Spodosols under grass fields in midst of the atlantic forest in Linhares, ES: a sedimentologic-pedologic approach, with emphasis on heavy minerals

• Grant number: 12/05731-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2012
• End date: April 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal Investigator: Paulo César Fonseca Giannini
• Grantee: Fernanda Costa Gonçalves Rodrigues
• Host Institution: Instituto de Geociências (IGC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 11/00995-7 - Interdisciplinary paleoenvironmental studies in the Espirito Santo State coast, AP.PFPMCG.TEM

Abstract

This project aims to study the spatial distribution, structure, texture, mineralogy, and origin of the Spodosols that occur in the Barreiras Formation and under grass vegetation ("Campos nativos"), in midst of the Atlantic Forest preserved in the Linhares natural reserves (northeast of Espírito Santo state, southeast Brazil). The Spodosols - grass vegetation occurs as patches up to 500m wide, surrounded by Ultisols under typical Atlantic Forest. The approach proposed for their study is the integration between sedimentologic methods, such as grain-size and heavy minerals analysis, and methods typical of pedological research, like the geochemical, isotopic, and micromorphological analysis. The focus of the analysis of the heavy mineral will emphasize the quantitative variation of the assemblage and the textural indications of a chemical dissolution, along with vertical soil profiles. It will provide an opportunity to evaluate and discuss the weathering effects on the in loco destruction of chemically unstable heavy minerals, as well their implications on the clay and solute generation, an important factor of pedogenesis.(AU)