Caracterização da textura dos sedimentos superficiais do fundo do estuário de Macuse-Zambézia

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to characterize the texture of the surface sediments of the Macuse - Zambézia estuary, through the particle size analysis of the statistical parameters proposed by (Folk and Ward, 1957). Sediment samples were collected longitudinally at 16 points parallel to the coastline along the estuarine channel using a Van-Veen type bottom sampler with good recovery in shallow water. To obtain the presented results, they were submitted to particle size analysis in the Sedimentology Laboratory of the Department of Geology of Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) using sieving and pipetting techniques. In general, the most representative textural class is Sand containing 56%, followed by Silte with 32% and Clay with approximately 12%, very fine sand occurs preferably in the zones of higher energy level (from the mixing zone towards the zone turbidity) compared to Silt and Clay. The sand and the sand are distributed in approximate proportions along the mixing zone, the clay in relation to its distribution, is practically non-existent along the channel studied.