Valdomiro Severino de Souza Júnior

Valores de referência de qualidade para metais pesados em solos do Rio Grande do Norte

Industrial development and population growth have increased heavy metal concentrations in soils and impacted soil quality. In this scenario, environmental protection agencies have been concerned with establishing heavy metal quality reference values (QRV) that may identify contaminated sites. The study was carried out to provide soil reference values for the metals Ag, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn in soils of the State of Rio Grande do Norte according to Brazilian legislation. The study analyzed 416 soil samples taken from native forest or areas with minimal human interference. These samples were digested by the USEPA 3051A method, and the metals were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) or flame atomic absorption (FAA). The results showed that regional geochemical surveys are essential in establishing QRVs for heavy metals. For example, the QRV for the soils of Rio Grande do Norte were more restrictive than the QRVs adopted for other Brazilian states. Confirmation factorial analysis of the data was useful for obtaining more reliable QRVs and showed that for the state these values could be obtained from two replicates only per collection location. Thus, advance planning is essential in distribution of sampling locations so that the diverse geomorphological, pedological, and geological compartments of the state are represented.

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.

Relações solo-superfície geomórfica em uma topossequência várzea-terra firme na região de Humaitá (AM)

The geomorphic surface concept allows interrelationship among various branches of soil sciences, such as geology, geomorphology and pedology. The purpose of this study was to investigate soil-geomorphic surface relations along an upland-downland toposequence in the region of Humaita, Amazonas State, Brazil. A transect of 4,500 m was studied from the water divide downstream to the flood plain of the Madeira river. The geomorphic surfaces were identified based on the slope rupture, stratigraphic criteria and on other field observations. Trenches were dug in the identified slope segments, the soils were morphologically characterized and samples collected from each horizon. The physical properties particle size distribution, water dispersible clay and flocculation degree, soil and particle density, total porosity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity were determined. Chemical analysis involved pH in water and KCl; exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, Na, and Al; available P, Al + H and organic C; total SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 by sulfuric acid digestion; free iron oxides extracted with dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate and poor crystalline iron oxides with ammonium acid oxalate. The values of ∆pH, silt/clay, Ki and Fed/Fet ratio indicated more weathered soils at the top of the landscape, than along the infiltration slope, convex slope and alluvial footslope, coinciding with the older age of the soils of the geomorphic surface I than of II and III. The soil variations in the studied transect were related to the surface age, parent material and slope gradient. The understanding of the geomorphic events was important to explain the variation of soil properties in the toposequence.

Caracterização e classificação de terras pretas arqueológicas na Região do Médio Rio Madeira

Although several studies have been published about the Archaeological Dark Earths, few of them tried to understand and elucidate questions about the pedogenesis and behavior of these soils. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize and classify Archaeological Dark Earths in four sites, selected in the region of the Middle Madeira River. Four pedons were morphologically characterized and collected for chemical, physical and mineralogical analysis. Physical analysis involved par- ticle size distribution, water dispersible clay, soil bulk and particle density, total porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity. Chemical analysis involved pH in water and KCl, exchangeable cations, exchangeable aluminum, available P, extractable acid- ity (Al+H), organic carbon and, SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 and Fe 2 O 3 extracted with H 2 SO 4 . Free iron oxides were extracted with dithionite- citrate-bicarbonate and poor crystalline iron oxides were extracted using ammonium acid oxalate. Mineralogical analysis of sand, silt and clay fractions were carried out by X-ray diffraction. The studied soils were classified in the Brazilian System of Soil Classification as Red Yellow Argisol, Gray Argisol and Yellow Argisol. The presence of the anthropogenic A horizons with similar chemical properties and depths in all studied sites suggests that similar conditions have influenced their formation. All anthropogenic horizons studied in the region showed high base saturation and high to very high P availability as compared to subjacent horizons. The inclusion of the anthropogenic subgroup in the Brazilian System of Soil Classification was also suggested.

Solos sob vegetação de restinga na Ilha do Cardoso (SP): II - Mineralogia das frações silte e argila

Restinga is a typical vegetation on quartzitic, sandy, nutrient-poor parent materials along the Brazilian coast.. Podzolization is the main pedogenic process in restinga soils and Spodosols and Quartzipsamments with incipient podzolization are the most common soils. Podzolization is frequently studied in cold climate regions, while mineralogical studies of Spodosols in tropical climate on quartzitic parent material are scant. In this work, soils under restinga vegetation on the Ilha do Cardoso-SP, Brazil were studied to identify the mineralogical assembly of silt and clay fractions and to provide a better understanding of their genesis. Quartz and kaolinite are the main minerals in the clay fraction while feldspars and quartz prevail in the silt fraction. This indicates that the mineralogical assembly of the restinga soils on Ilha do Cardoso is poorer than that of soils in colder climates and of other soils along the Brazilian coast. This is mainly due to the parent material which is scarce in easily weatherable primary minerals. In some horizons (2Cgj) smectites were identified; they can be inherited or neoformed, and their genesis is unrelated with podzolization.

Segmentos de vertente e atributos do solo de uma toposseqüência na região de Manicoré, AM

Variations of soil properties are consequence of several factors such as: climate, parent material, vegetation and, particularly relief, which controls runoff and drainage, and has influence in the exposure of parent materials to the weathering action. The objective of this work was to study the influence of the slope segments on soil attributes of a topossenquence in the Manicore region, AM. Twenty samples were collected in each of the several slope segments identified along a 3 km transect, from the top and toward the lower part of the topography. The slope segments and the sampling depths were: high top (0.0-0.19 and 0.37-0.60 m), medium slope (0.0-0.28 and 0.60-0.80 m); lower slope (0.0-0.15 and 0.42-0.71 m) and low top (0.0-0.15 and 0.20-0.40 m). The sampling depths were coincident with the surface and subsurface diagnostic horizons defined in the profile morphological description. Physical analysis involved particle size distribution, soil and particle density, total porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity. In the chemical analysis pH in water and KCl, exchangeable cations, exchangeable Al, available P, H+Al, organic carbon were determined. The use of multivariate statistic techniques enabled the distinction of different soil geomorphic environments independent of the slope segments identifications. The relief variations contributed to the presence of dystrophic soils in the high top and eutrophic soils in the lower slope.

Caracterização de Espodossolos dos Estados da Paraíba e do Pernambuco, Nordeste do Brasil

Studies on Spodosols in tropical coastal tablelands are still scarce. This paper studied such soils on coastal tablelands and a marine sandbank, in the States of Paraiba and Pernambuco, in Northeastern Brazil. Physical, chemical and mineralogical analyses were performed in 14 soil profiles on mostly plain surfaces under sugarcane cultivation. With regard to drainage, most of the profiles were defined as moderate to poorly drained and groundwater was detected at a depth of 182, 85 and 74 cm in three of them. The texture was predominantly sandy, with variations among sand, loamy sand and sandy loam, with clay contents always below 130 g kg-1. Regarding the chemical properties, high acidity, low base saturation, low CEC and high Al3+ saturation were recorded. Some horizons with the colors and hues 10YR and 7.5YR, with values between 5-7 and chromas 2-8 classified as Bs had organic matter levels higher than some horizons classified as Bhs, demonstrating the inadequacy of the color criterion for identification of these cemented horizons. The soil mineralogy showed a predominance of kaolinite and quartz in the clay fraction, with minor amounts of illite, gibbsite, feldspar and anatase. In the tablelands, aside from these minerals goethite was also identified. In the sand fraction, quartz was predominant in all profiles, with traces of feldspar.

Interferências dos pedoambientes nos atributos do solo em uma topossequência de transição Campos/Floresta

The pedoenvironmental conditions promote changes in soil properties, so the aim of this work was to study Interference of the pedoenvironment on soil properties in a topossequence of the Grassland/Forest transition in the Humaita region, AM. Was picked up a topossequence characteristic sequence Grassland/Forest, then a pathway was established, from a field environment to the natural forest environment. These pedoambients were identified and defined as the expression patterns of vegetation. Were collected 20 samples at the representative side of the profiles in each one of the pedoambiental units of the topossequence (top grassland: 0.0-14 and 0.30-0.66 m;low grassland : 0.0-0.15 and 0.27-0.80 m; ecotone zone: 0.0-0.15 and 0.32-0.50 m; forest: 0.0-0.15 m 0.67-100 as a total of 80 samples) being the criteria for sampling depths the coincidence with the surface and subsurface diagnostic horizons determined by the morphological description of the profiles. Were performed physical analysis of texture, clay dispersion and flocculation, soil bulk density and particle porosity and hydraulic conductivity. In the chemical analysis were determined pH in water and KCl, Ca, Mg, K, Na and Al contents, available P, H + Al and organic carbon. The physical and chemical soil were dependent on the pedoambients. With the use of multivariate statistical techniques was possible to distinguish three different environments that are equivalent to three pedoambients.

Assessment of carbon storage under rainforests in Humic Hapludox along a climosequence extending from the Atlantic coast to the highlands of northeastern Brazil

An understanding of the stock of soil organic carbon (SOC) in the umbric epipedon of Oxisols located in the tropical forests surrounded by a semi-arid region is limited but essential because of their importance in the global cycle of carbon (C). The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of climatic (temperature and rainfall), soil organic matter (SOM) composition and litter on the stability of C in surfaces and subsurfaces in five Humic Oxisols along a 475-km climosequence from 143 to 963ma.s.l. in a tropical environment in northeastern Brazil. We assessed vertical changes in SOC; soil total nitrogen (N); C from the microbial biomass; δ(13)C, δ(15)N and the humified composition of SOM; the composition of the humin (HUM) fraction by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR); and Thermogravimetry (TG) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) at depth. The elemental and isotopic composition of the litter samples were analyzed in all areas studied. The results indicated that the current climate and recalcitrant organic compounds are not preponderant factors in the formation of the umbric epipedon, as suggested by the partial influence of temperature and rainfall on SOM. In addition, SOM was dominated by easily decomposable compounds, as indicated by the predominance of aliphatic C-H groups in the HUM fraction in the FTIR spectra; by the thermal oxidation through DSC-TG, which revealed that approximately 50% of the HUM was composed easily decomposable compounds; and by the high proportion of organic C present in the microbial biomass. Values of δ(13)C showed a predominance of C3 plant-C in SOM whereas δ(15)N patterns indicated that N dynamics differ among the profiles and drive the accumulation of C. These findings can help to characterize the susceptibility of these soils to changes in climate and land use and the implications for the sequestration of soil C.