Mateus Rosas Ribeiro

Teores de Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni E Co em solos de referência de Pernambuco

Heavy metals are a group of elements with specific features and natural occurrence in the environment, representing an accessory in the formation of rocks. These elements, although associated with toxicity, must be treated different from xenobiotics, since many metals are evidentially essentials (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Ni) and beneficial (Co) for plants. In this context, the objective was to determine the natural contents of the metals iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) in benchmark soils of Pernambuco. Soil samples were collected in the three physiographic regions of the state (Zona da Mata, Agreste and Sertao), in the first two horizons of the 35 benchmark soils of the state of Pernambuco. Sample digestion was based on the method 3051A (USEPA, 1998) and determined by ICP-OES. Significant correlations were found between these metals and those with the clay soil fraction in both horizons, indicating the general association of most metals to the most clayey soils. The Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Co contents of most soils were lower than in soils from other regions of the country and more mafic lithology, which confirms that the contents of these elements are more directly related to iron-magnesium minerals. The results indicate a low capacity of the soils of Pernambuco to release Cu, Co and Ni to plants, while deficiencies of Zn, Fe and Mn are less likely. The natural contents of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Co determined here can be used as a basis for defining the Quality Reference Values for soils of Pernambuco, as stipulated by the Brazilian legislation.

Estimativa do risco de sodificação de solos de Pernambuco pelo uso de águas salinas

An experiment was carried out in permeameters provided with vertical column and constant hydraulic head in order to evaluate sodification risks of soils with contrasting characteristics and treated with solutions of different electrical conductivities (EC) and sodium adsorption ratios (SAR). The treatments consisted of nine soils and eighteen percolating solutions with three EC values (175, 500 and 1,500 μS cm -1 ) and six SAR values (0 to 30 for sandy soils, 0 to 25 for medium textured soils and 0 to 15 for clay textured soils). Initially, the adjustment of the Na:Ca ratio on the cation exchange complex of the soils was performed using solutions with concentration of 50 mmol c L -1 . Later on leaching with solutions of different EC but same SAR was maintained to reach steady state flow, when the permeameters were dismantled and the soil samples removed for chemical analysis. Exchangeable sodium and cation exchange capacity were determined to calculate exchangeable sodium ratio (ESR) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP). Equations were adjusted between either ESR or ESP with EC and SAR of the percolating solution, the increment of EC and SAR elevated the soil ESR and the ESP. It may be concluded that the correct assessment of the sodification hazard has to take into consideration the soil properties and the water quality.

Caracterização de latossolo amarelo sob cultivo contínuo de cana-de-açúcar no estado de Alagoas: atributos morfológicos e físicos

The effects of continuous sugarcane cropping on the physical and morphological properties of a clayey xanthic ferralsol were studied in the region of the Low Coastal Tablelands of Alagoas State, Brazil. Four sites were selected at Caete mill, Sao Miguel dos Campos, State of Alagoas, Brazil, involving a native forest (Tn), and sugarcane fields, cultivated for periods of two (T2), eighteen (T18) and twenty-five (T25) years. The soils were morphologically characterized, and samples were taken from each horizon to determine particle size distribution, degree of floculation, moisture at - 0.034 MPa and - 1.52 MPa, soil bulk and particle densities, macroporosity and calculated total porosity. Undisturbed samples of the A, AB and BA horizons of each profile were collected to determine microporosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil bulk density. The results showed that the agricultural use promoted morphological changes with the development of an Ap horizon showing abrupt transition to the underlying AB horizon and lack of structure. In relation to physical properties, the results indicated that the cultivation decreased the clay content of the surface horizon and increased significantly that of the sub-surface horizon. After an evident negative impact on physical properties after the first crop, the management practices promoted a new equilibrium, with increases in total porosity and water availability. On the other hand, the agricultural use resulted in a significant reduction of the saturated hydraulic conductivity in the surface horizon, when compared to the virgin forest site.

Funções de pedotransferência para predição da umidade retida a potenciais específicos em solos do estado de Pernambuco

Pedotransfer functions are equations used to estimate soil properties of difficult determination, based on other, more easily obtained soil properties. In spite of the considerable number of equations available to predict moisture retention to specific matrix potentials, these should not be used indiscriminatley,since most of them were developed in temperate climate soils, using data obtained by method that differ from the ones used in Brazilian laboratories. The objectives of this study were: (a) to develop pedotransference functions to estimate water retention at potentials between -33 and -1,500 kPa and water availability, using particle size distribution and global density data from soils of Pernambuco State, and (b) to compare the prediction efficiency of the new equations with similar equations available in literature. A database of 467 soil horizons from 98 soil profiles was used to develop the equations. The profiles were grouped, according to the Brazilian Soil Classification System, in 27 third category level classes (great group) The obtained equations showed worthwhile determination coefficients and low prediction standard error. Data grouping according to clay fraction, approximated development rate or textural class, did not improve the prediction capacity of the pedofunctions. The equations proposed in other works presented high prediction errors and are not recommended for soils of Pernambuco State.

Condutividade hidráulica de solos de Pernambuco em resposta à condutividade elétrica e RAS da água de irrigação

An experiment was carried out in permeameters provided on vertical soil columns with constant hydraulic head in order to evaluate the hydraulic conductivity of soils with contrasting characteristics, and treated with solutions of different electrical conductivities (EC) and sodium adsorption ratios (SAR). The treatments consisted of nine soils, three EC values (175, 500 and 1.500 mS cm-1) and six SAR values of the irrigation water (0 to 30 for sandy soils, 0 to 25 for medium textured soils, and 0 to 15 for clay textured soils). Initially, an adjustment of the Na:Ca ratio in the cation exchange complex was performed with solutions at concentration of 50 mmolc L-1. The saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil (K0) was measured and the relative hydraulic conductivity (K0R) was determined, considering the maximum average K0 values of each soil as 100%. The K0R values were related to CE and SAR of the treatments, by adjusting the response surfaces. The correlation between K0 and the exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) showed an inverse relationship between both variables in most of the studied soils. The increment in SAR resulted in the decrease of the K0R. It was not possible to define just one ESP value in order to establish a limit for sodic soils. ESP should be considered together with the EC of the irrigation water, as well as soil properties such as texture and mineralogy.

Caracterização de um latossolo amarelo sob cultivo contínuo de cana-de-açúcar no estado de Alagoas: propriedades químicas

Foram estudados os efeitos do cultivo continuo da cana-de-acucar nas principais propriedades quimicas de um Latossolo Amarelo argiloso da regiao dos tabuleiros costeiros do estado de Alagoas, Brasil. Quatro talhoes foram selecionados na Usina Caete, municipio de Sao Miguel dos Campos, sendo um com vegetacao nativa (Tn), e os demais cultivados por periodos de 2 (T2), 18 (T18) e 25 (T25) anos. Os solos foram morfologicamente caracterizados e, nas amostras de cada horizonte, determinados pH (H2O e KCl), carbono orgânico, fosforo disponivel, bases trocaveis, capacidade de troca cationica, saturacao por bases e saturacao por aluminio. Os resultados mostraram que o manejo adotado no cultivo da cana-de-acucar melhorou a fertilidade dos solos estudados, proporcionando aumentos no pH, nos teores de calcio, de magnesio, de fosforo, de bases trocaveis e diminuicao da saturacao por aluminio. Observou-se tambem a movimentacao de calcio e de magnesio para os horizontes inferiores.

Influência do cultivo contínuo da cana-de-açúcar em latossolos amarelos coesos do estado de Alagoas: propriedades micromorfológicas

The effects of continuous sugarcane cropping on the properties of a clayey Yellow Latosol were studied in the region of the Low Coastal Tablelands of Alagoas State, Brazil. Four sites were selected at Caete mill, Sao Miguel dos Campos, AL, involving a native forest (Tn) and sugarcane fields cultivated for periods of two (T2), eighteen (T18) and twenty-five (T25) years. The soils were morphologically characterized and undisturbed samples of the A, AB, and BA horizons of each profile were collected for micromorphological analysis. The results showed that agricultural use promoted morphological changes with the development of an Ap horizon with loss of original structure. After an evident negative impact on physical properties after the first crop (profile T2), management practices promoted a partial increase in the macroporosity of the surface horizon after 18 and 25 years. Besides the development of compaction in the Ap and AB horizon with cultivation, a natural pedogenetic dense layer was observed in the BA horizon. This densification is increased with agricultural use, due to the filling of pores with illuvial clay. Total porosity measurements obtained by image analysis of thin sections revealed decreasing porosity at the surface horizon with the first cultivation. This reduction, however, did not increase with continuous cropping. The image analysis also showed that the natural porosity of the BA horizon is very small even in the profile under native forest, indicating pedogenic origin of the densification of this horizon. Although clay coatings were not observed in the field, micromorphology showed pedofeatures with clay coatings in peds and filling of pores with illuvial clay. This observation and the significant increase of the textural gradient all suggest a tendency to the formation of an argillic horizon with time.

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.

Topossequência de solos na transição campos naturais-floresta na região de Humaitá, Amazonas

The objective of this work was to study soil-relief relations in a grassland-forest transition, in the region of Humaita, Amazonas State, Brazil. The study area was selected based on the criterion of regional representativity (most common landscape) and in the level of environmental preservation. The sample collection was carried out in a transect from the grassland towards the forest, and the different soil environments were identified and limited according relief position, vegetation patterns and soil characteristics. Soil profiles were morphologically characterized and samples collected from all horizons for physical and chemical analysis for normal profile characterization. including SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 extracted by H2SO4 attack, free iron oxides by DCB extraction and poor crystalline iron oxides extracted by ammonium oxalate. Mineralogical analysis was also carried out by X-ray diffraction. The results suggest that soil variation in the landscape was directly related with the relief, which determines soil drainage and water table level.

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.