ABSTRACT Throughout the Amazon region, dark-colored soils with increased fertility are identified and referred as Amazonian Dark Earths (ADE). These unique soils are characterized by an anthropic surface horizon with dark colors, presence of charcoal and artifacts, in contrast with surrounding non-ADE soils. The ADEs show extraordinary properties such as the capacity of maintaining the dark colors and high nutrient levels after years of farming, even under the highly favorable climatic conditions for oxidation of organic matter and weathering of […]

Among the soils in the Mato Grosso do Sul, stand out in the Pantanal biome, the Spodosols. Despite being recorded in considerable extensions, few studies aiming to characterize and classify these soils were performed. The purpose of this study was to characterize and classify soils in three areas of two physiographic types in the Taquari river basin: bay and flooded fields. Two trenches were opened in the bay area (P1 and P2) and two in the flooded field (P3 and […]

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 Aquidauana geological formation consists of a set of up to 500 m thick sediments predominantly composed of sandstone with fine to medium grain size, interspersed with sandy conglomerates. In this environment, the topography is one of the main conditioning factors of the formation of different soil types in the landscape. The objective of this study was to characterize and classify soils developed from these sandstones. Four soils profiles along a representative toposequence of gentle slopes were sampled and studied. The […]

On the main island of the Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, the dry tropical climate with oceanic influence and the parent material of volcanic origin are responsible for low soil weathering. The peculiar conditions are of particular scientific interest with a view to the improvement of the Brazilian Soil Classification System (SiBCS). For this purpose, the morphological, physical, chemical and mineralogical attributes of seven representative soil profiles (two Lithic Neosols, one “Saprolithic” Neosol, three Regolithic Neosols and one Fluvic Neosol) […]

The objective of the study was to characterize and classify four Plintosols (Ultisols and Entisols with plinthite) in Pinheiro county, Maranhão state (Brazil), to validate the new classes proposed in the Brazilian System of Soil Classification (SiBCS). Four pedons were selected in different hill slope positions: shoulder, backslope, footslope, and toeslope. The parent material consisted of ferruginous sandstone of the Itapecuru Formation and colluvial and alluvial sediments. Soil profiles were morphologically described and each horizon analyzed for physical, chemical and […]

The objective of this work was to characterize and classify Cambisols of the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago to test and improve the Brazilian System of Soil Classificaton (SiBCS). For this ecological complex of touristic importance, information on soil characteristics and landscape distribution is essential to plan the land use and government actions focusing on sustainable land use. Based on a Detailed Soil Survey of the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, six representative Cambisol profiles were morphologically characterized and samples were collected […]

This work aimed at creating an educational project with elementary school students from the São Miguel community in Esperança county, state of Paraiba, Brazil. We encouraged the children to think about the importance of soil in their life, and also tried to use a pedologic terminology adapted to the students’ everyday language. The applied methodology followed Paulo Freire’s approach, which extrapolates the school context from the classroom and tries to reach out for as many people in the community as […]

Six soil profiles were selected in a drained lowland area at Coruripe Sugarmill, aiming to characterize acid sulfate soils occurring in the lowplain of the Coruripe River Valley, in the coastal humid zone of the state of Alagoas. The soils were morphologically characterized, and samples were taken from each horizon to determine particle size distribution, bulk and particle density, total porosity, pH (H2O and KCl), organic matter, exchangeable bases and CEC, soluble sulfate and electrical conductivity of the saturation extract. […]