ABSTRACT Soils in the Brazilian Pantanal classified as Espodossolos and registered in the literature diverge from the central concept of pedogenesis by podzolization, especially due to the high values of pH and basic cations, although the morphology is similar to that of spodic horizons. In this sense, this study hypothesized that the neutral to alkaline conditions along the edges of the saline basins in the Lower Nhecolândia region do not inhibit the podzolization process nor the development of spodic soils. […]

ABSTRACT The classification of Spodosols on the second categorical level (suborder), according to the Brazilian Soil Classification System (SiBCS), is done by observing the colors of genetic horizons in the field. The presence or absence of iron oxides is the main factor for this classification, and the color of the horizon is the criterion currently adopted. However, the simple observation of color in the field can be mistaken and cause an error in the definition of the second categorical level. […]

ABSTRACT The term Post-Barreiras is a definition for sediments above the deposits of the Barreiras Formation, and the genesis of soils in these environments must be related to sedimentary deposition. Our objective was to apply multi-technique analyses to characterize the sediments and soils to understand pedogenesis in these environments. We analysed sedimentological parameters and the geochronology of sediments. Morphological, chemical, and mineralogical analyses allowed the characterization of the soil. Also, these data supported the analysis of lithological discontinuity. We considered […]

ABSTRACT Horizons with varying degrees of cementation are a common feature of the soils from the coastal tablelands of Northeastern Brazil. In most cases, these horizons are represented by the following subsurface horizons: fragipan, duripan, ortstein, and placic. The aims of this study were to analyze differences regarding the development and the degree of expression of cementation in soils from the coastal tablelands of Northeastern Brazil: Planossolo Háplico (p-SX), Espodossolo Humilúvico (p-EK), Espodossolo Ferrihumilúvico (p-ESK), and Argissolo Acinzentado (p-PAC) pedons. […]

Restinga is a term currently used for the vegetation on the poor and sandy soils of the coastal plains of Brazil. The soils of these environments have been poorly studied. The counties Cananéia, Ilha Comprida and Bertioga were selected for this research due to the representativeness of the environmental conditions of the state of São Paulo. In these environments 31 soil profiles were described and sampled, many of them in chronosequences. The samples were characterized chemically and analytical evidence converged […]

Aluminum in complexes with soil organic matter is usually determined by selective extraction techniques. A common extractant for this Al form is sodium pyrophosphate. Due to its lack of selectivity for some soil samples, unbuffered Al extractants, such as CuCl2 and LaCl3, have been recommended. The selectivity of sodium pyrophosphate (Alp) and of unbuffered Cu (AlCu) and La (AlLa) chlorides to extract aluminum bound to soil organic matter (Al-humus) was evaluated in soil samples from 31 pedons (Spodosols and Quartzipsamments) […]

In spite of modern and sophisticated techniques, procedures of selective dissolution are still of considerable value for soil characterization and to the understanding of the pedogenetic process, especially environments and soils poorly studied, as the coastal plain regions and Spodosols of Brazil. The application of these techniques commonly used for characterization of spodic horizons and soil profiles for large amount horizons and soils studied in cronossequences are rare for those environments and become possible to establish comparisons with those intensively […]

This paper presents the results of morphological properties and absolute dating by luminescence and 14C of 28 pedons from Quaternary marine deposits located in three counties along the coast in São Paulo State, Brazil: Bertioga, Cananéia, and Ilha Comprida. The objective was to provide evidence to elucidate the main processes of the genesis of Spodosols. This approach, which is unusual in research concerned with Brazilian Quaternary coastal plains, resulted in the following interpretations: (a) relief, hydrologic conditions and time were […]

Dark subsurface horizons, with properties similar to the sombric horizon characterized by the USA Soil Taxonomy, are frequent in Southern Brazil. The genesis of this horizon is controversial and poorly understood. This study aimed to describe the occurrence of sombric-like horizons in Ultisols in the South of Santa Catarina State, at low altitudes, and suggest possible processes of humus transference, accumulation and persistence in these horizons. Physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of four Ultisols were evaluated; three were sampled in […]

Restinga is a typical vegetation on quartzitic, sandy, nutrient-poor parent materials along the Brazilian coast. Soils under restinga vegetation on the Ilha do Cardoso (SP) were studied to understand their genesis and to improve the Brazilian Soil Classification System (SiBCS). Thus, a physical, chemical and detailed morphological characterization was carried out. The results evidenced aquic, sandy, very acid soils with variable organic matter content, in which podzolization is the main pedogenic process. Sulphidric materials also occur due to the influence […]