As Unidades de Paisagem no município de Areado, sul de Minas Gerais: uma proposta de estudo ambiental integrado a partir da concepção geossistêmica

A paisagem se apresenta como uma unidade de investigação de significativa importância no que tange aos estudos ambientais. Dessa forma, o agrupamento de suas variáveis em unidades pode avultar como estratégia metodológica para compreensão das estruturas e dinâmicas espaciais, e nesse sentido a concepção geossistêmica, aqui trabalhada segundo os pressupostos russo-soviéticos, fornece o aporte teórico-metodológico adequado. Desse modo, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo interpretar, classificar, cartografar e discutir os aspectos estruturais da paisagem no município de Areado (sul de Minas Gerais) a partir da abordagem geossistêmica. Para tal, foi necessário por intermédio do Sistema de Informações Geográficas (SIG) reunir um banco de dados com variáveis chave e complementares, que se referem às seguintes variáveis: solo, geologia, unidades geomorfológicas, uso e cobertura da terra. Tais variáveis foram individualizadas em grupos de fácies segundo a proposta de hierarquização dos geossistemas de Sochava (1977,1978). Dessa forma, obteve-se 14 tipologias geossistêmicas que representam em grande parte a estrutura da paisagem, reunidos em duas classes de fácies, que retratam as principais organizações geomorfológicas regionais definidas pelas superfícies altimontanas e intermontanas. Os resultados obtidos podem subsidiar diretamente programas de planejamento territorial e governança do patrimônio ambiental, garantindo a manutenção dos serviços ambientais existentes e orientando da forma mais parcimoniosa possível os usos econômicos do espaço. The Landscape Units in the municipality of Areado, south of Minas Gerais: a proposal for an integrated environmental study from the geosystemic conception A B S T R A C TThe landscape presentes itself as an investigation unity of significant importance with regard to environmental studies. Thus, the grouping of its variables into units can enlarge as a methodological strategy towards the comprehension of the spacial structures and dynamics, and in this sense the geosystemic conception, considereded here according to the Russian-Soviet assumptions, provides the appropriate theoretical and methodological support. Thereby, this present research aims to interpret, classify, map, discuss the structural aspects of the landscape in the municipality of Areado (south of Minas Gerais) from the geosystemic approach. For that purpose, it was necessary through the Geographic Information System (GIS) to gather a database with key and complementary variables, which refer to the following variables: soil, geology, geomorphological units, land use cover. Such variables were individualized in groups of facies according to the geosystems hierarchization proposal of Sochava (1977, 1978). Thus, fourteen geosystemic typologies were obtained, which largely represent the landscape structure, gathered in two classes of facies, that retract the main regional geomorphological organizations defined by the altimontana and intermontana surfaces. The obtained results may directly subsidize programs of territorial planning and governance of environmental heritage, ensuring the maintenance of existing environmental services and guiding in the most parsimonious way possible the economic uses of space.Key words: landscape, geosystem, environmental analysis, management, planning.

Using Geochemical Fingerprints for Assessing Sediment Source Apportionment in an Agricultural Catchment in Central Argentina

In the hilly semi-arid region of central Argentina, where the agricultural frontier expands at the expense of natural ecosystems, soil erosion is one of the most alarming environmental problems. Thus, obtaining knowledge about the dynamics of erosive processes and identifying erosion hotspots constitutes a primary scientific objective. This investigation is focused on estimating the apportionments of main sources of sediments, at the mouth of a small catchment called Durazno del Medio, located in the province of San Luis, Argentina. Elemental Analysis, measured by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), was used to select potential geochemical fingerprints of sediment. The unmixing model MixSIAR was applied to approximate the contribution of each identified source in the sediment accumulation areas at the mouth of the catchment. Potential sediment sources were selected using two criteria: (i) a hierarchical approach to identify the main geomorphological units (GUs) and (ii) the main land uses (LU), recognized by examining satellite images and field recognitions. The selected geochemical tracers were able to distinguish sources located in the Crystalline basement hills with loess-patched (CBH) as the main sediment contributors.

Assessment of prospective geological hazards in Torrevieja-La Mata coast (western Mediterranean) based on Pleistocene and Holocene events

The coastal zone in which the lagoons of La Mata and Torrevieja (Eastern Spain) developed can be described as a compilation of geo-hazards typical of the Mediterranean realm. This study has focused mainly on those linked to recent tectonics. Extensive use of the amino acid racemization dating method allowed us to establish the evolution of all the geomorphological units differentiated in the area, the most striking manifestation being at the La Mata Lagoon Bar, where MIS 5 deposits settled on MIS 7 sediments along a marked erosive unconformity, thereby attesting coastal uplift between these two stages. In addition, recent uplift processes were reflected on stepped abrasion platforms and, in some cases, enormous boulders were transported over these platforms by extreme surge waves. Furthermore, we obtained feasible evidence that, during the end of MIS 5, an earthquake with an offshore epicenter linked to Torrevieja Fault, Bajo Segura Fault or the set of faults linked to the former, was responsible for tsunami surge deposits represented in accumulations of randomly arranged and well-preserved Glycymeris and Acanthocardia shells. Recent catastrophic effects linked to the earthquakes were also detected. In this regard, comparison of the paleontological and taphonomic analyses allowed us to discern between wave and tsunami surge deposits. Therefore, evidence of these hazards undoubtedly points to important future (and present) erosive and/or catastrophic processes, which are enhanced by the presence of tourist resorts and salt-mining industry. Thus, these sites are also threatened by future increases in sea level in the context of warmer episodes, attested by raised marine fossil deposits. At the north of Cervera Cape, beaches will be eroded, without any possibility of sediment input from the starved Segura River delta. At the south of this cape, waves (and tsunamis) will erode the soft rocks that built up the cliff, creating deep basal notches.

Geological Mapping of Gunungbatu and Surrounding Areas, Bodeh District, Pemalang Regency, Central Java

Mapping is the activity of collecting data from an area to be mapped, in the context of geology mapping means collecting data that includes descriptions of rocks, rock structures, rock positions, structure measurements (plunge/trend, pitch, microfold), rock thickness measurements, rock sampling and sketches. landscape, covering an area to be mapped. Research in the area of Gunungbatu and its surroundings, Bodeh District, Pemalang Regency, Central Java Province with the aim of knowing and knowing that it is in the research area by reconstructing the history of formation or geomorphological history, merely tectonic history in space and time, reconstructing geological history based on micropaleontological analysis. Based on the analysis carried out, it was found that the geomorphological units of the study area were divided into 5, namely the Gunungbatu Syncline Hills Unit, the Kali Bodas Anticline Valley Unit, the Girimulya Syncline Hills Unit, the Cenggiri Homocline Hills Unit and the Kebubung Homocline Valley Unit. The geology of the study area consists of two unofficial rock units in order from oldest to youngest, namely the claystone-sandstone unit and the sandstone-claystone unit. The geological structures of the pinpoint folds and faults are Mount Ketos Syncline, Kali Bodas Anticline, Gapura Syncline, Pertapan Igir Syncline, Cenggiri River Rising Fault, Kebubung Dextral Fault, and Girimulya Dextral Fault. The geological history of the research area begins with the book Unit of Claystone in the Middle Miocene Environment in Upper Bathyal. Furthermore, after the claystone-sandstone units were deposited, during the Middle Miocene – Late Miocene in the Deep Neritic Environment, the sandstone-claystone units were deposited with a turbidite mechanism. As well as the geological resource potential of the research area in the form of river utilization in the form of chunks of igneous rock, river sand deposits and gold seepage. Meanwhile, the potential for geological disasters in the form of landslides.

Moss occurrences in Salair-Kuznetsk Region (Altai-Sayan mountain country)

In the flora of large regions, mosses comprise about a quarter of the total diversity of higher plants. However, now mosses are the least studied group of higher plants. Data on moss species distribution are fragmentary, especially in Russia with its vast expanse and low density of botanists. The author for many years has been studying the bryoflora of various areas of the Salair-Kuznetsk Region. In addition to the herbarium collection, the author's bryological relevés were organised as a Database. It stores all the assembled information for the years about the locations of the species, including when the specimens were not placed in the herbarium. The article describes three datasets that were arranged from the author's databases for three geomorphological units in the northwest of Altai-Sayan mountain country (South Siberia). Together, these three units are combined into the Salair-Kuznetsk Region. The datasets are: 1. Moss occurrences in the Kuznetsk upland. The dataset consists of 3940 occurrence records and includes both preserved specimens (1135) and ‘human observations’ of the author (2805). The material was collected mainly from 1992-2011; some samples collected by A. N. Vasiliev in 1970-1971 (165) were also taken into account. A total of 312 moss taxa belonging to 135 genera and 41 families are reported for the region. 2. Moss occurrences in Salair Ridge. The dataset consists of 2442 occurrence records and includes both preserved specimens (553) and ‘human observations’ of the author (1889). The material was collected mainly from 1992-1996; a total of 231 moss taxa belonging to 119 genera and 35 families are reported for the region. 3. Moss occurrences in Kuznetsk Depression. The dataset consists of 1690 occurrence records and includes both preserved specimens (281) and ‘human observations’ of the author (1409). The material was collected mainly from 2007-2014; a total of 155 moss taxa belonging to 85 genera and 30 families are reported for the region. All the records are geo-linked. The uncertainty of coordinates in metres varies from 500.0-10000.0 m for the earliest records that are geo-linked by topo-map, to 10.0-100.0 m for records after 2003 that are geo-linked by GPS. The article summarises the results of the author's long-term bryological investigations in the Salair-Kuznetsk Region (northwest of Altai-Sayan mountain country, South Siberia). In total, 8072 occurrence records for 366 moss species from 148 genera and 41 families are published for the territory. The datasets contribute to filling gaps in the moss species distribution and ecology.

Productivity of natural grasslands in different geomorphological units of the Sierras Pampeanas of Argentina

En las zonas semiáridas de Argentina existe una variación de los pastizales naturales asociados a diferentes unidades de paisaje. Los modelos digitales de terreno son herramientas que han permitido el estudio entre las variables físicas del ambiente y la dinámica y patrones de los ecosistemas semiáridos. Por tal motivo el objetivo de nuestro trabajo fue determinar si existen diferencias en la productividad y composición botánica del pastizal natural en las diferentes unidades geomorfológicas identificadas. La cuantificación de la cantidad de biomasa se realizó por el método del doble muestreo y composición botánica mediante el método de asignación de rangos. Para la determinación de las propiedades geomorfológicas se utilizó un modelo digital del terreno en donde se consideró: pendiente, orientación de laderas, altitud, índice de rugosidad del terreno e índice de humedad topográfica. Se encontraron diferencias en cuanto a la productividad y composición botánica del pastizal natural, influenciado de forma directa e indirecta por las características geomorfológicas como la altura, pendiente y rugosidad. La historia de sobrepastoreo a lo largo de décadas en el piedemonte del área de estudio ha contribuido a la degradación del pastizal mediante la pérdida de especies perennes palatables y la instalación de especies anuales y de baja calidad. Es necesario agregar estaciones de muestreo con escalas temporales más amplias teniendo en cuenta la presión de pastoreo

Compositional mapping of Titan’s surface using Cassini VIMS and RADAR data

<p>The investigation of Titan’s surface chemical composition is of great importance for the understanding of the atmosphere-surface-interior system of the moon. The Cassini cameras and especially the Visual and infrared Mapping Spectrometer has provided a sequence of spectra showing the diversity of Titan’s surface spectrum from flybys performed during the 13 years of Cassini’s operation. In the 0.8-5.2 μm range, this spectro-imaging data showed that the surface consists of a multivariable geological terrain hosting complex geological processes. The data from the seven narrow methane spectral “windows” centered at 0.93, 1.08, 1.27, 1.59, 2.03, 2.8 and 5 μm provide some information on the lower atmospheric context and the surface parameters. Nevertheless, atmospheric scattering and absorption need to be clearly evaluated before we can extract the surface properties. In various studies (Solomonidou et al., 2014; 2016; 2018; 2019; 2020a, 2020b; Lopes et al., 2016; Malaska et al., 2016; 2020), we used radiative transfer modeling in order to evaluate the atmospheric scattering and absorption and securely extract the surface albedo of multiple Titan areas including the major geomorphological units. We also investigated the morphological and microwave characteristics of these features using Cassini RADAR data in their SAR and radiometry mode. Here, we present a global map for Titan’s surface showing the chemical composition constraints for the various units. The results show that Titan’s surface composition, at the depths detected by VIMS, has significant latitudinal dependence, with its equator being dominated by organic materials from the atmosphere and a very dark unknown material, while higher latitudes contain more water ice. The albedo differences and similarities among the various geomorphological units give insights on the geological processes affecting Titan’s surface and, by implication, its interior. We discuss our results in terms of origin and evolution theories.</p> <p>References: [1] Solomonidou, A., et al. (2014), J. Geophys. Res. Planets, 119, 1729; [2] Solomonidou, A., et al. (2016), Icarus, 270, 85; [3] Solomonidou, A., et al. (2018), J. Geophys. Res. Planets, 123, 489; [4] Solomonidou, A., et al. (2020a), Icarus, 344, 113338; [5] Solomonidou, A., et al. (2020b), A&A 641, A16; [6] Lopes, R., et al. (2016) Icarus, 270, 162; [7] Malaska, M., et al. (2016), Icarus 270, 130; [8] Malaska, M., et al. (2020), Icarus, 344, 113764.</p> <p>Acknowledgements: This work was conducted at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) under contract with NASA. Y.M. and A.S. (partly) was  supported by the Czech Science Foundation (grant no. 20-27624Y). ©2021 California Institute of Technology. Government sponsorship acknowledged.</p>

Assesment of prospective geological hazards in Torrevieja-La Mata coast (Western Mediterranean) based on Pleistocene and Holocene events

The coastal zone in which the lagoons of La Mata and Torrevieja (Eastern Spain) developed can be described as a compilation of geo-hazards typical of the Mediterranean realm. This study has focused mainly on those linked to recent tectonics. Extensive use of the amino acid racemization dating method allowed us to establish the evolution of all the geomorphological units differentiated in the area, the most striking manifestation being at the La Mata Lagoon Bar, where MIS 5 deposits settled on MIS 7 sediments along a marked erosive unconformity, thereby attesting coastal uplift between these two stages. In addition, recent uplift processes were reflected on stepped abrasion platforms and, in some cases, enormous boulders were transported over these platforms by extreme surge waves. Furthermore, we obtained feasible evidence that, during the end of MIS 5, an earthquake with an offshore epicenter linked to Torrevieja Fault, Bajo Segura Fault or the set of faults linked to the former, was responsible for tsunami surge deposits represented in accumulations of randomly arranged and well preserved Glycymeris and Acanthocardia shells. Recent catastrophic effects linked to the earthquakes were also detected. In this regard, comparison of the paleontological and taphonomic analyses allowed us to discern between wave and tsunami surge deposits. Therefore, evidence of these hazards undoubtedly points to important future (and present) erosive and/or catastrophic processes, which are enhanced by the presence of tourist resorts and salt-mining industry. Thus, these sites are also threatened by future increases in sea level in the context of warmer episodes, attested by raised marine fossil deposits. At the north of Cervera Cape, beaches will be eroded, without any possibility of sediment input from the starved Segura River delta. South of this cape, waves (and tsunamis) will erode the soft rocks that built up the cliff, creating deep basal notches and causing rockfall and the collapse of the overlying buildings.

Terra sigillata in southern Latium. The evidence from the Pontine Region Project, 1987-2014

This contribution is the first of a series of publications by the authors to systematically disclose the wealth of material evidence collected during some 30 years of fieldwork in the Pontine region by the Pontine Region Project. This project has, since its inception in the mid-1980s, investigated more than 36 km2 of terrain across all major geomorphological units of the region, largely by means of systematic surface investigations. During these investigations, close to 200 000 artefacts were collected for further study, including c. 1 660 fragments of (Italian) terra sigillata, the emblematic, shiny red fine table ware of the Early Imperial period. In this article, we present a detailed spatial and contextual analysis of the terra sigillata fragments that have been gathered within the Pontine Region Project and discuss the results in light of economic issues (market integration, economic growth). We then supplement this evidence by published evidence of name stamps from surrounding areas to further expose to what extent, and in what ways, the different parts of southern Latium were embedded in the long-distance economic networks of the period.

Characteristics of Underwater Topography, Geomorphology and Sediment Source in Qinzhou Bay

Human activities for exploitation and utilization of coastal zones have transformed coastline morphology and severely changed regional flow fields, underwater topography, and sediment distribution in the sea. In this study, single-beam bathymetry coupled with sediment sampling and analysis was carried out to ascertain submarine topography, geomorphology and sediment distribution patterns, and explore sediment provenance in Qinzhou Bay, China. The results show the following: (1) the underwater topography in Qinzhou Bay is complex and variable, with water depths in the range of 0–20 m. It can be divided into four underwater topographic zones (the central (outer Qinzhou Bay), eastern (Sanniang Bay), western (east of Fangcheng Port), and southern (outside of the bay) parts); (2) based on geomorphological features, the study area comprises four major submarine geomorphological units (i.e., tide-dominated delta, tidal sand ridge group, tidal scour troughs, and underwater slope) and two intertidal geomorphological units (i.e., tidal flat and abrasion platforms); (3) sandy sediments are widely present in Qinzhou Bay, accounting for 70% of the total sediments. From the mouth of the Maowei Sea to the central and northern part of Qinzhou Bay, the sediments gradually become coarser, shifting from sandy mud to muddy sand, and then to fine sand and medium–coarse sand, especially inside the trench. The detrital minerals contained in the sediments mainly consist of quartz, feldspar, ilmenite, leucosphenite, tourmaline, and detrital minerals, whereas the clay minerals are dominated by kaolinite, followed by illite and smectite. The sediment provenance is mainly terrigenous input from near-source river. With sea reclamation and dam construction, outer Qinzhou Bay has experienced enormous morphological variation of its coastline. Human activities for exploitation and utilization of coastal zones have transformed coastline morphology and severely changed regional flow fields, underwater topography, and sediment distribution in the sea. Together with the channel effect where the velocity of ebb tide is greater than that of flood tide, the underwater topography is characterized by increased scale and height difference of troughs and ridges as well as enhanced offshore deposition.