Marcelo Metri Corrêa

Caracterização e gênese do caráter coeso em latossolos amarelos e argissolos dos tabuleiros costeiros do estado de Alagoas

The cohesive character is an attribute of subsurface soil horizons with hard to extremely hard consistency when dry, and friable or firm when wetted. Despite the agricultural importance, the formation of these horizons is not yet completely understood. The objective of this study was to characterize and assess the possible mechanisms involved in the formation of cohesive horizons in soils of the Coastal Tablelands of Northeast Brazil, in order to understand their pedogenesis and to identify physical and chemical parameters that can be used for the definition of the cohesive character in the Brazilian System of Soil Classification. Four soil profiles were morphologically characterized: a Yellow Argisol (Ultisol), a Gray Argisol (Ultisol) and two Yellow Latosols (Oxisols). Samples from cohesive and non-cohesive horizons were taken for physical and chemical analysis. The morphological description revealed the presence of the cohesive character both under forest as well as under cultivation, confirming its pedogenetic nature. Soil morphology and soil density, together with the specific surface area efficiently identified the cohesive character in the studied soils.

Mineralogy and micromorphology of cohesive horizons in oxisols and ultisols of the coastal tablelands of Alagoas, Brazil

The cohesive character is a property of subsurface soil horizons with hard to extremely hard consistency when dry, and friable or firm when wet. Despite the agricultural importance, the formation of these horizons has not been fully explained. The objective of this study was a chemical, mineralogical and micromorphological characterization of cohesive soils of the Coastal Tablelands in Northeast Brazil, to understand their pedogenesis and identify properties for the definition of the cohesive character by the Brazilian System of Soil Classification. The following four soil profiles were morphologically characterized: a Yellow Argisol (Ultisol), a Gray Argisol (Ultisol) and two Yellow Latosols (Oxisols). Samples from cohesive and non cohesive horizons were taken for chemical analysis of Fe, Al and Si extracted by DCD, oxalate, CaCl2 and hot water, mineralogy by X ray diffraction, and micromorphological characterization. The Fe contents in the soils were low and kaolinite with a moderate to high degree of structural disorder predominated in all studied soil horizons. No increase in Al and Si extracted by DCB and oxalate was observed in the cohesive horizons, indicating the absence of cementation in its genesis. Results of the mineralogical and micromorphological characterization suggest two distinct phases in the genesis of the cohesive character. The first step was determined by clay illuviation, clogging the soil pores, and later iron loss, destroying the soil structure and resulting in a direct adjustment with kaolinite particles.

Topolitossequências de solos do Alto Paranaíba: atributos físicos, químicos e mineralógicos

Little is known bout the pedogenetic differentiation in Alto Paranaiba, western Minas Gerais, Brazil, when materials with such a variety of chemical compositions as tufite, alkaline-ultramafic igneous rocks and carbonatites are compared, which are all found in this region. The purpose of this study was to characterize the physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of three representative soil topolitosequences of the Alto Paranaiba region. Therefore, 11 soil profiles were described and collected in the Serra do Salitre, Patrocinio and Coromandel counties, representing the influence of mafic-ultramafic bodies along the geological interface between Bambui and Araxa groups. Soil samples were routinely analyzed for physical and chemical properties, besides determinations of Fe, Al and Si after sulfuric extraction; Fe after extraction by DCB and oxalate; Fe, Ca, Mg, K, P, Ti, and other heavy metals after total digestion (triacid attack); and determination of the different components in the clay fraction by DRX. The Latosols (Oxisols) of the Alto Paranaiba are extremely weathered and have very low Ki and Kr indexes, indicators of soils with high iron and aluminum oxides contents, with no defined relationship with the underlying parent materials, indicating intense pedoturbation and mixture with alloctonous materials. The geochemical signatures of the ultramafic nature are the unusual high content of Cr, Ni, Mn, Fe, and Mg. The clay fraction mineralogy of the Latosols shows the coexistence of VHE, kaolinite, gibbsite, and anatase, indicating a polycyclic genesis of the minerals from the finer fraction and the high weathering degree. In the Cambisols, the current rapid desilification indicates the coexistence of gibbsite and iron oxides with smectites and illite because of the fast weathering in the silicon-poor mafic or alkaline-ultramafic rock substrates.

Caracterização de óxidos de ferro de solos do ambiente tabuleiros costeiros

Varios tem sido os trabalhos contemplando a genese e as consequencias da coesao em Argissolos e Latossolos nos tabuleiros costeiros e interioranos. Poucos, entretanto, saos os estudos referentes a mineralogia da fracao argila, sobretudo aqueles referentes a uma completa caracterizacao dos oxidos de Fe. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar as caracteristicas quimicas e cristalograficas dos oxidos de Fe de solos vermelhos e amarelos, derivados de sedimentos da Formacao Barreiras ou de materiais do Pre-Cambriano, que ocorrem na regiao dos Tabuleiros Costeiros ou Interioranos de diversos Estados do Pais. Para tanto, foram realizadas analises de difratometria de raios X, em amostras concentradas de oxidos de Fe, extracoes sucessivas com DCB e extracao com oxalato de amonio em amostras de argila, caracterizacao espectral por ERD, estimativa das propriedades cristalograficas da goethita, quantificacao da substituicao isomorfica de Fe por Al e microscopia eletronica de transmissao. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, concluiu-se que: (a) a goethita mostrou-se como oxido de Fe predominante em todos os solos, mesmo naqueles com matizes 2,5YR, cujo valor de hematita foi inferior a 2,5 dag kg-1 de argila; (b) os valores de substituicao isomorfica de Fe por Al das goethitas foram de tres a seis vezes superiores aos da hematita, bem como nao condizem com os valores estimados por modelos matematicos, propostos pela literatura cientifica, indicando a necessidade de realizacao de novos estudos, a fim de demonstrar a existencia de relacoes entre os parâmetros cristalograficos de goethitas naturais e suas propriedades quimicas; (c) os resultados obtidos por difratometria de raios X e analise de dissolucao quimica revelaram que as goethitas dos solos sao distintas daquelas citadas, ate o momento, na literatura; e (d) a posicao das bandas obtidas nos espectros de espectroscopia de refletância difusa apresentou correlacao com algumas propriedades cristalograficas das goethitas dos solos estudados, mostrando-se ser uma tecnica promissora para o estudo dos oxidos de ferro.

Frações de carbono orgânico de um latossolo húmico sob diferentes usos no agreste brasileiro

The conversion of natural vegetation to cultivated land often results in changes in the quantity and quality of soil organic matter. The magnitude of these alterations varies according to the soil properties, climate, crops and soil management. Soil organic C is not always a sensitive indicator of soil changes. The distribution of C fractions is therefore being used to assess the soil organic matter quality more precisely. This study evaluated the changes in organic C fractions of a Humic Oxisol under different uses. Soil samples were collected from five different environments (native forest, scrub exposed to sporadic fires, a 30 year pasture, 25 year pasture and annual crops) in four layers (0.0-2.5; 2.5-5.0, 5.0-7.5, and 7.5-10.0 cm). In the 25 year-old pasture and annual crops the contents of soil organic C were reduced, especially in the surface layer 0.0-2.5 cm. In these areas, the biomass microbial C and water soluble C proved to be more sensitive to management changes. In the 30 year-old pasture, the contents of fulvic acids, humic acids and humina were higher than in the area under pasture for 25 years, in all layers.

Pedogenetic processes in anthrosols with pretic horizon (Amazonian Dark Earth) in Central Amazon, Brazil

Anthrosols known as Amazonian Dark Earth (ADE) have borne witness to the intensification of sedentary patterns and the demographic increase in Central Amazon. As a result, a recurring pattern has been observed of mounds with ADE arising from domestic activities and the disposal of waste. The objective of this research was to demonstrate the relationship of these anthropic activities with pedogenetic formation processes of ADE in the municipality of Iranduba, Brazil. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were taken from two areas of ADE (pretic horizon) and from a non-anthropic pedon. Physical, chemical, micromorphological and SEM-EDS analyses were performed. The coarse material of the pretic horizons consisted predominantly of quartz, iron nodules, ceramics and charcoal fragments, and the fine material is organo-mineral. There was a direct relationship between the color of pretic horizons and the number of charcoal fragments. The thickness of the ADE results from the redistribution of charcoal at depth through bioturbation, transforming subsurface horizons into anthropic horizons. ADE presents granular microaggregates of geochemical and zoogenetic origin. Degradation of iron nodules is intensified in pretic horizons, promoting a reverse pedogenic process contributing to the xanthization process. Surprisingly the anthropic activities also favor clay dispersion and argilluviation; clay coatings on the ceramic fragments and in the pores demonstrate that this is a current process. Processes identified as contributing to ADE genesis included: i) addition of organic residues and ceramic artifacts (cumulization) with the use of fire; ii) mechanical action of humans, roots and macrofauna (bioturbation); iii) melanization of deeper horizons as a result of bioturbation; iv) argilluviation and degradation of iron nodules. This study offers new support to archaeological research in respect to ADE formation processes in Central Amazon and confirmed the hypothesis that ancient anthropic activities may trigger and/or accelerate pedogenetic processes previously credited only to natural causes.

Humic Haplustox under different land uses in a high altitude environment in the Agreste region of Pernambuco, Brazil

The Garanhuns Plateau in the Agreste region of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil is characterized by humid climatic conditions due to orographic rains, unlike the surrounding semiarid region. These soils are subjected to intense agricultural use and are extremely important for the regional economy. This study was carried out in the municipality of Brejao in the Agreste region with the aim of assessing changes in humic Haplustox soils subjected to different land uses. Four plots with different vegetation covers (native forest, secondary shrubby vegetation (capoeira), traditional cropping system, and planted pasture) were selected, and samples were taken from a soil profile and four small pits surrounding it at each site. Physical and chemical properties were assessed, including aggregate stability, humic organic fractions, and a microbiological evaluation through determination of basal respiration, microbial biomass carbon, and metabolic quotient. The soils under study showed physical and chemical properties typical of a Haplustox, such as low nutrient content, low cation exchange capacity, and high levels of acidity and Al saturation. The total organic carbon (TOC) contents were high regardless of the type of land use. Aggregates < 2 mm were dominant in all the conditions under study. The TOC content was higher in the soil under capoeira, 43.91 g kg-1 on the surface, while 34.36 and 33.43 g kg-1 of TOC were observed in the first layer of forest and pasture soils, respectively. While the microbial biomass C (MBC) was greater than 700 mg kg-1 in the forest and pasture areas (in the 0-5 cm layer), and 588 mg kg-1 in the soil under capoeira, these numbers were not statistically different. In the cultivated soil area, there was a reduction of around 28 % in TOC and MBC contents. Agricultural activity contributed to degradation of the humic horizon, as can be seen from a significant decrease in the TOC and changes in the relative distribution of the humic fractions. In contrast, aggregate stability was not altered as a function of the different land uses; the soil under planted pasture and capoeira were similar to the soil under native forest. Humin was the most important humified fraction for C reserves, contributing over 40 % of the TOC in these soils.

Modelo numérico do transporte de água e soluto no solo: I - simulação da distribuição de umidade

The differential equations that govern the water flow and the solute transport in an unsaturated soil, considering the water extraction by plants were solved using the finite difference method. A computer model named SIMASS-C (Simulation of the water and solute transport in the soil considering water extraction) was developed using Delphi language. The model allows to calculate the water content, matric potential, water flux and solute concentration through the soil profile. Besides that, the model output gives the growth and the density of the roots, the leaf area index and the crop evapotranspiration. To test the model, an experiment was conducted in a green house using 42 soil columns made of PVC tubes. In each column, corn was seeded and during 30 days after the emergence the soil water content was determined. The SIMASS-C was used to simulate the soil water content during the experiment. By comparing the simulated and the experimental data, it was possible to conclude that the SIMASS-C did quite well in predicting the soil water movement in the soil.