Estratigrafia de dunas costeiras de Salinópolis/PA em associação com variações pluviométricas

Abstract

The present study was carried out at Salinópolis covering the Atalaia and Maçarico beaches (PA/North Brazil) to obtain a morpho-stratigraphic overview of the local coastal dunes and their evolution in Late Holocene, considering also climatic oscillations. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), auger coring, granulometric analysis and dating were used. The GPR-system SIR-2000 with a 400MHz antenna was used to reveal dune stratigraphy, including sedimentary facies and reactivation surfaces. At key-points of profiles sediment cores were obtained to proper interpretation of radargrams and sediment samples collection for grain size analysis and optical dating. At the Maçarico beach two main foredune crests were identified and dated at 69 and 80 years B.P. revealing a progradation rate of around 6 meters/year. The Atalaia beach presented a transgressive scenario, including retrogradation of the Holocene beach over older sediment layers, which include a feature interpreted as of Pleistocene age, although optical dating indicates an age of only 58 years B.P. due to actual sun light exposition. There, a parabolic dune was investigated and had revealed a migration rate of around 4 meters/year, where the reflectors indicate annual episodes of migration, possibly corresponding to the seasonal cycles of dryer periods and stronger winds. The general stratigraphy of the area seems to be a good tool for further studies on climate for the region, due to its good correlation with seasonal climatic patterns and long term register.