Abstract
This paper is a literature review on marine hardbottom environments (MHE) that emerge in coastal regions in the Brazilian state of Ceará. This stretch of the Brazilian coast houses several rock formations, which are widely distributed in the intertidal zone. These formations have various origins and composition, ranging from crystalline rocks to biogenic structures, but most are composed by sandstones. These substrates support biodiverse ecosystems that produce valuable environmental goods and services, which have historical and socioeconomic relevance for the state. Despite their importance, they are currently threatened by various types of local and global stressors, and a consistent government effort to protect them is still lacking. There are many knowledge gaps regarding these formations and new studies are needed to support conservation actions involving these ecosystems.
 Keywords: reef, beachrock, sandstone, intertidal zone, benthos
Highlights
The structure and function of benthic marine ecosystems are influenced by their substrates (Gerlach, 1972)
Three main types of marine hardbottom environments (MHE) are usually recognized in the coastal zone of Brazil (
Unlike beachrocks, which are formed by beach sands cemented by calcium carbonate, ferruginous sandstones are formed by sediments from the Barreiras Group and quaternary fluvial deposits (Ximenes Neto, 2020), cemented by iron oxide (Morais, 1969)
Summary
The structure and function of benthic marine ecosystems are influenced by their substrates (Gerlach, 1972). Unlike beachrocks, which are formed by beach sands cemented by calcium carbonate, ferruginous sandstones are formed by sediments from the Barreiras Group (a continental terrigenous sediment deposit that occurs along most of the Brazilian coastline) and quaternary fluvial deposits (Ximenes Neto, 2020), cemented by iron oxide (Morais, 1969) These rocks emerge in the intertidal zone due to coastal erosion and are the main components of the wave-cut platforms at the base of cliffs in the state. At the mouth of the Coreaú River, near the municipality of Camocim (west coast of Ceará), conglomerates cemented by a ferruginous-siliceous lateritic material are observed at the foot of cliffs (Marques; Claudino-Sales & Pinheiro, 2019a) These rocks are associated with the Camocim Formation, a sedimentary deposit of Neogene age that is probably associated with the Barreiras Group (Marques; Claudino-Sales & Pinheiro, 2019b), but which is still little recognized in geological studies (Marques; Claudino-Sales & Pinheiro, 2019a). More definitive conservation actions aimed at these environments are urgently needed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
