to other TTG associations. Preliminary data indicate a Paleoproterozoic age for the A1 rocks. The information gathered in this paper enables the comparison of this association with the Encantadas Complex orthogneisses, although the latter show stronger effects of regional, orogenic metamorphism. Thus, the A1 rocks are interpreted to represent the more mature phase of the same magmatic arc where the Encantadas Complex protoliths were formed., O Complexo Arroio dos Ratos faz parte do embasamento do Batólito Pelotas, no Escudo Sulrio-grandense. O mapeamento geológico-estrutural de sua seção-tipo, na região de Quitéria, RS, levou à identificação de um conjunto de rochas tonalíticas a dioríticas foliadas, denominado Associação 1 (A1), intrudido discordantemente por rochas de composição similar. O embasamento destes tipos litológicos compreende gnaisses calcissilicáticos, gnaisses tonalíticos e rochas metavulcano-sedimentares. A A1 é composta por granada-biotita metatonalitos de granulação média a grossa e por metadioritos a metatonalitos de granulação fina, com granada restrita aos termos mais diferenciados. As relações de campo indicam que os termos finos constituem diques sinplutônicos intrudidos nos demais. Em ambos os grupos, a textura granoblástica é atribuída à recristalização sob temperaturas compatíveis com as da fácies anfibolito superior a granulito. A foliação S tem direção NW-SE a EW e a sua dispersão é atribuída 1 principalmente aos efeitos das dobras F2 , cujo eixo tem caimento baixo a médio para WSW, coincidente com a posição da lineação de estiramento, LX . Retirando-se os efeitos das dobras F2 , a geometria original da foliação na A1 teria sido sub-horizontal, com mergulho suave para WSW. O sentido de movimento dado por estruturas de macro e microescala indica topo para E. Os metatonalitos e metadioritos da A1 são meta a peraluminosos e pertencem à série cálcio-alcalina de médio a alto-K. O comportamento dos elementos maiores e traços e o padrão de fracionamento moderado dos ETR, com enriquecimento dos leves em relação aos pesados, indicam ambiente de arco continental maduro para o magmatismo desta associação e a mesma é comparável a associações TTG. Dados preliminares situam a A1 no Paleoproterozóico e o conjunto das informações permite compará-las aos ortognaisses do Complexo Encantadas, embora estes registrem com mais intensidade o metamorfismo regional orogênico. Assim, presume-se que as rochas da A1 representem o registro da fase mais madura do mesmo arco continental onde teria se gerado o Complexo Encantadas.

This paper presents a methodology for semi-automatic road extraction from digital images using active contour models or snakes. Snakes was proposed almost two decades ago, consisting in a parametric curve controlled by photometric and geometric constraints. This last ones generate internal forces that control the shape of the snakes curve. The photometric constraints generate external forces that attract the snakes curve to the selected feature, i.e., the road. As this snakes-based method is semi-automatic, firstly the operator must describe the road roughly using at least six seed points. From this initial position, the snakes curve moves around at each interation, stabilizing when it coincides with the road. This road extraction methodology was tested with digital aerial images of different resolution. The experimental results obtained with these images showed the method’s potential in accurate and reliable road extraction.

The aim of this paper is to investigate by SEM the presence of crystalline forms of noble metals in dehydrated tissues of Scutia buxifolia (Rhamnaceae), Scoparia montevidensis (Scrophulariaceae) and Adiantopsis cf. chlorophylla (Pteridaceae), a endemic vegetation on ultramafic soils from Pedras Pretas, São Sepé, southermost Brazil. Chemical composition of rocks, soils and ash plants were also determined by ICP-MS. The rocks and soils from Pedras Pretas show the expected geochemical pattern of ultramafic ones. Despite the low concentrations of some trace elements and noble metals in ash plants, the BSE images obtained by electron microprobe reveal the presence of semicrystals of Au, Pt, and Ag, besides Ni, Cr, Fe and Ca in xilem parenchyma cells from the species concerned. These preliminary data show the necessity of combination of mineralogical with biogeochemical and physiological investigations in order to demonstrate the importance of these plants in forming biominerals. Moreover, studies about metallic concentrations in plant tissues can contribute to the comprehension of detoxication mechanisms of plants that can be applied for phytoremediation purposes.

This paper presents the results of a study performed on bedload samples from the Salso Creek in the Porto Alegre City (Rio Grande do Sul State) rural area where agricultural and pastoral activities are carried out within urban areas. Sediment sampling took place on the 16th September 2001 (winter) and 21th January 2002 (summer), at five sites along the Salso Creek. The Salso Creek bed load changes from granules and pebbles (upstream reaches), through coarse- to medium-grained sand (mid reaches) to fine-to very fine-grained sand in the Salso Creek mouth region. Organic matter content increases throughout the summer low discharge due to the accumulation of the suspended load on the creek bed surface. Grains larger then 0.062 mm feature the following estimated mineralogical composition: feldspar (55-50%), quartz (30-40%), opaque (5-10%) and acessory (5-10%) minerals. Among the finegrained sediments (< 0.062 mm) kaolinite dominates being followed by a minor amount of muscovite/illite as well as quartz, feldspar and smectite traces. The chemical composition of the fine-grained sediments reveals that, among the major (Al, Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, Na and K) and trace (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) analyzed elements, the Al content is high, probably a result of the kaolinite-rich (Al4(Si4O10)(OH)8) composition of the fine-grained fraction. GeoAccumulation Index calculation shows no significant accumulation of any of the analyzed elements within the finegrained fraction, hence indicating slightly to moderately polluted sediments. On the other hand Contamination Factor computation for the sediments fine-grained fraction pointed out a Cu, Ni and Zn enrichment, indicating considerable to high contamination, especially for those places directly under domestic sewerage influence. These elements are probably being concentrated in the fine-grained fraction of the bed load.

This paper describes the bivalve Modiolopsis (?) clarkei n. sp, coming from the Curva I outcrop, Ponta Grossa Formation. The species name was given in honor to J. M. Clarke, who first studied it. This fossil also occurs in the Durazno Group, in Uruguay, reinforcing the correlation between the Devonian Paraná Basin invertebrate fauna with others of the Malvinocaffrik Realm, as suggested by previous authors. The classification of M. (?) clarkei in a typical Ordovician genus or lineage, that can reach the Silurian and Lower Devonian periods, supports an Emsian age to the Curva I outcrop, as have been accepted.

This paper deals with some aspects which should be taken into account for the densification of geodetic network using GPS technology, specially in the concern of Earth body tide modes, ambiguity resolution and the variance propagation of the network constrains. Based on trials accomplished for a GPS network, some aspects of GPS network optimization and processing are presented. In network optimization, applied to GPS networks, are presented the Zero Order, First Order and Second Order Problems, showing the needs of planning the GPS observations and processing in such a way that one can reach the required accuracy with high reliability and low costs. In the tests to evaluate the need for applying Earth body tide model, it was verified that it is necessary for baselines longer than 200 km for the majority of network application. It was noticed that the ambiguity solution should always be analyzed before accepting a fixed solution as the best, since the presented results demonstrated that some fixed ambiguities are inconsistent. In the processing trials with fixed constrains (without taken into account the precision) or fiducial constrains (with associated precision), it was noticed that the former provided better dispersion values for the new points, however, the last one provided more reliable values, since the new points have associated with themselves the uncertainty of the datum points.

The analysis of geomorphic and sedimentological characteristics of the inner continental shelf is an important propriety to studies of the coastal zone since they inform the conditions of the sea bottom, the predominant features and the types of associated sediments. Associated to morfodinamic study it can, for example, identify predisposed areas to erosive processes. The present paper shows the batimetry (to -20m) and the sediments distribution in the inner continental shelf between Porto de Galinhas and Campos beaches, south coast of Pernambuco State. The work results constitute pioneering mark in the inner continental shelf of the Pernambuco state.

This paper presents results of SEM and EDS study in some Brazilian gemstones. Emerald from Campos Verdes (GO) contains several mineral inclusions as talc, dolomite, chromite, pyrite, magnetite, etc. Sylvite crystals was firstly identified by SEM/EDS. These salt inclusions suggest percolation of K-bearing fluids during emerald crystallization. Emerald from Campos Verdes present higher concentration of Cr+3 in the outer green zones than in the inner colourless zones, showing that ion is a chromophore in this gemstone. SEM and EDS results combined with optical microscopy analyses demonstrate that amethyst from Rio Grande do Sul State (RS) contain needle-like inclusions of goethite and not cacoxenite and rutile as suggest by other workers. By these techniques it was possible to identify pyrolusite and hollandite as late minerals inside agate and quartz geodes from RS. SEM and EDS data of corundum from Barra Velha (SC) show that silk effect is produced by diaspore inclusions. These techniques also reveal that the asterism in this corundum is produced by empty needle-like channels instead of the presence rutile inclusions as commonly observed in other worldwide deposits. Rounded zircon inclusions are common in corundum from Indaiá, Palmeiras, Caputira and Campo Belo (MG). Sillimanite and/or kyanite inclusions in corundum crystals of secondary deposits from Indaiá suggest a metamorphic origin to this gemstone. Corundum from Caputira also contains several rounded rutile inclusions, which are diagnostic for this occurrence.

Monazite structural group includes arsenates, phosphates, and silicates, with general formulae A B O4 , (A = Bi, Ca, Rare Earth Elements, Th, U and B = As5+, P5+, Si4+). Among them, the phosphate monazite is the most abundant independent Rare Earth Element mineral, occurring in several geological sites. It presents a variable composition and morphology and has strong chemical and physical stability. This paper presents a review about this mineral, particularly for monazite associated with carbonatite complexes. Detailed study of the composition of monazite will improve geochemical and petrological interpretations. In the economic field, monazite is, with bastnaesite, an ore mineral present in the main deposits in the world; its morphological and composition characteristics have influence in ore quality and in efficiency of concentration processes. Since the seventhies, its importance reachs the environmental field and his highly stable structure has been investigated as model for a synthetic phase to long-term storage of radionuclides from nuclear waste. The most important monazite ore deposits in Brazil are alluvional. Monazite occurs also in other materials, mainly in carbonatites and their weathering products, which may constitute important source of REE. In these rocks, because its high stability and possibility of weathering genesis, monazite is the most important among the phosphate minerals. However, researches about monazite associated with Brazilian carbonatitic materials have shown mainly unfavourable morphological characteristics for economic profit.

Volcanic deposits can be included in two main groups: coherent and volcaniclastic. The former results from volcanic and sub-volcanic (syn-volcanic intrusions) effusive events, excluding autoclastic portions, and the second group, which is related to deposits constituted by volcanic fragments, encompassing primary deposits (pyroclastic) generated from fragment dispersion through gases and hot vapour, syn-eruptive resedimented deposits, besides volcanogenic sedimentary deposits. Clast transport processes are separated in three broad categories: mass-flow, traction and suspension. Basic concepts that are used in the study of volcanic rocks, classification and characterization of the main subaerial pyroclastic deposits are discussed in this paper, considering lithological and genetic aspects. Lithological aspects are mainly related to composition, components and grain-size of the deposits, while genetic aspects and interpretations are based on clast-forming and depositional processes, allowing understanding about eruption and emplacement conditions. Emphasis is given to pumiceous pyroclastic flow deposits, describing their main textural features and the post-depositional modifications associated to them. The discussed concepts are applied in the reconstruction of the Neoproterozoic pyroclastic flow deposits of two plateaus in the Sul-rio-grandense Shield, southernmost Brazil. The main characteristic of the Taquarembo Plateau is the occurrence of stratified/partially welded ignimbrites and high-grade welded deposits, while massive and crystal-rich ignimbrites are more common in the Ramada Plateau. The facies association of both plateaus suggests a fissural volcanic regime in a subaerial setting, associated to the post-collisional stages of the Brasiliano-Pan African Orogenic Cicle.

The majority of worldwide coasts is experiencing a wide range of anthropogenic and natural pressures. These issues have become a major threat to economic sustainability and environmental quality, intensifying use conflicts, creating social unrest and destabilizing the national economy. Recognizing the socioeconomic importance of the coastal zone. the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) has prominently placed integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) in the Agenda 21. ICZM is an ecologically-based approach to environmental management and it is associated with two general objectives: (i) to restore and maintain the ecological integrity of coastal ecosystems, and (ii) to maintain important human values and uses with those resources. The above mentioned natural and anthropogenic pressures illustrate the wide range of interacting, incompletely understood issues and the difficult challenger that any strategy to attain an ICZM must address. The Brazilian ICZM could be referred as the National Plan Coastal Management, legally established in 1988. As the most developed region in Brazil, the State of São Paulo coastal zone is also undergoing numerous natural and anthropogenic pressures. Among the natural pressures are sea-level rise and global climate change. Anthropogenic pressures are consequence of rapid urbanization, population growth, tourism activities, port and harbor development, industrialization, natural resources exploitation, waste assimilation and environmental pollution. The State of São Paulo has also its own ICZM named State Plan for Coastal Management (SPCM), which is derived from the National one. This paper presents the general organization of the SPCM, including government polices, framework, implementation strategies and actions, as well as the important role played by Quaternary studies in order to improve this plan.

This paper deals with the characterization of Guanabara Bay region using benthic foraminifera assemblages as an attempt to establish marine sensitive indicator species. Four fixed hydrographic stations were performed in winter during neap tide to obtain stratification-circulation water parameters besides the twenty six surface sediment samples used to evaluate absolute and relative frequency of foraminiferal species. It was possible to correlate the foraminiferal species to physical parameters as salinity, temperature, intensity and direction of currents from different water masses and defined Cassidulina subglobosa and Discorbis spp as marine indicator species in the bay region.

This paper intend to contribute on understanding of small part of tropical/subtropical large river fluvial geomorphology: the high Paraná river flood system. The studied area is inserted in Baía River Compartment, characterized of large alluvial plain, in the right margin of high Paraná River, and the greater archipelagoes subdividing the channel in branches with different importance. The intensity of erosive process on the Paraná River banks were studied in four different kinds of channel by 29 points, during a hydrodynamic cycle. The obtained data was still treated with cluster analysis and the correlation through the linear and exponential regression among variables. Results evidenced that the flow velocity and mechanical composition of banks were the main variables of bank erosion rates, and that the another variables, like roots and vegetation, do not had any influence to control the bank erosion. Erosion, accretion and by pass are processes controlled by the Paraná river regime, by shifting of the talweg position and then also controlled by intensity, duration and recurrence of flood.

Meanwhile the highest relative sea-level is the present one in southeastern United States (Gulf of Mexico) or in Netherlands coast, most of the Brazilian coast exhibited Holocene sea-levels higher than the present in the past. The Brazilian curves, representing the relative sea-level changes during last 7.000 years, are outlined using sedimentological, biological and prehistorical past sea-level records. This paper shows that these relative sea-level records, during the Holocene, can be suitably used to demonstrate the influence of the worldwide known paleoclimatic events, like the “Hypsithermal Age” and “Neoglaciation” on the Brazilian coast.

Monitoring on coastal erosion problems along the São Paulo shoreline have been carrying out by the author since mid the 80’s, including almost 87% of the whole 430 km length of sandy beaches. Eleven types of indicators of coastal erosional processes have been recognized, which have been attributed to seventeen causes, among them ten correspond to natural mechanisms and seven are due to anthropogenic interference. In this paper is presented rates of shoreline retreat based on the Bruun Rule application for six of the most threatened beaches, for a period as long as 56 years. Risk assessment is also estimated for these six beaches based on two criteria: (i) the total number (sum) of types of coastal erosion indicators found along the shoreline (frequency among the 11 types) and (ii) general spatial distribution (percentage of surface area) of coastal erosion indicators along the shoreline. Causes and effects of the coastal erosional processes are discussed for these six beaches. Results reveal high rates of shoreline retreat, even in non-urbanized areas, as well demonstrate that the six beaches are at very-high risk. Moreover, they indicate that natural mechanisms are very important as cause of coastal erosional processes in São Paulo, sometimes most them the human-induced causes. These studies have widely been supporting the State Plan for Coastal Zone Management, in order to create special rules for occupation and some activities along the shoreline, including engineering works, building and sand beach exploration. Besides, results are being recorded in a geoenvironmental information system for the Coastal Zone of the State of São Paulo (Project SIIGAL), which is in phases of implantation.

The Uruguayan Atlantic coast is wave dominated. It appears as a sequence of beaches built between rocky headlands showing all ranges of morphodynamic behaviors from reflective to dissipative. Several beaches are undergoing erosion. All of them coincide with urbanized areas. In most cases the causes have not been established yet but there is no doubt that human activities have contributed to such problems. This fact raises the question about the nature of the erosion process. Does location of beaches under erosion on urbanized areas prove the man-induced origin of it? This paper discusses the possible factors involved on the beach erosion process. Sediment inputs to the beaches are limited. The inner shelf is likely to be the main source as it is covered with sandy sediments and shows a low gradient relief. The most significant continental source are the gullies although this remains a controversial issue as sediments eroded from them are usually finer than beach sediments. Anyway, as minor as it might be, this input contributes positively to the beach sediment budget. Sediment losses occur mainly by the inland migration of dunes and human activities. The latter includes the occupation of the backshore and frontal dunes, the building of seawalls, revetments and other hard structures to protect the houses, and the fixation of mobile dunes by planting. Pinus and Eucalyptus forests. Possible natural causes for beach erosion include storm surges and concentration of wave energy due to wave refraction. The latter hypothesis arouse in this research from wave refraction diagrams that showed a strong influence of the shelf relief on wave climate.

The concept of dissipation structures (Bigarella. 1914) refers to processes result introducing morphological, structural and textural modifications imposed to coastal sandy deposits, dunes and beach ridges, during Quaternary global changes. Several structures had been associated to the concept of dissipation structures. although fine textured lenticular contorted structures seems predominant, Twenty-five years later, several doubts persist about the concept. This paper stresses some considerations about de definition of dissipation structures as fine textured lenticular contorted structures ("band of fine") on the basis of the doubts that persist up to nowadays, The main aspects of our analysis deal with: a) the genetic ambiguity of the term: b) the distinction between the different genetic processes: c) the similarity between dissipation structures and pedologic lamellae; d) the generalization of the model associated with the concept. Attention is required when applying the expression dissipation structures to fine textured lenticular contorted structures ("band of fine"). Indeed, this application should be restricted to areas where dissipation processes are well established. In cases other then that, the use of the morphologic expression lamellae is preferable. Also, adjectives may be used to indicate other processes, as iluviation-lamellae for cases when tile accumulation of secondary fine material is verified.

This paper proposes a classification of gravel deposits in the upper Paraná River Basin based on their genesis, sedimentary facies and depositional processes. They were classified in four types: a) Upper slope oligomictic gravel (Fine and coarse-sand associations) – this deposit is associated with the origin of hydrographic basin during the Tertiary; b) Middle slope oligomictic gravel – It constitutes colluvial deposits related to present topography; c) Lower slope oligomictic gravel – this deposit is associated with present river valley; d) Polymictic gravel – deposited during the Pleistocene, it constitutes the basal sequence of the Paraná River fluvial deposits.

This paper presents an assessment about the modes of fine sediment transport in the Itajaí River estuary. ·The available information to approach a conceptual model is derived from three primary sources: (1) the river sediment delivery; (2) the distribution of salinity and particulate suspended mailer (MPS) along the estuary under influence of different river discharge conditions; and (3) near bed hydro-sedimentological processes. The river sediment delivery was achieved by daily monitoring the water and the suspended sediment discharge, since November 1998 at the Indaial lymnimetric station, which represents about 70 % of the drainage basin. The salinity and MPS distribution in the estuary were obtained through 47 weekly surveys along the estuary when vertical profiles of these variables were acquired every 1-1,5 km from the mouth to the upper limit of the salt intrusion. The surveys were carried out between November 1998 and November 1999, using an inflatable boat. The results allowed obtain the relationship between the salt wedge extension as function of the river discharge and the estuarine trapping efficiency. The near-bed hydro-sedimenlological processes were assessed through the deployment of an instrument tripod on the estuarine bed al the channel thalweg 4 km upstream from the mouth. The current speed, water level and MPS data were recorded hourly, 1 m above the bottom, from September to November 1999. Based on this data set, two main modes of fine sediment transport in the Itajaí River estuary were identified: a tidal driven and a fluvial driven mode. The tidal driven mode occurs when the river discharge is bellow 200 m3.s-1. Near bottom sediments arc in all erosion-deposition cycle following the semi-diurnal tides and the anomalistic cycle of spring and neap tides, with net sediment transport landwards. During such periods fine sediment is imported from the inner shelf. This mode occurs at time scales of weeks to months. The fluvial driven mode are fully developed when the river discharge exceeds 1,000 m3.s-1. accompanied by suspended sediment load as high as 10,000 ton.day-1. Fluvial advective process fully dominates the sediment transport resulting in zero trapping efficiency.

A point bar is one of the main architectural elements of a fluvial system, commonly described in several sedimentary basins all over the world. However, there are only few examples of this kind of macroform described in Brazilian sedimentary basins. In this paper, two point bars in ancient fluvial deposits outcropping in the Rio Grande do Sul State were described. The Point Bar 1 (PB1) is interpreted as lateral accretion deposits in a bed load channel of moderate to high sinuosity, whose depth was around 5 meters. The PB2 is associated to a mixed load channel, with high sinuosity and depth around 6 meters. Based on geometrical, textural and structural characteristics, differences in depositional and hydrodynamic conditions of the studied paleochannels deposits have been established.

This paper deal with recognition of first granulite occurrence in the eastern portion of the Sul-rio-grandense Shield. The granulitic rocks outcrop in the Varzea do Capivarita region, Encruzilhada do Sul block, as gneisses mostly quartzo-feldspatic with orthopyroxene and biotite, associated with supracrustal rocks metamorphosed under upper amphibolite facies conditions. Microprobe analyses show the orthopyroxene as ferrohypersthene. The mineral assemblage of upper amphibolite facies rocks, such as andulazite + sillimanite + biotite + D-feldpars + quartz, points to low pressure conditions of ca. 4 kb. This high grade association is Brasiliano in age, preserved as roof pendants and megaxenoliths within the younger Brasiliano granitoids. On other side, the Santa Maria Chico Granulites Complex, situated in the western portion of Sul-rio-grandense Shield, formed in higher pressure (9,4 kb) during the Paleoproterozoic.