Aspectos biogeomorfológicos do Atol das Rocas, Atlântico Sul Equatorial

Abstract BIOGEOMORPHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF ROCAS ATOLL, EQUATORIAL SOUTH ATLANTIC Biogeomorphological analysis and mapping of the reef units in the only Atoll from the Equatorial South Atlantic were held for understanding the dynamics and the importance of ocean reef. The zoning shows the presence of the following environmental compartments: reef front, adjacent bottom, reef margin, reef flat, reef ring, suspended reef, lagoonal reef, intertidal sand deposit, reef pass, pools, puddles of tide and the sand cays. The results show that a variety groups of organisms in Atoll that act in group processes such: control of erosion on sand cays, bioprotection, bioerosion, cementation of biogenic carbonate sand, production of biodetritic sediments and bioconstruction. Such biogeomorphological processes generate some of the unique characteristics of Rocas Atoll.