Systematic studies on of soil formation factors are relatively scarce in Brazil since comprehensive samplings of a variable factor while keeping others constant are difficult to perform. Near Lavras, Minas Gerais, there is wide geological diversity over a small area, which offers a chance to assess the control exerted by different lithologies on mineral suites and other soil properties. Thus, eight soils overlying quartzite, mica-schist, gabbro, itabirite, serpentinite, meta-limestone, gneiss and phyllite, under similar climate and tropical, semideciduous forest conditions […]

The soil distribution model of the landscape of the Distrito Federal (DF) is influenced by the geomorphological partitioning and geological substrate. The in-depth understanding of pedoforms helps in detailed or semi-detailed soil surveys and mapping of a region. The available pedological mapping of the DF, established in 1978, scale 1:100.00, is still the main source of pedological information of the DF, however, often it cannot meet the needs of the various soil studies, due to the low scale. Thus, the […]

Tropical landscapes are characterized by complex surface mantles which carry the marks of processes that took place during previous geological periods. However, it is common for vertical layers in the landscape to show morphological characteristics apparently homogeneous, thus hampering the identification of the nature of the source material of their strata. The objective of this study was to analyze the regolith (solum + saprolite) formation from granite of the Xingu Complex in a small watershed covered with Amazonian forest, based […]

In view of the size of the Amazon region and the need to establish connections between landscape and soil characteristics, the aim of this study was to investigate soil-landscape relationships in a toposequence on granite substrate in Santo. Antônio Matupi, Manicoré, AM. The study was carried out along a transect of 3,000 m from the top downwards, where different slope segments were identified. Profile pits were opened in each slope segment, the soils were morphologically characterized and samples collected from […]

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 […]

Soil mineralogy is an important tool to study and understand soil genesis and soil physical and chemical behavior. Furthermore, soil mineralogy is used as diagnostic criterion to define soil classes in the Brazilian System of Soil Classification and provides information on the potential soil mineral reserve of plant nutrients. In this context, this study presents the mineralogical characterization of gravel, fine and coarse sand fractions (under a binocular lens and petrographic microscope), and of the silt and clay fractions (by […]

In northern and western landscapes of São Paulo State, plinthite and petroplinthite are features observed commonly above the cretaceous Adamantina Formation sandstones (Bauru Group). Two representative soil profiles with plinthic, petroplinthic and mottling features were selected in the local landscape to evaluate the mineralogical characteristics and to study their formation. The study was carried out at the foot of a mountainside in the Experimental Station Pindorama of the Agronomic Institute Campinas (IAC), in the north of São Paulo State, Brazil. […]

The Guaratuba watershed is located at the “Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar” and has its headwaters in the Atlantic plateau. The area has a gneissic bedrock in a parallel hilly relief with high slope gradient, covered by the Atlantic forest consisting mostly of low size trees. The climate is humid tropical with rainfall of 2,000 mm year-1, with no dry season. The predominant soils are Red Yellow Argisol (Typic Kandiudults or Paleudults and Typic or Lithic Hapludults) and Haplic […]

Nine profiles were studied along a toposequence developed on Barreiras Group sediments, in Fazenda Rio Negro, Entre Rios, Bahia, Brazil. Besides conventional analysis, an electromagnetic probe through GPR – Ground-Penetrating Radar was employed. The objective of this study was to analyze the use of this tool in the acquisition of information on features occurring underground, by comparing the radargrams and pedologic descriptions obtained in the area. The equipment used was a Geophysical Survey model, with an 80 MHz antenna. The […]

The state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is characterized by three main geomorphologic formations, the landform constituted by crystalline rocks, exposed or covered by their alteration products; coastal tablelands, formed by Barreiras Formation Tertiary sediments; and alluvial floodplain sediments of Quaternary age. Differences between parent material and topography and their influence on soil genesis have been the main subject of studies in Rio de Janeiro. The objective of this study was to analyze the behavior of extractable forms of iron, […]