The Florida Reef Tract in Southeast Florida is made up of hard-bottom formations. The shape and size of the tract is constantly changing. One major factor contributing to these changes is the movement of sand. This is influenced by location-based, human-induced, and natural factors. These shifting sands cover or uncover reef structure. Images of the Florida Reef Tract in Palm Beach County were analyzed by the Department of Geosciences at Florida Atlantic University, using a partially automated method of mapping. There are notable changes in reef structure throughout the years 2004-2006, in which many major storm events occurred in the region. A time series analysis was conducted throughout these years. Losses and gains of reef structure were quantified and compared throughout the county as a whole, in beach renourishment project areas, and inlet intervals. Trends suggest that the major storms of 2004-2006 may have had effects on the reef tract. / by Joseph G. Pitti. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

The submerged paleodrainage system of the early Balize delta complex that extended onto the inner continental shelf at 1500 YBP has not been completely studied in great detail. This study interprets the environmental deltaic facies of the Balize Delta, in the Sandy Point region offshore the southeastern Louisiana coast from 120 km of seismic data and 48 vibracores. The stratigraphic and environmental units established in this study provide a geological framework for this area. Overlying Holocene deposits interpreted to be muds of prodelta and lower delta front origin were interpreted as having been deposited from the retreating delta sit atop a transgressive surface, indicated by the toplapping seismic reflectors, the ravinement surface. The deltaic facies below the ravinement surface are of regressive origin an inner shelf delta with widespread delta front sheet sands from a dense group of many distributaries. This research provides a concise methodology adapted from multiple studies for modeling deltaic facies of offshore sand resource targets. / by Zachary Samuel Mester. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

The circulation along the south coast of Western Australia was examined using field data and numerical modelling. Physical processes in this region, particularly along the continental shelf and slope regions, were poorly understood due to a paucity of field measurements. Data were collected during a research cruise on RV Southern Surveyor (04/2006) during April 2006 consisting of 18 CTD transects from Twilight Cove (126oE) to Cape Leeuwin (115oE) and was augmented by shipborne ADCP data. The field data set provided a detailed understanding of three major current systems: Leeuwin Current (LC), Leeuwin Undercurrent (LU) and Flinders Current (FC). The LC along the south coast exhibits different characteristics when compared to that along the west coast. The LC flows into the colder and lower salinity subantarctic environment of the south coast. This is evident in a strong geopotential gradient off the south-west corner of Australia (Cape Leeuwin) resulting in rapid acceleration of the LC as it reaches a maximum velocity in this region. Numerical modelling studies, using the Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS) indicated that wind stress is an important component of the dynamics in this region. This was identified when comparing summer and winter conditions when the winds act in opposite directions, from north-westerly to southeasterly respectively. Along the shelf break and slope, the Flinders Current (FC) interacts with LC. As the dominant current, the FC serves both as a surface and as an undercurrent, transporting sub Antarctic mode water (SAMW). This interconnection the FC and LU can be seen clearly from the salinity, temperature and velocities within the depth range 200-700m postulating a connection between subsurface waters off Tasmania (origin of the Flinders Current) and the tropical Indian Ocean through the Flinders and Leeuwin Undercurrents.

The Gascoyne continental shelf is located along the north-central coastline of Western Australia between latitudes 21° and 28°S. This study presents CTD and ADCP data together with concurrent wind and satellite imagery, to provide a description of the summer surface circulation pattern along the continental margin, and the hydrography present in the upper 1km of ocean, between latitudes 21° and 35°S. It also discusses the outcome of a numerical modelling study that examined the physical factors contributing to a bifurcation event persistently observed in satellite imagery at Point Cloates. The region comprises a complex system of four surface water types and current systems. The Leeuwin Current dominated the surface flow, transporting lower salinity, warmer water poleward along the shelf-break, and causing downwelling. Its signature ‘aged’ from a warm (24.7°C), lower salinity (34.6) water in the north to a cooler (21.9°C), more saline (35.2) water in the south, as a result of 2-4Sv geostrophic inflow of offshore waters. The structure and strength of the current altered with changing bottom topographies. The Ningaloo Current flowed along the northernmost inner coast of the Gascoyne shelf, carrying upwelled water and re-circulated Leeuwin Current water from the south. Bifurcation of the Ningaloo Current was seen south of the coastal promontory at Point Cloates. Numerical modelling demonstrated a combination of southerly winds and coastal and bottom topography off Point Cloates to be responsible for the recirculation, and indicated that the strength of southerly winds affect recirculation. Hypersaline Shark Bay outflow influenced shelf waters at the Bay’s mouth and to the south of the Bay. The Capes Current, a wind-driven current from south of the study region was identified as a cooler, more saline water mass flowing northward. Results of the hydrography study show five different water masses present in the upper-ocean. Their orientations were affected by the geopotential gradient driven Leeuwin Current/Undercurrent system at the continental margin. The Leeuwin Undercurrent was found at the shelf-slope, carrying (>252 μM/L) Subantarctic Mode Water at a depth of 400m

Uma abordagem multiproxy [n-alcanos, alquenonas, n-alcanóis, esteróis, carbono orgânico total (COT) e δ13C] foi utilizada em amostras de testemunho sedimentar de alta resolução para avaliar variações paleoclimáticas e paleoceanográficas na região da Plataforma Continental de Sudeste do Brasil ao longo do Holoceno Tardio. O modelo de idade, obtido através da análise de 14C, demonstrou que o testemunho representa os últimos 2900 anos. A partir dos marcadores, principalmente os moleculares orgânicos, foi possível observar quatro diferentes fases ao longo do testemunho, com eventos característicos de cada fase. A primeira fase, entre a base do testemunho e 1800 anos antes do presente (AP), apresentou as concentrações mais altas de marcadores moleculares terrígenos, valores mais altos de COT e da taxa de sedimentação, além de apresentar um aumento nos valores da temperatura da superfície do mar (TSM). Com isso, essa fase foi relacionada a um regime pluviométrico mais intenso no continente adjacente provavelmente relacionado ao dipolo de temperatura entre os oceanos Atlântico nordeste e sudoeste e mudanças na intensidade da Zona de Convergência do Atlântico Sul (ZCAS), influenciado principalmente pela frequência de eventos El Niño Oscilação Sul (ENOS) e deslocamento da Zona de Convergência Intertropical (ZCIT) para regiões mais ao sul. A segunda fase, entre 1800 e 1600 AP, foi associado a um período de regime hidrodinâmico mais intenso, com um meandramento mais vigoroso da Corrente do Brasil (CB), dificultando a deposição de sedimentos finos na região e causando os percentuais mais altos da fração areia nesse período. A terceira fase, entre 1600 e 600 anos AP, foi caracterizada por uma mudança do aporte regional de material terrígeno proveniente de regiões mais ao sul da área de coleta do testemunho, provavelmente Rio da Prata, e transportado pela Corrente Costeira do Brasil (CCB), indicado pela presença dos marcadores moleculares e pela diminuição da TSM. A quarta fase, entre 600 anos AP e o topo do testemunho, apresentou um aumento gradual de marcadores marinhos e diminuição mais acentuada da TSM. Esse comportamento está relacionado a intensificação dos eventos de ressurgência na região entre a Ilha de São Sebastião e Cabo Frio, causada por regimes de vento NE e pela formação de meandros da CB. Os períodos correspondentes aos eventos Medieval Climate Change e Little Ice Age não apresentaram variações dos marcadores ou da TSM no testemunho analisado. / A multiproxy approach [n-alkanes, alkenones, n-alkanols, sterols, total organic carbon (TOC) and δ13C] was used in samples of a high resolution sediment core to evaluate paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic variations in the continental shelf region of Southeastern Brazil along the Late Holocene. The age model, obtained through the 14C analysis, demonstrated that the core represents the last 2900 years. Using the markers, especially the organic molecular ones, it was possible to observe four different phases along the core, with characteristic events of each phase. The first phase, between the base of the core and 1800 years before present (BP), presented the highest concentrations of terrigenous molecular markers, the highest values of TOC and sedimentation rate, in addition to an increase in the sea surface temperature (SST) values. This phase was related to a more intense pluviometric regime in the adjacent continent, probably related to the temperature dipole between the northeast and southwest Atlantic oceans and changes in the South Atlantic Convergence Zone (SACZ) intensity, mainly influenced by the frequency of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events and displacement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) to more southern regions. The second phase, between 1800 and 1600 BP, was associated to a more intense hydrodynamic period, with a more vigorous meander of the Brazilian Current (BC), making the deposition of fine sediments difficult in the region and causing the highest percentages of the sand fraction in this period. The third phase, between 1600 and 600 years BP, was characterized by a change in the regional supply of terrigenous material, where it would come from regions further south from the sampling core area, probably Rio de la Plata, and transported by Brazilian Coastal Current (BCC), indicated by the presence of molecular markers and decreased of SST. The fourth phase, between 600 years AP and the top of the core, showed a gradual increase of marine markers and a more pronounced decrease of SST. These results are related to the intensification of resurgence events in the region between São Sebastião Island and Cabo Frio, caused by NE wind regimes and CB meander formation. The periods corresponding to the events Medieval Climate Change and Little Ice Age did not present variations of the markers or the SST in the analyzed core.

Orientador: Otto Bismarck Fazzano Gadig / Coorientador: Debra Jean Murie / Resumo: As raias-viola (Elasmobranchii: Rhinobatiformes) são geralmente components da captura acessória da pesca multiespecífica de arrasto na região sudeste e sul do Brasil. Considerando a falta de estudos específicos sobre a estrutura etária e populacional dessas espécies há, portanto uma necessidade de pesquisas que possibilitem uma avaliação adequada da condição desses estoques. O presente avaliou a estrutura e a capacidade de crescimento populacional, dessas espécies na plataforma continental do Estado de São Paulo, utilizando para isso o estudo de idade e crescimento e a análise demográfica. Estavam disponíveis para o estudo 149 exemplares de Rhinobatos horkelli, 752 exemplares de Rhinobatos percellens e 952 exemplares de Zapteryx brevirostris. Desse total foi utilizada uma sub-amostra para realização do estudo de idade e crescimento. O melhor modelo que descreveu o crescimento das espécies foi a função do cresciemento de três parâmetros von Bertalanffy, sendo que os parâmetros estimados foram: L∞=121.71, k=0.21 e t0=-1.34 para Rhinobatos horkelli (sexo agrupado); L∞=106.99, k=0.17 e t0=-1.51 para Rhinobatos percellens (fêmea); L∞=90.69, k=0.24 e t0=-1.36 para Rhinobatos percellens (macho); L∞=60.73, k = 0.23 e t0 = -1.44 para Zapteryx brevirostris (fêmea) e L∞ = 57.88, k=0.26 e t0=-1.29 para Zapteryx brevirostris (macho). Através da análise de borda e do incremento marginal, sugere-se a formação de um par de banda (opaca e translúcida) por ano. A formação da banda translúcida deve ocorrrer entre o final do inverno até próximo do final da primavera. Cinco cenários foram avaliados para verificar a taxa intrínseca de crescimento populacional. De acordo com os resultados obtidos sob condições naturais e com a ausência da pesca a populacão de Rhinobatos horkelli pode aumentar cerca de 9% por ano, Rhinobatos percellens cerca de 10% ao ano e Zapteryx brevirostris 3.9% ao ano. Em um outro cenário com ... / Abstract: Guitarfishes (Elamobranchii, Rhinobatiformes) are usually components of the multispecific fishery as by-catch of double-rig, pair and single bottom trawls in the southeast and south of Brazil (Martins & Schwingel, 2003). Considering the lack of life history parameters on the age and population structure studies of these species there is therefore a need for research to enable a proper assessment of the condition of these stocks. We evaluated the structure and the capacity of population growth in the State of São Paulo continental shelf, using the estimated growth and demographic parameters. Were available for this study, 149 samples of Rhinobatos horkelli, 752 samples of Rhinobatos percellens and 952 samples of Zapteryx brevirostris.A sub-sample were used for the age and growth study. The best model that describes the growth of the species was the three parameters von Bertalanffy growth function. Estimated parameters were : L∞=121.71 , k =0.21, and t0 = -1.34 for Rhinobatos horkelli (grouped sex), L∞ = 106.99 , k = 0.17 and t0 = -1.51 for Rhinobatos percellens (female) , L∞ = 90.69 , k = 0:24 and t0 = -1.36 for Rhinobatos percellens (male), L∞ = 60.73 , k = 0.23 and t0 = - 1.44 to Zapteryx brevirostris (female) and L∞ = 57.88 , k = 0.26 and t0 = -1.29 for Zapteryx brevirostris (male). Centrum edge analysis and marginal increment suggests the formation of one band-pair (opaque and translucent) per year. The formation of the translucent band should occour from late winter to the end of the spring. Five scenarios were evaluated for estimated the intrinsic rate of population growth. According to the results obtained under natural mortality conditions and in the absence of fishing, population trends of Rhinobatos horkelli showed a increase about 9% per year, Rhinobatos percellens about 10% per year and Zapteryx brevirostris 3.9% per year. When were considered scenarios with the presence of fishing, all species ... / Doutor

Proxies geoquímicos (n-alcanos, alquenonas, GDGTs, δ13C, Fe/Ca e Ti/Ca), obtidos em amostras de um testemunho sedimentar, foram utilizados para avaliar as mudanças paleoclimáticas e paleoceanográficas na região da Plataforma Continental de São Sebastião ao longo do Holoceno Tardio. O modelo de idade, obtido através da análise conjunta dos métodos de 210Pb e 14C, demonstrou que testemunho aqui estudado cobre os últimos 1500 anos. A avaliação dos marcadores terrígenos permitiu a identificação das mudanças na drenagem e erosão continental, as quais estão relacionadas às alterações no regime de precipitação do continente adjacente. Variações ao longo do tempo na temperatura da superfície do mar foram relacionadas às mudanças no regime de ventos predominante, os quais são responsáveis por um aumento ou uma redução da frequência dos eventos de ressurgência. Já as mudanças nos valores de temperatura de subsuperfície foram relacionadas com a entrada e saída da Água Central do Atlântico Sul próxima às regiões costeiras, e com os processos de mistura na coluna d\'água. As variações na temperatura média do ar (TMA), por sua vez, provavelmente estiveram relacionadas com mudanças na irradiação total solar. Períodos representados pelos valores mais elevados de TMA correspondem aos períodos de máxima irradiação solar conhecidos como Máxima Medieval (1100 a 1250 DC) e Máxima Moderna (1950 - presente) e o período representado pelos menores valores de TMA coincide com o período de mínima solar conhecido como Spörer. Além disso, foi possível observar uma redução na entrada de material terrígeno para a plataforma continental durante a Anomalia Climática Medieval. Em contrapartida, o período que corresponde a Pequena Era do Gelo foi caracterizado por um aumento da contribuição terrígena. No geral, foi possível observar que o gradiente de temperatura da superfície do mar entre o Oceano Atlântico Norte e o Atlântico Sul parece desempenhar um papel importante desencadeando ou amplificando as mudanças climáticas observados nos trópicos. Este dipolo de temperatura pode ocasionar mudanças na posição da Zona de Convergência Intertropical e no regime de ventos predominantes, que por sua vez irão influenciar, direta e indiretamente, nas mudanças na circulação marinha de superfície e no regime de chuvas da região. / Geochemical proxies (n-alkanes, alkenones, GDGTs, δ13C, Fe / Ca and Ti / Ca) were used to evaluate the paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic changes in the Continental Shelf of São Sebastião during the Late Holocene. The age model, obtained through the combined analyses of 210Pb and 14C methods, indicated that the core used in this study covers the last 1500 years. Variations in the sea surface temperature may be related to changes in the prevailing winds, which in turn are responsible for an increase or reduction in the frequency of the upwelling events. Changes in subsurface temperature values can be related to the presence of the South Atlantic Central Water near the coastal regions, and the mixing processes in the water column. Changes in mean air temperature (MAT), in turn, are probably related to fluctuations in total solar radiation, since periods represented by higher values of MAT correspond to the periods of maximum solar irradiation known as Medieval (1100-1250 AD) and Modern Maximum (1950 - present). While the period represented by the lower MAT values can be linked to the solar minimum period known as Spörer. The evaluation of terrigenous markers allowed the identification of variations in the drainage and continental erosion, which in turn are related to changes in the precipitation of the adjacent continent. Furthermore, the Medieval Climate Anomaly was characterized by a decrease in the terrigenous input, while the Little Ice Age could be characterized as a period of increased terrestrial contribution. Overall, it was observed that the sea surface temperature gradient between the North Atlantic and the South Atlantic Oceans appears to play an important role in triggering or amplifying climate change observed in the tropics. This temperature dipole can cause changes in the position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone and the direction of prevailing winds, which in turn will influence, directly and indirectly, the marine circulation and the rainfall.

A fim de avaliar a influência do sistema estuarino de Santos sobre os Nematoda da plataforma continental adjacente, a densidade, composição genérica e diversidade desse grupo foram analisadas e relacionadas com o tipo de sedimento, teor de matéria orgânica e biomassa de fitopigmentos. Para isso, o sedimento foi coletado em seis estações, no inverno/2005 e verão/2006, com um amostrador do tipo box-corer, do qual foram retiradas amostras para a meiofauna com um tubo de 4,9 cm2 de área superficial e 10 cm de altura. Os Nematoda representaram mais de 95% da meiofauna, com densidades médias de 2472±1794 ind.10cm-2 no inverno/2005 e de 2606±2017 ind.10cm-2 no verão/2006. A influência do sistema estuarino de Santos restringiu-se às áreas na saída da baía de Santos e do canal de Bertioga e deu-se através do aporte de sedimentos finos e de matéria orgânica, que foi mais evidente no verão devido à maior pluviosidade. Nessas áreas foram observadas menores densidades e maior abundância de gêneros depositívoros, como Sabatieria e Terschellingia e da família Xyalidae. Nas outras estações rasas com sedimento arenoso, bem selecionado e com biomassa de clorofila-a relativamente alta, as densidades foram as mais altas e predominaram Chromadorita e Microlaimus, herbívoros/comedores de epistrato. Nas estações mais profundas, com sedimento mais finos, a densidade e diversidade foram menores e Sabatieria foi dominante. Portanto, além do sistema estuarino, a profundidade e o hidrodinamismo local, que determinam as condições sedimentares e tróficas, foram fatores importantes para as associações dos Nematoda. / To assess the influence of Santos estuarine system on the nematodes of the adjacent continental shelf, the density, composition and generic diversity of this group were analyzed and related to the sediment type, organic matter content and phytopigments biomass. The sediment was collected at six stations, in the winter of 2005 and summer of 2006, with a box-corer from which meiofauna samples were taken with a 4.9 cm2 superficial area and 10 cm height corer. Nematodes represented more than 95% of the total meiofauna, and their average densities were 2,472±1,794 ind.10cm-2 in the winter/2005 and 2,606±2,017 ind.10cm-2 in the summer/2006. The influence of Santos estuarine system was restricted to the closest areas to Santos bay and Bertioga channel and it was observed through the contribution of fine sediments and organic matter, which was more evident in the summer due to higher rainfall. In these areas, lower nematodes densities were found as higher abundance of deposit feeders genera, like Sabatieria and Terschellingia, and from the Xyalidae family. In the other shallow stations with well sorted sands and relatively high chlorophyll-a biomasses, densities were the highest and Chromadorita and Microlaimus, herbivorous/epistrate feeders, were predominant. In the deepest stations with finer sediments, the densities and diversities were the lowest and Sabatieria was dominant. Therefore, apart from the estuarine system, the depth and local hydrodynamics, which determines the sediment and trophic conditions, were important factors for the nematodes assemblages.

O presente trabalho visa avaliar a mobilidade de sedimentos na plataforma continental do Estado de São Paulo levando em conta a propagação de ondas e o tipo de sedimento. Com base no clima de ondas da região, resultante do modelo global de ondas WAVEWATCH-III, o modelo MIKE-21 (SW) foi aplicado para avaliar os processos de transformação de ondas a medida em que elas avançam sobre a plataforma continental. As ondas predominantes são as de sul com 36% e leste com 34%, variando de 1 a 2,5 metros de altura e 6 a 10 segundos de período. Esses dados formam a condição de contorno externa do modelo que fornece as informações necessárias para as estimativas de mobilidade sedimentar. Este processo foi avaliado através da aplicação de uma aproximação empírica onde a máxima velocidade orbital de fundo deve ser maior que a velocidade crítica de fundo. A altura significativa e período médio chegam a remobilizar areia fina até 40 m, areia muito fina até 45 m e silte até 60 m de profundidade. Altura máxima e período de pico, remobilizam areia fina até 60 m, areia muito fina até 80 m e silte até 90m de profundidade. / This study aims to evaluate the mobility of sediments on continental shelf of São Paulo State considering wave propagation and sediment type. Based on wave climate of the region resulting from global wave model WAVEWATCH-III, numerical model MIKE-21 (SW) was applied to evaluate wave transformation processes as they propagate over the continental shelf. Waves from south and east are predominant with 36% and 34%, respectively, wave height ranged from 1 to 2.5 meters and wave period varied between 6 and 10 seconds. These data form boundary condition of the model and provides necessary information to estimate sediment mobility. In order to evaluate this process, an empirical approach was applied, where maximum bed orbital velocity must exceed a critical bottom velocity. The significant wave height and mean period mobilize fine sand up to 40 m, very fine sand up to 45 m and silt up to 60 meters deep. Maximum height and peak period, mobilize fine sand up to 60 m, very fine sand up to 80 m and silt up to 90 meters deep.

O principal objetivo desse trabalho foi analisar a influência das condições ambientais na higidez das larvas de engraulidídeos da plataforma continental ao largo de Santos (24o49\'S - 23o49\'S e 46o55\'W - 45o24\'W). As coletas foram realizadas em dois cruzeiros oceanográficos (setembro de 2005 e março de 2006). Verificou-se diferença nas condições hidrográficas entre as duas campanhas de coletas, sendo que em setembro de 2005 houve maior influência de descarga de águas estuarinas na plataforma, enquanto em março de 2006 houve intrusão da Água Central do Atlântico Sul. As duas situações geraram estratificação vertical e favoreceram a entrada de nutrientes no sistema, o que gera enriquecimento da zona eufótica e beneficia as cadeias tróficas locais. Para avaliar a condição de higidez das larvas, foram utilizados indicadores morfológicos (relação massa-comprimento, fator de condição, altura do corpo da larva, relação entre altura da cabeça e diâmetro do olho) e bioquímicos (quantidade de proteína e relação proteína/DNA). Os indicadores apontaram melhor condição relativa, para as larvas coletadas em março de 2006, que pode ser conseqüência da ocorrência de uma intensa estratificação vertical na coluna de água e de uma maior estabilidade gravitacional em março de 2006, proporcionando maior concentração de nutrientes e ocasionando aumento na densidade e melhora na condição das populações planctônicas. / The aim of this study was to analyze influence of environmental conditions on health of engraulidid larvae of the continental shelf off Santos (24º49´S - 23º49´S e 46º55´W - 45º24´W). Samples were collected during two oceanographic cruises (September 2005 and March 2006). Differences among hydrographic conditions were verified between surveys: in September there was a major influence of the estuarine water discharge in the inner shelf, whereas in March there was an intrusion of the South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) in the region. The two conditions generated vertical stratification and improved the pelagic food web, in which fish larvae participate. Morphological (weight-length relation, condition factor, larvae body height, head height-eye diameter relation) and biochemical (protein quantity and protein/DNA relation) indicators were used to evaluate the larvae health condition. Results showed better relative condition of larvae collected in March 2006 that can be a consequence of the intense water column vertical stratification and gravitational stability in March 2006, providing higher nutrients concentration, increasing density of organisms and improving condition of planktonic populations.