Parent materials influence in the formation of vertical textural differentiation in humid tropical landscapes

Author(s)

Pereira, Marcos Gervasio ; de Oliveira, Fabio Soares ; da Silva, Rafael Cipriano ; Pinheiro Jr, Carlos Roberto ; Neto, Eduardo Carvalho da Silva ; de Souza, Jose Joao Lelis Leal ; Schiavo, Jolimar Antonio ; Oliveira, Naelmo de Souza ; do Nascimento, Carlos Wagner Rodrigues

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CATENA; v. 242, p. 15-pg., 2024-05-28.

Abstract

Soil formation processes often attribute significant differences in clay content between surface and subsurface horizons to climate conditions, overlooking the contribution of parent materials. This study aimed to analyze soil profiles exhibiting textural gradients formed on distinct parent materials to assess the role of lithological diversity in pedogenesis. Two soil catenas, one on magnetite quartzite and the other on biotite gneiss, were examined, each with profiles distributed across summit, backslope, and footslope positions. Profiles underwent morphological description and physical, chemical, mineralogical, and micromorphological characterizations. Catena C1, developed on magnetite quartzite, exhibited lower base contents and clay proportions compared to Catena C2. Relief played a significant role in C1, where the absence of covering pedofeatures and clay infilling in subsurface horizons indicated elutriation as the primary process shaping the textural gradient. Conversely, C2, formed on biotite gneiss with amphibolite intercalations, featured predominantly clayey textures, reddish colors, and higher base contents. Here, the presence of well -developed peds facilitated water infiltration and clay translocation, with evidence of illuvial clay through shiny ped faces and clay coatings or infillings. Parent materials influenced soil formation differently, leading to distinctions in morphological, physical, chemical, and micromorphological attributes. The textural gradient in the magnetite quartzite catena primarily resulted from elutriation processes, while in the biotite gneiss catena, it was associated with eluviation and illuviation processes. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/11337-8 - Effect of land use change and sugarcane management practices on soil C, soil health and associated ecosystem services: an evidence synthesis
• Grantee: Carlos Roberto Pinheiro Junior
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral