Contribution to the geological, archaeological and biological knowledge of the Mariuá Archipelago, middle Negro Rver - AM

Abstract

The present project intends to study the Mariuá Archipelago, considered the largest on the planet, which is located in the middle stretch of the Rio Negro, Amazon. It has more than 1,400 islands, whose deposits can keep records of the main sedimentary, climatic and tectonic processes that influenced the evolution stages of the Rio Negro Basin. This archipelago is considered a priority region for biodiversity conservation, as indicated in federal and state seminars and workshops. Despite preserving all this heritage, so far, there are no studies on the sedimentation and genesis of this archipelago, which is vulnerable to external actions, such as proximity to the city of Barcelos and mining activities in the Upper Rio Negro, which can potentially cause profound changes in the landscape. Taking these factors into account, this research project emphasizes the application of geochronological methods (LOE-SAR, TT-LOE and LM-LOE, Carbon -14) to define the ages of the sedimentary deposits that make up the islands and fluvial terraces of the Archipelago of Mariuá, which associated with sedimentological, stratigraphic, chemical, mineralogical, archaeological and biological data, will allow defining stages of development in the last thousands of years. The data obtained will be of great importance to foster strategic political preservation measures by government agencies, helping to define parameters related to regional development, such as the construction of ports and urban expansion areas in the municipality of Barcelos. Protection measures deserve a great deal of focus due to the high degree of dependence of the riverside and indigenous peoples on natural resources. The execution of this project will have the support of the State Secretariat for the Environment (SEMA / AMAZONAS), the Municipality of Barcelos and the Municipal Secretary of Environment of Barcelos. (AU)