Blind Pass, a heavily structured wave-dominated tidal inlet on the west central coast of Florida, has undergone substantial morphologic changes in the past 150 years. Initially Blind Pass was a mixed-energy inlet. In 1848 a hurricane opened a new inlet to the north called Johns Pass, which captured a large portion of the tidal prism of Blind Pass. Since then Blind Pass migrated southward until it was structurally stabilized in 1937. The decreasing tidal prism resulted in significant inlet channel filling. The channel has been dredged 12 times since 1937. The present inlet is stabilized by two jetties and a series of seawalls. Detailed time-series field measurements of bathymetry and tidal flows were conducted between 2001 and 2004, after the last channel dredging in the summer of 2000. The measured depositional rate in the inlet channel approximately equals the net southward longshore transport rate. This suggests that the inlet has served as a trap for the southward longshore transport allowing negligible bypassing to the eroding downdrift beach. Most of the active sedimentation occurs on the northern side of the inlet. The sediment in the thalweg is largely coarse shell lag, indicating adequate sediment flushing by the ebbing tide. The cross-channel flow measurements revealed that ebb flow was approximately twice as high in the channel thalweg as compared with the rest of the channel. The flood flow was largely uniform across the entire inlet and dominated over the northern portion of the inlet due to the weak ebb flow there. This cross-channel flow pattern is crucial to the understanding of the sedimentation patterns in the Blind Pass channel. Two years after the last dredging the mouth has become shallow enough to induce wave breaking across the shoal area. Distinctive seasonal patterns of sedimentation were measured thereafter in the inlet channel, influenced by seasonal wave climate. The sedimentation is event driven from passage of cold fronts bringing elevated wave energy that accelerates the southward longshore transport. During normal conditions the sediment deposited in the mouth area is redistributed further into the inlet by the flood current combined with wave-driven current.

The Wax Lake Delta (WLD) is a sandy, modern river delta prograding rapidly into Atchafalaya Bay. This dissertation uses field data to improve the understanding of channel kinematics that dictate river delta geometry and stratigraphy, while providing a framework for coastal restoration efforts. The studies presented here show that the distributary channel network of the WLD is erosional. In the first study, analyses of the feeder channel to the WLD and the channel network within the sub-aerially emergent delta show that the channel bed has incised into the consolidated muds that act as bedrock. The large (>62%) fraction of bedrock exposure found in multi-beam surveys is related to the under-saturation of suspended sand measured during the flood of 2009. The second study concerns the delta front beyond the emergent delta Distributary channels extend 2 – 6 km into the delta front. Four bathymetric surveys of one bifurcating distributary channel – Gadwall Pass – show that the majority of bed aggradation occurs during floods, but the majority of channel extension of each bifurcate channel occurs during low river discharge. In the third study, field measurements of fluid flow during a tidal cycle indicate that tidal augmentation of during periods of low river discharge is responsible for channel extension during low river discharges. Flow direction measured from streaklines present in aerial photomosaics is combined with bathymetric evolution data to quantify spatial velocity changes on the delta front. These data show that flow spreading is insufficient to prevent acceleration at channel margins, providing an explanation for observed erosion. Flow divergence is limited on the delta front by the proximity of neighboring channels, even though they are separated by 10-30 channel widths. The associated convergence of flow in inter-distributary bays occurs along “drainage troughs”. These channel-forms collect flow that has been dispensed from distributary channel network. Finally, ambient currents in Atchafalaya Bay (0.06 – 0.2 m/s) caused by tides and the proximity to the neighboring Atchafalaya Delta appear to alter flow patterns on the delta foreset, and are responsible for channel curvature on the delta front. / text

Orientador: Milene Fornari / Resumo: Os cordões litorâneos da planície costeira da Jureia incluem-se entre os mais bem preservados alinhamentos de cordões do litoral sul do estado de São Paulo, porém, são pouco estudados sob os aspectos sedimentológico e estratigráfico. A meta deste estudo é reconstruir no tempo e espaço os eventos de formação dos alinhamentos de cordões litorâneos e feições associadas, inferindo possíveis controles exercidos pelo nível relativo do mar (NRM), clima e dinâmica sedimentar costeira. Através da análise de fotografias aéreas e imagens de satélite, foram reconhecidos quatro feixes de cordões litorâneos e quatro pontais recurvados. O feixe 1 é formado por cordões curvilíneos, enquanto que os feixes 2, 3 e 4 são constituídos por alinhamentos mais retilíneos e desenvolvem-se sincronicamente à formação de pontais recurvados. Estes, em planta, diferem-se por geometria côncava na forma de cordões recurvados, que mostram inversões cíclicas no padrão de transporte sedimentar por deriva litorânea, ora para NE e ora para SO. Em seção GPR observa-se que internamente, os feixes de cordões são formados por refletores com configuração sigmoide de amplitude alta a moderada, que estendem-se lateralmente por centenas de metros com mergulho suave para o mar. Esses refletores incluem fácies de areia média com estratificação cruzada acanalada sobreposta por fácies de areia média a fina com estratificação plano-paralela. Galerias de Ophiomorpha nodosa atribuídas ao crustáceo Callichirus major ocorrem ao l... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The strandplain in Jureia comprises the best preserved ridges in the southern São Paulo state. However, they have been poorly studied from the sedimentologic and stratigraphic aspect. This study aims to reconstruct the events of ridge alignments development of, in time and space, inferring possible controls related to relative sea level (RSL), climate and coastal sedimentary dynamics. The analysis of aerial photographs and satellite images enabled the identification of four ridge sets and four recurved spits. Ridge set 1 is composed by curved ridges in the inner portion of the coastal plain, while ridge sets 2, 3 and 4 comprise plan-parallel ridges which were developed synchronically to recurved spits. The spits are distinctive for the concave geometry, which shows cyclic inversions in the pattern of sedimentary transport through longitudinal drift currents, alternating the main direction between NE and SO. In GPR sections it can be observed that the ridges are internally formed by sigmoidal reflectors, with high to moderate amplitude, which extend for hundreds of meters with smooth seaward dip. These reflectors comprise sedimentary facies of cross stratified medium sand overlaid by plan-parallel medium and fine sand. Ophiomorpha nodosa burrows, attributed to the arthropod Callichirus major, are present throughout the layers but become rare towards the top. These deposits have been interpreted as shoreface facies association in gradual contact with the foreshore facies associ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Les systèmes turbiditiques forment de grands édifices sédimentaires sous-marins situés au large des fleuves en pied de pente continentale et constituent les dépôts terrigènes les plus distaux d’un système fluviatile. Leur structure interne, définie comme un empilement de systèmes chenal-levées, montre des changements architecturaux au cours du temps dont les forçages sont encore mal connus, et le rôle respectif des facteurs de contrôle interne (lié au fonctionnement propre du système) ou externe (climat, variations du niveau marin, tectonique) reste sujet à débats. Afin de mieux comprendre le rôle de ces facteurs de contrôle, une étude détaillée de l’architecture du système Congo a été réalisée. Cette étude a été menée dans le cadre du projet de recherche Reprezaï (Ifremer/IUEM, depuis 2006), faisant suite aux projets Guiness et ZaïAngo (Ifremer/Total, 1992-2003), projets au cours desquels de nombreuses campagnes en mer ont permis l'acquisition d’une importante base de données géophysiques et géologiques. Une analyse quantitative de différents paramètres architecturaux des chenaux (longueur totale, longueur construite après avulsion, entre autres) de l’Edifice Axial du Congo (derniers 200 ka) révèle des cycles sédimentaires de progradation et rétrogradation des dépôt-centres, les plus grandes rétrogradations correspondant à des avulsions situées très en amont dans l’édifice turbiditique. Les dépôts-centres identifiés à la terminaison des chenaux correspondent à des complexes de lobes (selon la nomenclature de Prélat et al., 2009) relativement allongés dont les volumes (de 3 à 196 km3) varient considérablement dans le temps et l'espace sans pour autant montrer de cycles de variation comme pour les autres paramètres. Le volume cumulé de ces complexes de lobes reconnus représente jusqu'à 31% du volume de l’Edifice Axial. L’étude multiproxies (datations 14C, δ18O, mesures XRF, Carbone Organique Total, …) de carottes prélevées sur les chenaux les plus progradants et les plus rétrogradants, a fourni un cadre chronologique permettant de caler temporellement ces cycles sédimentaires. L’évolution temporelle des paramètres architecturaux a été comparée avec les variations des signaux paléoenvironnementaux et paléoclimatiques (pollens, COT, mesures XRF et MSCL, argiles…) enregistrés par une carotte de référence située en domaine hémipélagique et contemporaine de la construction de l’Edifice Axial. Les résultats mettent en évidence un lien étroit entre l’évolution architecturale de l’édifice turbiditique et les décharges fluviatiles du Congo. Ces dernières, mais aussi l’extension du couvert végétal sur le bassin versant, contrôlent le rapport sable/argile et donc, en partie, la capacité de transport des courants turbiditiques. Ces deux facteurs dépendent des précipitations liées aux variations d’intensité de la mousson en relation avec les cycles de précession (19-23 ka, Milankovitch). Un scénario de mise en place des systèmes chenal-levées et lobes de l’Edifice Axial en fonction des variations climatiques arides/humides sur le bassin versant a ainsi pu être proposé grâce à de bonnes contraintes stratigraphiques pour les derniers 40 ka. En période aride, les courants turbiditiques, peu fréquents et avec un fort rapport sable/argile qui diminue leur capacité de transport, sont propices à l'aggradation des chenaux, engendrant des conditions favorables pour la création ultérieure d’avulsions en amont. En période de transition aride/humide, lorsque le couvert végétal est encore peu développé, la décharge fluviatile accompagnée d’une charge solide importante augmente le volume des courants turbiditiques, favorisant les avulsions en amont du système. Enfin, les périodes humides, caractérisées par un débit liquide fort associé à une charge solide essentiellement argileuse qui décroît au fur et à mesure que le couvert végétal s’étend, génèrent des courants de turbidité dont la capacité de transport diminue au cours du temps […] / Turbidite systems are huge submarine sedimentary fans located off rivers, at the foot of the continental slope. They constitute the most distal terrigeneous deposits of a fluvial system. Their internal structure, defined as a stacking of channel-levee systems, show architectural changes through time. Forcing factors of these architectural changesare still poorly understood, and the respective role of internal (related to the own functioning of the system) or external forcing factors (climate, seal-level variations, tectonics) remains debated. To better understand the role of these controlling factors, a detailed study of the Congo system architecture was carried out. This study was conducted as part of the Reprezaï research project (Ifremer/IUEM, since 2006), following the Guiness and ZaïAngo projects (Ifremer/Total, 1992-2003), during which many oceanographic surveys allowed acquiring an important geophysical and geological data base. A quantitative analysis of different architectural parameters from the channels (e.g. total length, length built after avulsion,…) of the Congo Axial Fan (last 200 ka) reveals progradational-retrogradational sedimentary cycles of the depocenters, the highest retrogradations corresponding to avulsions located very upfan. Depocenters identified at the termination of the channels correspond to relatively elongated lobe complexes (according to the nomenclature of Prélat et al., 2009) with greatly variable volumes (from 3 to 196 km3) both in time and space, without any cyclicity like that identified by other parameters. The cumulative volume of these lobe complexes represents up to 31% of the Axial Fan volume. The multiproxies study (14C dating, δ18O, XRF measurements, Total Organic Carbon…) of cores sampled on the most prograding and retrograding channels provided a chronological framework to these sedimentary cycles. The temporal evolution of the architectural parameters was compared with changes in paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic signals (pollens, TOC, XRF and MSCL measurements, clay mineralogy,…) recorded in the sediments of a reference core deposited simultaneously to the Axial Fan, but located outside the turbidite flows. Results highlight a strong link between the architectural evolution of the turbidite system and the Congo River discharge. These, as well as the expansion of the vegetation cover in the catchment area, control the sand/clay ratio and thus, at least partly, the transport capacity of turbidity currents that build the channel-levee systems. Both factors depend on rainfall related to the monsoon intensity variations in relation with precession (19-23 ka Milankovitch). A scenario for the deposition of channel-levee systems and lobes of the Axial Fan in link with arid/humid climate variations in the catchment area has been proposed thanks to good stratigraphic constraints for the last 40 ka. During arid periods, turbidity currents are infrequent and present a high sand/clay ratio which decreases their transport capacity. These turbidity currents are suitable to channel aggradation, generating favorable conditions for the subsequent creation of upfan avulsion. During periods of transition of arid to humid conditions, when the canopy is still underdeveloped, fluvial discharge and significant sediment load increases result in an increase of the turbidity currents volume, which favors upfan avulsions. Finally, during humid periods, Congo discharge is characterized by a strong liquid flow and a mainly clayey solid discharge which decreases gradually as the canopy extends. These conditions generate turbidity currents with decreasing transport capacity through time. However the transport capacity of these currents remains sufficient to reach distal portions of the systems and favor channels progradation. This climatic factor seems therefore to regularly disrupt the more perennial internal control which is also highlighted by the Congo Axial Fan architecture.

Localizadas no litoral sul de Santa Catarina, as planícies costeiras holocênicas de Campos Verdes e Ji caracterizam-se por séries truncadas de cordões litorâneos alternados a campos de dunas livres. Constituem exemplo de planícies formadas em um mesmo contexto regional, porém sob condições distintas quanto ao caráter hidrodinâmico: área semiprotegida de retrobarreira (Campos Verdes) versus tômbolo de mar aberto (Ji). A meta deste trabalho é construir modelos de evolução sedimentar para estas duas planícies com base em fotointerpretação, granulometria, minerais pesados, idades LOE, cálculo de taxas de progradação e simulação computacional. A comparação visa contribuir para a compreensão dos processos formadores ou remodeladores de planícies de cordões em geral e definir o caráter, se autocíclico ou alocíclico, de cada mecanismo no caso em estudo. O desenvolvimento destas planícies teria começado durante a desaceleração da subida de NRM, pouco antes do nível máximo holocênico, alcançado por volta de 5 ka AP. A partir de padrões de transporte e retrabalhamento sedimentar deduzidos com base em estatísticas da distribuição granulométrica (tamanho médio, seleção, assimetria), combinadas com variação dos índices de minerais pesados (iINS, iMET, iZTR, iTZ, iHT, iRZ), infere-se progradação da planície de Campos Verdes para norte, com componente de crescimento longitudinal para oeste, e da planície do Ji para leste, com componente longitudinal para norte. A distribuição dos minerais pesados deve-se em parte a mudança/aproximação, no decorrer do tempo, da fonte representada pelo delta do Tubarão, com entrada crescente de sedimentos menos maturos no sistema. A evolução da planície de Campos Verdes foi dividida em cinco estágios cronológicos: anterior a 4912±270 anos AP (1); de 4199±347 a 2763±205 anos (2); de 2763±205 a 2816±193 anos (3); de 2816 ± 193 a 1946 ± 141 anos (4); e desde 1946 ± 141 anos até o presente (5); com taxas de progradação de 1,07, 0,35, 3,45, 0,76 m/a e indeterminada, respectivamente. O estágio 4 compreende fase de estabilização de dunas eólicas, com lobo deposicional datado em 2255±123 anos, e o estágio 5 inclui fase de reativação deflacionar, com duna parabólica faminta datada de 711±64 anos. Para a planície do Ji, definiram-se cinco estágios cronológicos: anterior a 2794±151 anos (1); de 2794±151 a 2537±140 anos (2); de 2537±140 a 1031±35 (3); de 1031±35 a 831±43 anos (4); e desde 751±43 anos até o presente (5). As taxas de progradação calculadas para os últimos quatro estágios foram de 2,26, 0,28, 1,47 e 1,24 m/a, respectivamente. A fase de estabilização de dunas da geração eólica 3, datada em 1346±73 anos, aconteceu durante o estágio 3. Campos de dunas transgressivos ainda ativos iniciaram seu desenvolvimento durante o estágio 5. O crescimento das duas planícies ocorreu em anti-fase, com alternância entre duas situações: a situação 1 caracteriza-se por predominância de deriva litorânea rumo NE, relacionada a incursões mais freqüentes de frentes frias e massa de ar polar na região; a situação 2 corresponde a dominância de deriva litorânea rumo SW, sob maior ação da massa tropical Atlântica e menor freqüência de incursões de frentes frias. Um boom na progradação de ambas as planícies, registrado por volta de 2700 anos AP, pode estar relacionado à ocorrência de um dos eventos climáticos de escala milenar do Holoceno, o evento Bond 2, caracterizado na região por aumento pontuado de umidade e precipitação e, por extensão, de aporte fluvial. O desenvolvimento ou reativação de dunas do estágio 5 em Campos Verdes pode estar ligado à intensificação dos ventos durante outro evento de escala milenar, a Pequena Idade do Gelo. Fluxos da ordem de 104 m3/ano foram obtidos em simulação estocástica de um cenário geral de trocas de sedimentos entre compartimentos (eg. praia e campo de dunas) no Ji. Na simulação condicionada por variáveis climáticas, observa-se que o transporte eólico, com desenvolvimento de campos de dunas, pode ocorrer mesmo durante períodos chuvosos (precipitação média superior a 400mm), desde que os fluxos eólicos sejam dez vezes maiores que os obtidos na simulação do cenário geral. / The Holocene strandplains of Campos Verdes and Ji (south coast of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil) are characterized by truncated sets of beach ridges alternated with eolian dune fields. They represent examples of neighbor coastal plains formed under the same regional context, but under different hydrodynamic contexts: in a sheltered back-barrier embayment (Campos Verdes) and in an open sea tombolo (Ji). The aim of this work is to construct evolutionary models of sedimentation for both plains based in photointerpretation, grain-size, heavy minerals, OSL ages, calculation of progradation rates and computer simulation. The comparative analysis allows the explanation of the origin of processes responsible for the development of the plains defining whether the mechanisms are autocyclic or alocyclic. Both plains would have begun during the deceleration of the RSL rise, just before the achievement of the Holocene highstand, approximately at 5 ky BP. Patterns of transport and sedimentary reworking based on statistics of grain-size distribution (mean grain-size, standard deviation and skewness) combined with variation of heavy minerals indices (INSi, METi, ZTRi, TZi, HTi, RZi) show northwards progradation with a longitudinal growth component towards west for Campos Verde and progradation towards east with an alongshore growth component towards north for Ji. The heavy mineral distribution is mainly linked to the shift and approximation of the main fluvial source area (Tubarão delta) with an input of less mature sediments into the system. The evolution of Campos Verdes was divided into five chronologic stages: before 4912±270 yr (1); from 4199±347 to 2763±205 anos (2); from 2763±205 to 2816±193 anos (3); from 2816 ± 193 to 1946 ± 141 anos (4); and from 1946 ± 141 anos until present (5); with progradation rates of 1.07, 0.35, 3.45, 0.76 m/yr and undetermined, respectively. A phase of dune stabilization happened during stage 4, indicated by a depositional lobe dated in 2255±123yr and another phase of dune reactivation occurred during stage 5, indicated by a starved parabolic dune dated in 711±64 yr. Five chronologic stages were defined for Ji: before 2794 ± 151 yr (1); from 2794 ± 151 to 2537 ± 140 yr (2); from 2537 ± 140 to 1031±35 (3); from 1031 ± 35 to 831 ± 43 yr (4); and from 751 ± 43 yr until present (5). The progradation rates determined for the last four stages are 2.26, 0.28, 1.47 and 1.24 m/yr. A phase of stabilization of eolian generation 3 was dated in 1346±73yr, within the stage 3. Eolian trangressive dune fields, that are still active, began its development during stage 5. The progradation rates (growth) of the plains show an anti-phase pattern linked to the alternation between two situations: one where there is predominance of net longshore drift towards NE, with frequent cold front incursions and more intense action of polar air mass; and another with the predominance of net longshore drift towards SW with more active tropical Atlantic air mass and less frequent cold front incursions. There was a progradational boom ca. 2700 yr with higher progradation rates in both plains, which might be linked to the occurrence of a millennial Holocene climate change, the Bond event 2, responsible for the punctual humidity and precipitation increase. Dune development or reactivation during stage 5 in Campos Verdes might be linked to an occurrence of another millennial Holocene climate event, the Little Ice Age. Eolian fluxes with magnitude of 104 m3/yr were obtained using stochastic simulation of a general scenario of sediment exchange between stocks (eg. beach and dune field) for Ji. In simulation conditioned by climatic variables, it is possible to observe that the development of dune fields can occur during rainy periods (mean precipitation above 400m) as long as the eolian fluxes are ten times greater than that ones obtained in the general scenario.

Localizadas no litoral sul de Santa Catarina, as planícies costeiras holocênicas de Campos Verdes e Ji caracterizam-se por séries truncadas de cordões litorâneos alternados a campos de dunas livres. Constituem exemplo de planícies formadas em um mesmo contexto regional, porém sob condições distintas quanto ao caráter hidrodinâmico: área semiprotegida de retrobarreira (Campos Verdes) versus tômbolo de mar aberto (Ji). A meta deste trabalho é construir modelos de evolução sedimentar para estas duas planícies com base em fotointerpretação, granulometria, minerais pesados, idades LOE, cálculo de taxas de progradação e simulação computacional. A comparação visa contribuir para a compreensão dos processos formadores ou remodeladores de planícies de cordões em geral e definir o caráter, se autocíclico ou alocíclico, de cada mecanismo no caso em estudo. O desenvolvimento destas planícies teria começado durante a desaceleração da subida de NRM, pouco antes do nível máximo holocênico, alcançado por volta de 5 ka AP. A partir de padrões de transporte e retrabalhamento sedimentar deduzidos com base em estatísticas da distribuição granulométrica (tamanho médio, seleção, assimetria), combinadas com variação dos índices de minerais pesados (iINS, iMET, iZTR, iTZ, iHT, iRZ), infere-se progradação da planície de Campos Verdes para norte, com componente de crescimento longitudinal para oeste, e da planície do Ji para leste, com componente longitudinal para norte. A distribuição dos minerais pesados deve-se em parte a mudança/aproximação, no decorrer do tempo, da fonte representada pelo delta do Tubarão, com entrada crescente de sedimentos menos maturos no sistema. A evolução da planície de Campos Verdes foi dividida em cinco estágios cronológicos: anterior a 4912±270 anos AP (1); de 4199±347 a 2763±205 anos (2); de 2763±205 a 2816±193 anos (3); de 2816 ± 193 a 1946 ± 141 anos (4); e desde 1946 ± 141 anos até o presente (5); com taxas de progradação de 1,07, 0,35, 3,45, 0,76 m/a e indeterminada, respectivamente. O estágio 4 compreende fase de estabilização de dunas eólicas, com lobo deposicional datado em 2255±123 anos, e o estágio 5 inclui fase de reativação deflacionar, com duna parabólica faminta datada de 711±64 anos. Para a planície do Ji, definiram-se cinco estágios cronológicos: anterior a 2794±151 anos (1); de 2794±151 a 2537±140 anos (2); de 2537±140 a 1031±35 (3); de 1031±35 a 831±43 anos (4); e desde 751±43 anos até o presente (5). As taxas de progradação calculadas para os últimos quatro estágios foram de 2,26, 0,28, 1,47 e 1,24 m/a, respectivamente. A fase de estabilização de dunas da geração eólica 3, datada em 1346±73 anos, aconteceu durante o estágio 3. Campos de dunas transgressivos ainda ativos iniciaram seu desenvolvimento durante o estágio 5. O crescimento das duas planícies ocorreu em anti-fase, com alternância entre duas situações: a situação 1 caracteriza-se por predominância de deriva litorânea rumo NE, relacionada a incursões mais freqüentes de frentes frias e massa de ar polar na região; a situação 2 corresponde a dominância de deriva litorânea rumo SW, sob maior ação da massa tropical Atlântica e menor freqüência de incursões de frentes frias. Um boom na progradação de ambas as planícies, registrado por volta de 2700 anos AP, pode estar relacionado à ocorrência de um dos eventos climáticos de escala milenar do Holoceno, o evento Bond 2, caracterizado na região por aumento pontuado de umidade e precipitação e, por extensão, de aporte fluvial. O desenvolvimento ou reativação de dunas do estágio 5 em Campos Verdes pode estar ligado à intensificação dos ventos durante outro evento de escala milenar, a Pequena Idade do Gelo. Fluxos da ordem de 104 m3/ano foram obtidos em simulação estocástica de um cenário geral de trocas de sedimentos entre compartimentos (eg. praia e campo de dunas) no Ji. Na simulação condicionada por variáveis climáticas, observa-se que o transporte eólico, com desenvolvimento de campos de dunas, pode ocorrer mesmo durante períodos chuvosos (precipitação média superior a 400mm), desde que os fluxos eólicos sejam dez vezes maiores que os obtidos na simulação do cenário geral. / The Holocene strandplains of Campos Verdes and Ji (south coast of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil) are characterized by truncated sets of beach ridges alternated with eolian dune fields. They represent examples of neighbor coastal plains formed under the same regional context, but under different hydrodynamic contexts: in a sheltered back-barrier embayment (Campos Verdes) and in an open sea tombolo (Ji). The aim of this work is to construct evolutionary models of sedimentation for both plains based in photointerpretation, grain-size, heavy minerals, OSL ages, calculation of progradation rates and computer simulation. The comparative analysis allows the explanation of the origin of processes responsible for the development of the plains defining whether the mechanisms are autocyclic or alocyclic. Both plains would have begun during the deceleration of the RSL rise, just before the achievement of the Holocene highstand, approximately at 5 ky BP. Patterns of transport and sedimentary reworking based on statistics of grain-size distribution (mean grain-size, standard deviation and skewness) combined with variation of heavy minerals indices (INSi, METi, ZTRi, TZi, HTi, RZi) show northwards progradation with a longitudinal growth component towards west for Campos Verde and progradation towards east with an alongshore growth component towards north for Ji. The heavy mineral distribution is mainly linked to the shift and approximation of the main fluvial source area (Tubarão delta) with an input of less mature sediments into the system. The evolution of Campos Verdes was divided into five chronologic stages: before 4912±270 yr (1); from 4199±347 to 2763±205 anos (2); from 2763±205 to 2816±193 anos (3); from 2816 ± 193 to 1946 ± 141 anos (4); and from 1946 ± 141 anos until present (5); with progradation rates of 1.07, 0.35, 3.45, 0.76 m/yr and undetermined, respectively. A phase of dune stabilization happened during stage 4, indicated by a depositional lobe dated in 2255±123yr and another phase of dune reactivation occurred during stage 5, indicated by a starved parabolic dune dated in 711±64 yr. Five chronologic stages were defined for Ji: before 2794 ± 151 yr (1); from 2794 ± 151 to 2537 ± 140 yr (2); from 2537 ± 140 to 1031±35 (3); from 1031 ± 35 to 831 ± 43 yr (4); and from 751 ± 43 yr until present (5). The progradation rates determined for the last four stages are 2.26, 0.28, 1.47 and 1.24 m/yr. A phase of stabilization of eolian generation 3 was dated in 1346±73yr, within the stage 3. Eolian trangressive dune fields, that are still active, began its development during stage 5. The progradation rates (growth) of the plains show an anti-phase pattern linked to the alternation between two situations: one where there is predominance of net longshore drift towards NE, with frequent cold front incursions and more intense action of polar air mass; and another with the predominance of net longshore drift towards SW with more active tropical Atlantic air mass and less frequent cold front incursions. There was a progradational boom ca. 2700 yr with higher progradation rates in both plains, which might be linked to the occurrence of a millennial Holocene climate change, the Bond event 2, responsible for the punctual humidity and precipitation increase. Dune development or reactivation during stage 5 in Campos Verdes might be linked to an occurrence of another millennial Holocene climate event, the Little Ice Age. Eolian fluxes with magnitude of 104 m3/yr were obtained using stochastic simulation of a general scenario of sediment exchange between stocks (eg. beach and dune field) for Ji. In simulation conditioned by climatic variables, it is possible to observe that the development of dune fields can occur during rainy periods (mean precipitation above 400m) as long as the eolian fluxes are ten times greater than that ones obtained in the general scenario.

La découverte récente (2013) d'émissions de méthane microbien en rebord du plateau Aquitain (entre 140 et 220 m de profondeur d'eau) sur une bande s'étendant le long de 80 km du nord au sud entre le Cap Ferret et le Capbreton suscite des interrogations sur les modalités de mise en place et d'évolution spatio-temporelle du système fluide associé. Les indices fluides liés à ce système microbien, tels que les carbonates authigènes et les niveaux chargés en gaz, sont localisés dans la zone externe du plateau et s'étendent jusqu'à la partie haute de la pente continentale. Au regard de la géométrie des horizons régionaux, des indices géochimiques et des voies potentielles de migration du gaz, la source de la matière organique pour la génération de ce méthane microbien serait située dans les derniers clinoformes du Pléistocène supérieur, et permettrait la précipitation des carbonates sur une largeur dépendante de l'épaisseur de ces clinoformes. A l'est de ce système, donc plus proche du continent, la présence d'indices potentiels enfouis (carbonates authigènes ou gaz) permet de penser que d'autres systèmes fluide se sont développés au cours de la progradation de la marge Sud Aquitaine, et ce, possiblement depuis le Pliocène. Le développement du système fluide est ainsi étroitement lié à l'évolution de la marge Sud Aquitaine et dépend des flux sédimentaires qui régissent les apports de matière organique dans les unités progradantes. Le caractère unique de ce système microbien dans le Golfe de Gascogne et sa restriction à la marge Sud Aquitaine s'expliquerait essentiellement par le contrôle des apports sédimentaires continentaux. / The recent discovery (2013) of microbial methane emissions along the Aquitaine continental Shelf edge, south west of France (from 140 to 220 m of water depth), extending along 80 km N-S and 8 km E-W, questions about the initiation and temporal evolution of this fluid system. Several fluid evidences related to the microbial system at the edge of the Aquitaine Shelf, such as authigenic carbonates and gas-charged layers extend from the external shelf until the upper part of the continental slope. Based on regional horizon geometry, geochemical evidences and potential migration pathways, the organic source matter for microbial methane is most likely located within the last upper Pleistocene clinoforms of the South Aquitaine margin. Occurrence of potential buried fluid evidence at the east of the fluid system is interpreted as potential evidence for initiation of this fluid system during the Pliocene age. The fluid system initiation and its evolution would be strongly related to the evolution/progradation of the South Aquitaine Margin and thus to the sedimentary regime controlling sediment and organic matter supplies to the shelf and upper continental slope. This relation explains the fact that such fluid system is unique in the Bay of Biscay and is restricted to the South Aquitaine Margin.

<p>The main purpose of this study was to identify and characterize the various sand prone depositional facies in the deepwater Southern Outeniqua Basin which generally tend to form during&nbsp / lowstand (marine regression) conditions producing progradational facies. It made use of sequence stratigraphy and turbidite facies models to predict the probable location of deepwater&nbsp / reservoirs in the undrilled Southern Outeniqua Basin using data from basin margin Pletmos Basin and the deepwater Southern Outeniqua Basin. Basin margin depositional packages were&nbsp / correlated in time and space with deepwater packages. It was an attempt at bridging the gap between process-related studies of sedimentary rocks and the more traditional economic geology&nbsp / f commercial deposits of petroleum using prevailing state-of-the-art in basin analysis. It enabled the most realistic reconstructions of genetic stratigraphy and offered the greatest&nbsp / application in exploration. Sequence stratigraphic analysis and interpretation of seismics, well logs, cores and biostratigraphic data was carried out providing a chronostratigraphic framework of the study area within which seismic facies analysis done. Nine (9) seismic lines that span the shallow/basin margin Pletmos basin into the undrilled deepwater Southern Outeniqua basin were analysed and interpreted and the relevant seismic geometries were captured. Four (4) turbidite depositional elements were identified from the seismic lines: channel, overbank deposits,&nbsp / haotic deposits and basin plain (basin floor fan) deposits. These were identified from the relevant seismic geometries (geometric attributes) observed on the 2D seismic lines. Thinning attributes, unconformity attributes and seismic facies attributes were observed from the seismic lines. This was preceded by basic structural analyses and interpretation of the&nbsp / seismic lines. according to the structural analysis and interpretation, deposition trended NW-SE and NNW-SSE as we go deepwater into the Southern Outeniqua basin. Well logs from six (6)&nbsp / of the interpreted wells indicated depositional channel fill as well as basin floor fans. This was identified in well Ga-V1 and Ga-S1 respectively. A bell and crescent shape gamma ray log&nbsp / signature was observed in well Ga-V1 indicating a fining up sequence as the channel was abandoned while an isolated massive mound-shape gamma ray log signature was observed in&nbsp / Ga-S1 indicating basin plain well-sorted sands. Core analyses and interpretation from two southern-most wells revealed three (3) facies which were derived based on Walker&lsquo / s 1978, turbidite&nbsp / facies. The observed facies were: sandstone, sand/shale and shale facies. Sequence stratigraphic characterisation of petroleum reservoirs in block 11b/12b of the Southern Outeniqua&nbsp / Basin. Cores of well Ga-V1 displayed fine-grained alternations of thin sandstone beds and shales belonging to the thin-bedded turbidite facies. This is typical of levees of the upper fan channel but&nbsp / could easily be confused with similar facies on the basin plain. According to Walker, 1978 such facies form under conditions of active fan progradation. Ga-S1 cores displayed not only classic&nbsp / turbidite facies where there was alternating sand and shale sections but showed thick uninterrupted sections of clean sands. This is typical of basin plain deposits. Only one well had&nbsp / biostratigraphic data though being very limited in content. This data revealed particular depth sections and stratigraphic sections as having medium to fast depositional rates. Such rates are&nbsp / characteristic of turbidite deposition from turbidity currents. This study as well as a complementary study by Carvajal et al., 2009 revealed that the Southern Outeniqua basin is a sand-prone&nbsp / basin with many progradational sequences in which tectonics and sediment supply rate have been significant factors (amongst others such as sea level change) in the formation of these&nbsp / deepwater sequences. In conclusion, the Southern Outeniqua basin was hereby seen as having a viable and unexplored petroleum system existing in this sand prone untested world class.</p>

<p>The main purpose of this study was to identify and characterize the various sand prone depositional facies in the deepwater Southern Outeniqua Basin which generally tend to form during&nbsp / lowstand (marine regression) conditions producing progradational facies. It made use of sequence stratigraphy and turbidite facies models to predict the probable location of deepwater&nbsp / reservoirs in the undrilled Southern Outeniqua Basin using data from basin margin Pletmos Basin and the deepwater Southern Outeniqua Basin. Basin margin depositional packages were&nbsp / correlated in time and space with deepwater packages. It was an attempt at bridging the gap between process-related studies of sedimentary rocks and the more traditional economic geology&nbsp / f commercial deposits of petroleum using prevailing state-of-the-art in basin analysis. It enabled the most realistic reconstructions of genetic stratigraphy and offered the greatest&nbsp / application in exploration. Sequence stratigraphic analysis and interpretation of seismics, well logs, cores and biostratigraphic data was carried out providing a chronostratigraphic framework of the study area within which seismic facies analysis done. Nine (9) seismic lines that span the shallow/basin margin Pletmos basin into the undrilled deepwater Southern Outeniqua basin were analysed and interpreted and the relevant seismic geometries were captured. Four (4) turbidite depositional elements were identified from the seismic lines: channel, overbank deposits,&nbsp / haotic deposits and basin plain (basin floor fan) deposits. These were identified from the relevant seismic geometries (geometric attributes) observed on the 2D seismic lines. Thinning attributes, unconformity attributes and seismic facies attributes were observed from the seismic lines. This was preceded by basic structural analyses and interpretation of the&nbsp / seismic lines. according to the structural analysis and interpretation, deposition trended NW-SE and NNW-SSE as we go deepwater into the Southern Outeniqua basin. Well logs from six (6)&nbsp / of the interpreted wells indicated depositional channel fill as well as basin floor fans. This was identified in well Ga-V1 and Ga-S1 respectively. A bell and crescent shape gamma ray log&nbsp / signature was observed in well Ga-V1 indicating a fining up sequence as the channel was abandoned while an isolated massive mound-shape gamma ray log signature was observed in&nbsp / Ga-S1 indicating basin plain well-sorted sands. Core analyses and interpretation from two southern-most wells revealed three (3) facies which were derived based on Walker&lsquo / s 1978, turbidite&nbsp / facies. The observed facies were: sandstone, sand/shale and shale facies. Sequence stratigraphic characterisation of petroleum reservoirs in block 11b/12b of the Southern Outeniqua&nbsp / Basin. Cores of well Ga-V1 displayed fine-grained alternations of thin sandstone beds and shales belonging to the thin-bedded turbidite facies. This is typical of levees of the upper fan channel but&nbsp / could easily be confused with similar facies on the basin plain. According to Walker, 1978 such facies form under conditions of active fan progradation. Ga-S1 cores displayed not only classic&nbsp / turbidite facies where there was alternating sand and shale sections but showed thick uninterrupted sections of clean sands. This is typical of basin plain deposits. Only one well had&nbsp / biostratigraphic data though being very limited in content. This data revealed particular depth sections and stratigraphic sections as having medium to fast depositional rates. Such rates are&nbsp / characteristic of turbidite deposition from turbidity currents. This study as well as a complementary study by Carvajal et al., 2009 revealed that the Southern Outeniqua basin is a sand-prone&nbsp / basin with many progradational sequences in which tectonics and sediment supply rate have been significant factors (amongst others such as sea level change) in the formation of these&nbsp / deepwater sequences. In conclusion, the Southern Outeniqua basin was hereby seen as having a viable and unexplored petroleum system existing in this sand prone untested world class.</p>