Distribution of biogenics components in the sediment of the area of Salvador Channel, Todos os Santos Bay, Bahia

Abstract

This study presents a preliminary analysis of biogenic composition of bottom sediments collected in the Salvador Channel, one of the main accesses to the Todos os Santos Bay. In order to characterize the biogenic composition and identify the groups of organisms contributing to the production of recent carbonatic sediment, samples of bottom sediments were used, from which 300 grains were recorded in grain fractions larger than 0.125mm. The occurrence of biogenic sediments seems to be inversely proportional to the depth and directly proportional to carbonate rate.  Among the carbonatic biogenic components, the most representative ones were the mollusks, at a 30.2% frequency. Additionally, mollusks are the ones which actively contribute with the formation of carbonatic sediments in the location, for in almost all the sampled station the shells are well preserved.