Six soil profiles were selected in a drained lowland área at Coruripe sugarmill aiming to study chemical properties of acid sulfate soils occurring in the fluvial plain of the Coruripe river valley, Alagoas State, Brazil. The soils were morphologically characterized and samples were taken from each horizon to determine chemical properties of soil and saturation extract, using dry and wet samples (field conditions). A greenhouse liming experiment was carried out with compound samples collected at the sites of two selected profiles at depths of 0-20 and 20-40cm. The results showed that the greatest development of sulfuric horizons was related to the highest values of organic matter. The drying procedures of the samples in laboratory resulted in sulfide oxidation and sulfuric acid formation, changing soil natural field conditions. The electrical conductivity is not necessarily an indication of salinity, and can be related to the formation of sulfuric acid. The specific chemical properties observed in this study suggest research in sampling and analytical methods for these soils. According to the liming experiment 11 to 25 t ha-1 of CaCO3 were necessary to neutralize surface exchangeable aluminum. The drainage system control, in order to maintain a high water table, was considered to be the best management practice for sugarcane cropping in these lowland soils.
Gleisols; Organosols; sulfuric horizon; sugarcane; lowlands