Abstract The characterization presented in this study aims to identify and map the different types of pedogeomorphic units found in a 7th order, the Pandeiros river basin, in the upper São Francisco River (1st order basin), located in the North of Minas Gerais State. A general panoramic view of the geodiversity is presented, since the Pedogeomorphic Maps allow a visualization of the spatial distribution of the main pedogeomorphic classes, providing important information for various purposes, such as teaching, research and land-use planning. These Maps are relevant specifically for the territorial planning, even without providing data of the local use and occupation because they have strategic information for the understanding and evaluation of the landscape dynamics in region, offering subsidies to the understandings of the processes, phenomena and behaviors of the physical environment related to the different forms of interference of human actions. The Maps also provide support for environmental assessments that have been applied to identify, characterize and monitor trends in environmental aspects.

Imagens de radar são úteis em geologia devido à visão sinóptica e a uma cobertura a um custo relativamente baixo. Particularmente na região amazônica, o uso de imagens de radar em aplicações geológicas é favorecido pela capacidade de realce do relevo (macrotopografia), da rugosidade superficial (microtopografia) e da constante dielétrica, independente da presença de nuvens, ângulo solar e condições de iluminação. A microtopografia do terreno, realçada neste tipo de imagem, permite que a textura das imagens de radar possa ser usada no mapeamento das coberturas lateríticas mineralizadas em ferro do depósito N1, localizado na Província de Carajás. A investigação se baseou em imagens adquiridas por radar aerotransportado (SIVAM/SIPAM, banda L-hh, L-hv e L-vv), cujas faixas de voo foram degradadas visando à simulação do SAR orbital MAPSAR. Os dados foram analisados através de classificações texturais, derivadas de medidas obtidas por meio de Matriz de Co-ocorrência dos Níveis de Cinza (MCNC) com o objetivo de mapeamento das unidades lateríticas em N1. Muitas diferenças foram encontradas entre as classes mapeadas e o mapa de verdade terrestre. Nem todas as classes foram separadas, mas a hematita apresentou alto desempenho na classificação. Esta classe foi sensível aos parâmetros do alvo e do sensor, especialmente a macrotopografia e as características físicas. Os resultados mostraram que a classificação baseada em MCNC pode ser usada como ferramenta preliminar de mapeamento das lateritas e como um guia para verificação de campo.

The use of remote sensing is a valuable method for geological mapping as it provides synoptic coverage at relatively low cost. In the Amazon region, radar imagery has a potential for geological applications due the enhanced sensitivity to topography (macrotopography), surface roughness (microtopography), and dielectric properties of materials, independent of weather, sun angle, and illumination conditions. As the roughness is highlighted, SAR textural attributes can be used for mapping iron-ore mineralized laterites in N1 deposit, located in the Carajás Province. For mapping the lateritic cover, the airborne SAR was used from Surveillance of the Amazon System (SIVAM/SIPAM, L-hh, L-hv, L-vv) to simulate orbital Multi-Application Purpose SAR (MAPSAR). The images were analyzed through textural classifications derived from second-order measure (GLCM) with the objective of mapping the mineralized laterites for iron ore. Differences are highlighted when comparing the classified maps and the ground information. Not all classes were separated, but a high performance for textural attributes was presented by the hematite class. This class was sensitive to the sensor and target parameters, especially macrotopography and physics characteristics. The results showed that for mineral exploration, the radar images at L-band can be used as a practical tool for a preliminary mapping, and as a guide for field-based verification.