Análise sedimentológica das nascentes Minador e Pau Ferro do município de Olho d’Água do Casado, Alagoas

Abstract

Studies focused on granulometric and morphoscopic analysis of spring sediments are essential and relevant for understanding environmental, sedimentological, and hydrological processes. The objective of this study was to conduct a survey of sedimentological data to contribute to the knowledge and maintenance of the environmental conditions of the springs in the municipality of Olho D'Água do Casado, a semi-arid region in Alagoas. In 2018, two in-situ sediment samples were collected: the first one located in the urban area of the municipality, Fonte Minador (NU), and the second one located in the Gastone Beltrão settlement, a rural area of the municipality, known as the Pau-ferro spring (NR). The Sysgran 3.0 software was used for sediment classification and statistics. The results showed that both springs had the highest granulometric representation in the sand fraction, likely associated with the erosion of arenaceous rocks in the vicinity of these springs. The distribution in both springs indicates a predominance of sub-angular grains, demonstrating that the material had not had time to be modified during water transport to its deposition site. Sphericity is of low maturity and is associated with the surface texture of the grains, which are mostly matte, a result of transport by the wind. It is pertinent to assert that the granulometric and morphoscopic characterization data obtained have relevance and contributions to the understanding of environmental dynamic actions, sediment transport, and deposition in the springs, essential for their conservation and maintenance, as well as providing support for future research.