Article
Morphological characteristics of rhodolith and correlations with associated sediment in a sandstone reef: Northeast Brazil
Regional Studies in Marine Science
(2016)
Abstract
The continental shelf of Northeast Brazil is a unique geological region, consisting of shallow-water rhodolith beds. However, very little information exists about the complexity of this part of the continental shelf and its biogenic sedimentation. The present study analysed the characteristics of rhodoliths (size, shape and structure) and compares these characteristics with the associated sediments (Grain size, biogenic composition and percentage of CaCO). The study area was located on a sandstone reef area on the inner continental shelf of Northeast Brazil. Our results show that recently dead rhodoliths are the main component of the pebble fraction with mean diameter near to 2 cm. The focal area is characterised by beds of rhodoliths, featuring individuals of all shapes (discoidal, ellipsoidal and spheroidal), with the ellipsoidal shape being the most abundant. The larger rhodoliths exhibited a near spheroidal shape, and their outer growth forms show high branching density (BIV). The associated sediment was predominantly composed of carbonate from marine fauna and flora, and calcareous algae contributed most to the sand fraction of the sediments.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2016
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2016.10.005
Citation Information
Edd Hammill. "Morphological characteristics of rhodolith and correlations with associated sediment in a sandstone reef: Northeast Brazil" Regional Studies in Marine Science Vol. 8 Iss. part 1 (2016) p. 133 - 140 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/edd-hammill/33/