Hydro-physical characterization and physical fractionation of organic matter in soil horizon with anthropic horizon

Author(s)

Sâmala Glícia Carneiro Silva

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2016-07-15

Examining board members

Paulo Leonel Libardi; Raquel Stucchi Boschi; Isabella Clerici De Maria; Sergio Oliveira Moraes; Tatiana Francischinelli Rittl

• Advisor: Alvaro Pires da Silva

Abstract

In recent years the interest in the study of Terra Preta de Indio or Amazonian Dark Earths (TPI) has increased, especially because of its unique characteristics when related to typical soils of the region, as its higher natural fertility. Several studies have reported that the presence of so-called pyrogenic carbon in its composition is responsible for this superiority, however it is not known if it affects the physical properties of TPI soils. This research aims to compare the behavior of physical and hydraulic properties of anthropic soils (Terra Preta de Indio) to an adjacent soil by determining its physical properties, and evaluating the distribution of the pyrogenic carbon between the different compartments of organic matter for both soils. For this study, undisturbed soil samples were collected in volumetric cylinders and blocks from a TPI and adjacent area. The areas are located in Caxiuanã National Forest, state of Pará, Brazil. The analyzed physical properties were texture, porosity, macro and microporosity, soil water retention curve, soil saturated hydraulic conductivity, soil permeability to air and aggregate stability. A physical fractionation was performed to verify the behavior of organic matter, which analyzed the distribution of the total and pyrogenic carbon in the different fractions of organic matter. There were difference in the two areas regarding the physical properties as total porosity, macro and microporosity, soil hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), air permeability to soil (Ka), and soil water retention, however it was not possible to see differences in stability aggregates between the two areas. The distribution of organic matter in different soil fractions was different in the two areas, where it was found that in the TPI area, soil carbon was prevalent in the macroaggregates fraction, while the adjacent area had larger amounts in the microaggregates fraction. The values for pyrogenic carbon were higher in the TPI area, showing that the organic matter of TPIs has a different composition which modifies the behavior of physical properties in the soil. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/06542-7 - PHYSICAL-HYDRIC AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SOILS WITH ANTHROPIC HORIZONS IN CAXIUANÃ/PA
• Grantee: Sâmala Glícia Carneiro Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate