Kátia Leite Mansur

Water quality and its spatial relation with sources of natural and human contamination: São Domingos river basin, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

The purpose of this article is the evaluation of Sao Domingos River Basin (SDRB) water quality and tentative correlations with natural and anthropic polluting sources. In order to achieve it, physicochemical parameters were analyzed in 65 surface and groundwater sampling points, in accordance to standards established by the Brazilian Environmental Authority, CONAMA 357/05, Class 2, for surface water and CONAMA 396/08, Class human, consumption for groundwater. The analyzed parameters include major cations and anions, temperature, pH, electric conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), thermotolerant coliforms, organochlorides and organophosphorus compounds. Parameters with concentrations more frequently in unconformity with regulations are: aluminum, boron, iron, manganese, nitrates, DO, BOD and some organochlorides and organophosphorus compounds. Results show that distribution of contamination is strongly influenced by the human presence, such as rural and urban population and tomato culture. Natural aspects also play a major role, since availability of aluminum, iron, and manganese in near-surface waters in tropical environment depends on input from processes taking place in leaf litter and topsoil.

Characterization and Valuation of the Geological Heritage Identified in the Peró Dune Field, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Peró dune field is one of the largest in southeastern Brazil. Besides possessing Quaternary eolic records relating to the semiarid climate of the region, it also contains archaeological sites and functions as a haven for endemic animal and plant species, some of which are endangered. The dune field is of hydrogeological and pedological importance, not to mention being a site of undeniable natural beauty. The area has been targeted by the real estate industry and could disappear due to international tourism-based projects. The aim of the study reported here is to demonstrate the relevance of this site as a geological and geomorphological heritage site according to international methodologies used for such evaluations and through a comparison of the results obtained here with those in the inventory of the other geosites contained in the Cabo Frio Tectonic Domain. The results show that the area is relevant in four key areas, namely, science, culture, education and tourism. They also highlight the frailty of this geodiversity unity, which was constructed through the actions of the wind and which has an important ecological function as a biodiversity substrate and aquifer. The ultimate goal of the study is to use these results as arguments for the preservation of the area.

Community Perceptions for Geoconservation of a Coastal Area in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

We collected socio-environmental data from the inhabitants of a coastal area in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in order to investigate the local knowledge about environmental, economic and cultural particularities of the area and the main human activities that impact the environment. Community perceptions from 11 localities in the Região dos Lagos were evaluated. The data analysis can help in the development of specific geoconservation activities for the study area, which is located in the aspirant Geopark ‘Costões e Lagunas do Rio de Janeiro’. This initiative of considering community perceptions can help to maintain and protect local geological sites, raise public awareness of environmental matters and help to manage the development of the new Geopark. Furthermore, it can also contribute to the sustainable development of the area and to the planning of effective policies to sustain progress. Taking into consideration the answers and needs of the interviewed communities, the key topics requiring geoconservation activities in the study area are land use planning and biodiversity, urban mobility, continuous monitoring strategy, environmental awareness, wastewater, urbanisation, geotourism, sense of place, waste and economical activities.

Targeting Sustainability Issues at Geosites: a Study in Região dos Lagos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The aim of this study is to assess sustainability issues for a number of geosites in a study area of Região dos Lagos in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The area within the proposed Geopark ‘Costões e Lagunas do Rio de Janeiro’ is well-known for its natural environment with unusual cliffs and hypersaline lagoons, some of them containing stromatolites. We have evaluated the changes in land use and land cover in this coastal area of Brazil over the last four decades and their relation to anthropogenic activities in the area. Land use change statistics indicate that the urban areas have increased to the detriment of the natural vegetation and salt pans. Local knowledge of sustainability issues were considered in order to identify the main threats to and protection needs of the geosites. The sustainability issues comprise environmental awareness, land-use planning and biodiversity protection. The geosite identified with the best sustainability is São Mateus Fort. The geosites found to be the most threatened are Brejo do Espinho, Peró Dunes, Lagoa Vermelha and Mangue de Pedra. Educational projects have been implemented in urban and rural areas of Região dos Lagos to teach the local population the importance of geosites and sustainable development.

Contributions to a Brazilian Code of Conduct for Fieldwork in Geology: an approach based on Geoconservation and Geoethics

When considering the numerous events that have prohibited the development of scientific projects or caused destruction of outcrops, it is clear that there is rapidly increasing necessity to define a Brazilian Code of Conduct for geological fieldwork. In general, this destruction is attributed to lack of knowledge as to the relevance of geological sites. The aim of this Code of Conduct is to guide geologists to adopt good practices during geoscience activities. Proposed guidelines are based on Codes of Conduct from other countries, mainly Scotland and England, on situations described in papers and on the personal experience of the authors. In this paper 29 points are suggested, in order to guarantee that fieldwork is conducted in accordance with geoethics, geoconservation and sustainability values. The proposal is structured in three parts: (1) Behavior and practices in respect to local traditions and providing information to the population; (2) Measures to minimize degradation on outcrops; and (3) Safety. The proposal seeks to broaden the debate on the need for responsible behavior during fieldwork, in order to promote respect for geodiversity. Through this code, Brazilian geoscientists will be able to contribute to the conservation of geological heritage and of outcrops with special educational relevance.

Calcretes pedogenéticos da Bacia de Itaboraí, Estado do Rio de Janeiro

The Itaborai Basin, located in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, is considered the first segment from the Southeastern Brazil Continental Rift opened, during the Paleocene. The occurrence of calcretes was previously reported in the literature, although studies dealing specifically with such calcretes and their distribution were not performed. Furthermore, there is limited research involving the petrographic characterization of the sedimentary deposits of the basin. This study developed a characterization on both macro and micro scale of the vadose calcretes that occur along the northern and western margins of the basin and constitute its initial infilling. The compositional, textural and fabric features of 27 thin sections prepared from calcrete samples were described and interpreted. The pedogenetic calcretes were separated in different facies (chalky, nodular, massive, platy, incipient laminar and brecciated), and classified according to morphogenetic stages. The main microscopic features include nodules, contraction cracks, vadose pisoliths, rhizocretions, infiltrated clays, corroded grains, expanded micas and clay aggregates. The pedogenetic calcretes were developed on weathered alluvial deposits during tectonic stability periods. They are typically generated on continental environments under arid to semiarid climates and occur intercalated with travertines (carbonate crusts of hydrothermal origin), which deposition is favored by fault activity during humid climate periods. The results indicate both pedogenetic and hydrothermal processes have been extremely active and have played important role during the early evolution of Itaborai Basin. Thus, the characterization of such processes is essential to the understanding of the initial evolution of Southeastern Brazil Continental Rift.

Towards Sustainability and Protection of Threatened Coastal Ecosystems: Management Strategies for a Rare Stone Mangrove in Gorda Beach, Armação dos Búzios, Brazil

Brazil ranks third in total mangrove area around the world, following Indonesia and Australia. Most Brazilian mangroves are poorly studied regarding hydrologic equilibrium mechanisms. Along Mangue de Pedra of Gorda beach, in Armacao dos Buzios, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, there is a rare mangrove, which has thrived over a rocky substratum. Of particular interest is the socioenvironmental and historical background of this mangrove amid potential and emerging land use conflicts. A combination of distinct rock units bound together by a geological fault in a semiarid microclimate led to a unique setting in which fresh groundwater from hanging sedimentary rock cliffs mix with seawater creating an unusual small mangrove before a sandy beach. This attractive landscape led to intense property speculation. Sustainable land use by ‘quilombolas’, descendants of ancient black slaves is being threatened by that speculation, leading to conflicts. Considering the factors and aspects reported above, Mangue de Pedra has high environmental, historical-cultural and scientific relevance and, consequently, should be preserved. Public management measures, however, have not being effective to protect it, leading to a gradual loss of local bio and geodiversity. Solution for this issue includes a set of measures such as creation of a comprehensive environmental protection unit, education and environmental awareness, dissemination of knowledge about the importance of the Mangue, social control and mobilization of the population, based on participation in the decision-making forums, the paradigm shift for UC administration, among others.

Geodiversity Mapping and Relationship with Vegetation: A Regional-Scale Application in SE Brazil

The natural variability of geological, geomorphological, pedological, and hydrological elements can be described and assessed in terms of geodiversity. This geodiversity is intrinsically linked to biodiversity, since the physical environment provides the conditions in which biological elements develop. The use of geodiversity as a tool for environmental studies is of growing importance, describing and highlighting the importance of the physical environment and strengthening the idea of holistic approach of the nature. This work consisted of a qualitative mapping of the geodiversity in Armação dos Búzios municipality, in Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil. Based on integration of the physical environment elements, geodiversity units were defined, in which the geological substrate, relief forms, and soil types are similar. The hydrological influence was also taken into account in specific units. Subsequently, each geodiversity unit was analyzed in terms of its regional type of vegetation, in order to investigate the correlation between spatial distributions of the physical and biological environments. As a result, a Geodiversity Map of Armação dos Búzios was created, describing the physical environment of the area. The inclusion of data on vegetation types showed direct correspondence of the Geodiversity Map and the biological environment, since each geodiversity unit is occupied by specific vegetation types. This result shows that the use of geodiversity as a tool to understand vegetation distribution patterns is valid and should be explored further within the contexts of land management and nature conservation. It is expected that this product becomes a tool for territorial management and an incentive for the development of furthermore research focused on holistic approaches to nature.