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Cemented Horizons and Hardpans in the Coastal Tablelands of Northeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT

Horizons with varying degrees of cementation are a common feature of the soils from the coastal tablelands of Northeastern Brazil. In most cases, these horizons are represented by the following subsurface horizons: fragipan, duripan, ortstein, and placic. The aims of this study were to analyze differences regarding the development and the degree of expression of cementation in soils from the coastal tablelands of Northeastern Brazil: Planossolo Háplico (p-SX), Espodossolo Humilúvico (p-EK), Espodossolo Ferrihumilúvico (p-ESK), and Argissolo Acinzentado (p-PAC) pedons. The pedons studied displayed features related to drainage impediments. The cemented horizons from p-SX and p-EK had the same designation (Btgm), displaying a duric character that coincided with gleization features and are under podzolized horizons. In the p-ESK, the podzolization process is of such magnitude that it leads to the cementation of its own spodic horizons, which were both of the ortstein type (Bhsx and Bsm). In the p-PAC cementation is observed in two placic horizons and in the Btx/Bt horizon, as well as in the upper parts of the Bt/Btx horizon. Analysis of the micrographies from the cemented horizons showed predominance of a low porosity matrix. Such porosity is relatively greater in the horizons of “x” subscript than in the horizons with duric character. The Fe segregation lines were notable in the cemented horizons from p-EK and p-PAC, which corroborates the presence of placic horizons in such pedons. The preponderance of kaolinite in the clay fraction was widely verified in all the cemented horizons analyzed. Water immersion tests were the criteria adopted to define the duric character of the Btgm horizons from p-SX and p-EK, and in the Bsm horizon from the p-ESK. These tests were also used to confirm field morphology. In most cases, the maximum values of Fe, Al, and Si, determined by different extractions, occurred in positions overlaying the cemented horizons, whether they were spodic or not. The extracts of the aqueous solution displayed a noticeable accumulation of Si in the cemented horizons, except in the p-PAC. The presence of argillans in all cemented horizons allows them to be defined as illuvial, with the exception of the placic horizons, regardless of the presence of podzolization processes. The cemented horizons were preponderantly apedal, with a matrix of little porosity. The Fe, Al, and Si contents extracted by acid ammonium oxalate were effective at highlighting the influence of compounds with a low degree of crystallinity in the morphology of cemented horizons.

fragipan; duric character; podzolization

INTRODUCTION

Horizons with varying degrees of cementation are a common feature of soils from the coastal tablelands of Northeastern Brazil (Araújo Filho, 2003Araújo Filho JC. Horizontes cimentados em Argissolos e Espodossolos dos tabuleiros costeiros e em Neossolos Regolíticos e Planossolos da depressão sertaneja no Nordeste do Brasil [tese]. São Paulo: Universidade de São Paulo; 2003.). In most cases, these horizons are represented by the following subsurface horizons: fragipan, duripan (duric character), ortstein (cemented spodic horizon), and placic (Soil Survey Staff, 1999Soil Survey Staff. Soil survey manual. Washington, DC: USDA; 1999.; Santos et al., 2013Santos HG, Jacomine PKT, Anjos LHC, Oliveira VA, Oliveira JB, Coelho MR, Lumbreras JF, Cunha TJF. Sistema brasileiro de classificação de solos. 3a ed. Rio de Janeiro: Embrapa Solos; 2013.). Moreover, detailed soil maps (1:100,000 or greater) have shown that the geographic expression of such horizons in the coastal tableland soils is greater than that represented on more generalized maps of the region (Araújo Filho et al., 1999Araújo Filho JC, Lopes OF, Oliveira NMB, Nogueira LRQ, Barreto AC. Levantamento de reconhecimento de média intensidade dos solos da região dos tabuleiros costeiros e da baixada litorânea do estado de Sergipe. Rio de Janeiro/Aracaju: Embrapa Solos/Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros; 1999. (Boletim de Pesquisa, 4).; Araújo Filho, 2003Araújo Filho JC. Horizontes cimentados em Argissolos e Espodossolos dos tabuleiros costeiros e em Neossolos Regolíticos e Planossolos da depressão sertaneja no Nordeste do Brasil [tese]. São Paulo: Universidade de São Paulo; 2003.; Curi and Ker, 2004Curi N, Ker JC. Levantamento pedológico de áreas da Aracruz Celulose S.A. nos estados da Bahia, Espírito Santo e Minas Gerais e sua interpretação para o cultivo de eucalipto e para o ambiente em geral. Lavras/Viçosa: UFLA/UFV; 2004.). The cemented horizons usually occur in Argissolos Amarelos (Udults and Ustults), Argissolos Acinzentados (Udults and Ustults), and Espodossolos (Spodosols), but they are also found in Neossolos Quartzarênicos (Quartzipsamments), Planossolos Háplicos (Quartzipsamments), and other soil classes from the Brazilian System of Soil Classification (Santos et al., 2013Santos HG, Jacomine PKT, Anjos LHC, Oliveira VA, Oliveira JB, Coelho MR, Lumbreras JF, Cunha TJF. Sistema brasileiro de classificação de solos. 3a ed. Rio de Janeiro: Embrapa Solos; 2013.). The ortstein is a cemented spodic horizon, which is typically influenced by organometallic complexes. The placic horizon is a thin pan of black to dark-red color, cemented by Fe (or Fe and Mn) and organic matter. This horizon may or may not be associated with the spodic horizon (Soil Survey Staff, 1999Soil Survey Staff. Soil survey manual. Washington, DC: USDA; 1999.; Santos et al., 2013Santos HG, Jacomine PKT, Anjos LHC, Oliveira VA, Oliveira JB, Coelho MR, Lumbreras JF, Cunha TJF. Sistema brasileiro de classificação de solos. 3a ed. Rio de Janeiro: Embrapa Solos; 2013.).

Whether the presence of cementing agents is necessary for a horizon to be diagnosed as a fragipan is still disputed (Aide and Marshaus, 2002Aide M, Marshaus A. Fragipan genesis in two Alfisols in east central Missouri. Soil Sci. 2002;167:453-64. doi:10.1097/00010694-200207000-00004; Weisenborn and Schaetzl, 2005Weisenborn BN, Schaetzl RJ. Range of fragipan expression in some Michigan soils: I. Morphological, micromorphological, and pedogenic characterization. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 2005;69:168-77. doi:10.2136/sssaj2005.0168), or not very relevant (Certini et al., 2007Certini GC, Ugolini FC, Taina I, Bolla G, Corti G, Tescari G. Clues to the genesis of a discontinuously distributed fragipan in the northern Apennines, Italy. Geoderma. 2007;69:161-9. doi:10.1016/j.catena.2006.05.005). The development of fragipans by the compression of particles has been explained by different theories, which are not mutually exclusive: past periglacial conditions (Bryant, 1989Bryant RB. Physical processes of fragipan formation. In: Smeck NE, Ciolkosz EJ, editors. Fragipans: their occurrence, classification, and genesis. Madison: Soil Science Society of America; 1989. p.141-50. (SSSA Special Publication, 24).; Payton, 1992Payton RW. Fragipan formation in argillic brown earths (Fragiudalfs) of the Milfield Plain, north-east England. I. Evidence for a periglacial stage of development. J Soil Sci. 1992;43:621-44. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2389.1992.tb00164.x) and water-driven collapse deposits (Assallay et al., 1998Assallay AM, Jefferson IF, Rogers CDF, Smalley IJ. Fragipan formation in loess soils: development of the Bryant hydroconsolidation hypothesis. Geoderma. 1998;83:1-16. doi:10.1016/S0016-7061(97)00135-3), including the effect of earthquakes in the liquefaction of waterlogged deposits (Green et al., 2005Green RA, Obermeierb SF, Olson SM. Engineering geologic and geotechnical analysis of paleoseismic shaking using liquefaction effects: field examples. Eng Geol. 2005;76:263-93. doi:10.1016/j.enggeo.2004.07.026). Several studies, along with Soil Taxonomy (Soil Survey Staff, 1999Soil Survey Staff. Soil survey manual. Washington, DC: USDA; 1999.), report the relevance of low-crystallinity materials, such as Si, Fe, and Al compounds, regarding expression of two of the most singular properties of a fragic material: breakability under moist conditions, due to sudden rupture of aggregates under pressure (the air is vigorously expelled as the pores are saturated with water); and the soil aggregate slaking after a relatively short time period of water immersion (Norfleet and Karathanasis, 1996Norfleet ML, Karathanasis AD. Some physical and chemical factors contributing to fragipan strength in Kentucky soils. Geoderma. 1996;71:289-301. doi:10.1016/0016-7061(96)00016-X; Duncan and Franzmeier, 1999Duncan MM, Franzmeier DP. Role of free silicon, aluminum, and iron in fragipan formation. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 1999;63:923-9. doi:10.2136/sssaj1999.634923x).

Unlike the concept of the fragipan, which does not require the presence of a quantity of Si that characterizes it as a cementing agent, the duripan is necessarily cemented by a silification process (Norton, 1994Norton LD. Micromorphology of silica cementation in soils. In: Ringrose-Voase AJ, Humphreys GS, editors. Soil micromorphology: studies in management and genesis. Proceedings 9º International Working Meeting on Soil Micromorphology; 1992; Townsville. Amsterdan: Elsevier; 1994. p.811-24.; Schaetzl and Anderson, 2013Schaetzl R, Anderson S. Soils: genesis and geomorphology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2013.). Such a process predominantly occurs in the small pores and in the grain-to-grain contacts, without a total filling of the spaces between grains (Chadwick et al., 1987Chadwick OA, Hendricks DM, Nettleton WD. Silica in duric soils: I. A depositional model. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 1987;51:975-82. doi:10.2136/sssaj1987.03615995005100040028x).

In the coastal tablelands, cemented horizons occur in sandy loam, sandy clay loam, and loamy sand textured soils (their occurrence is uncommon in soils with a texture which approximates sandy clay). They occur in spodic and textural B horizons located in the extensive plateaus with flat relief, mainly when associated with closed depressions (Filizola et al., 2001Filizola HF, Lamotte M, Fritsch E, Boulet R, Araújo Filho JC, Silva FBR, Leprun JC. Os fragipãs e duripãs das depressões dos Tabuleiros Costeiros do Nordeste brasileiro: uma proposta de evolução. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2001;25:947-63. doi:10.1590/S0100-06832001000400018). The associated climate is humid tropical. However, the occurrence of cemented horizons tends to increase in dry summer conditions, on latitudes north of the city of Salvador, BA (Ribeiro, 1998Ribeiro LP. Os Latossolos Amarelos do Recôncavo Baiano: gênese, evolução e degradação. Salvador: Seplantec-CADCT; 1998.).

In order to contribute to understanding the processes that regulate the cementation of pedogenetic horizons in the coastal tablelands of Northeastern Brazil, the aim of this study was to analyze the different development conditions of such horizons, and to evaluate the degree of cementation in these soil materials, which were sampled in four pedons. Expression of the degree of cementation was verified according to field morphology and through immersion of parts of the cemented materials in water, as well as in acid and basic solutions. The soil horizons were characterized through morphological, physical, micromorphological, mineralogical, and chemical properties in order to understand the genesis of these cementations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four pedons from the coastal tablelands were selected: sand/sandy-clay-loam Planossolo Háplico Distrófico espessarênico, dúrico, espódico (p-SX); sand/sandy-clay-loam Espodossolo Humilúvico Órtico dúrico (p-EK); sandy-loam/sandy-clay-loam Argissolo Acinzentado Distrocoeso fragipânico (p-PAC); and sand/sandy-loam Espodossolo Ferrihumilúvico Órtico dúrico, fragipânico (p-ESK), representing different conditions of expression of the cementation processes (Figure 1).

Figure 1
Location of the pedons sampled in the municipalities of Coruripe (AL), Umbaúba (SE), Acajutiba (north of BA), and Nova Viçosa (south of BA). Pedons: SX = sand/sandy clay loam Planossolo Háplico Distrófico espessarênico, dúrico, espódico; EK = sand/sandy clay loam Espodossolo Humilúvico Órtico dúrico; ESK = sand/sandy loam Espodossolo Ferrihumilúvico Órtico dúrico, fragipânico; and PAC = sandy loam/sandy clay loam Argissolo Acinzentado Distrocoeso fragipânico.

Tertiary sediments from the Barreiras Formation compose the parent material of all the pedons analyzed. The sites sampled were located from the shoulders to the summits of the landscape, under flat relief, with 0-1 % slope. The soil drainage ranges from moderate to imperfect.

These sediments are mineralogically homogeneous in the clay fraction (extremely kaolinitic, very little oxidic), yet highly variable in particle size (Resende et al., 2011Resende M, Curi N, Ker JC, Rezende SB. Mineralogia de solos brasileiros: interpretação e aplicações. Lavras: UFLA; 2011.). The areas of Coruripe, Umbaúba, and Acajutiba (p-EK, p-PAC, and p-SX) have a humid tropical climate with dry summers, whereas Nova Viçosa (p-ESK) has a humid tropical climate with no dry season, i.e., the lowest average monthly rainfall is above 60 mm. The coastal tablelands comprise an area of approximately 52,811 km2 within three states (Alagoas, Sergipe, and Bahia) where the pedons were described and sampled (Silva et al., 1993Silva FBR, Riché GR, Tonneu JP, Souza Neto NC, Brito LT, Correia RC, Cavalcanti AC, Silva FHBB, Silva AB, Araújo Filho JC, Leite AP. Zoneamento agroecológico do Nordeste: diagnóstico do quadro natural e agrossocioeconômico. Petrolina: Embrapa-CPATSA/Embrapa-CNPS; 1993. v.2.). The Coruripe site (p-EK) is the only area studied under primary forest (Silva et al., 1993Silva FBR, Riché GR, Tonneu JP, Souza Neto NC, Brito LT, Correia RC, Cavalcanti AC, Silva FHBB, Silva AB, Araújo Filho JC, Leite AP. Zoneamento agroecológico do Nordeste: diagnóstico do quadro natural e agrossocioeconômico. Petrolina: Embrapa-CPATSA/Embrapa-CNPS; 1993. v.2.). The Acajutiba (p-SX) and Nova Viçosa (p-ESK) areas are under areas planted to eucalyptus, whereas the Umbaúba area (p-PAC) is located in an area planted to ‘Pera’ orange.

Soil description, sampling and analysis

Pits were dug for morphological description, sampling the horizons of each pedon, and soil classification, which was complemented by laboratory analysis (Santos et al., 2013Santos HG, Jacomine PKT, Anjos LHC, Oliveira VA, Oliveira JB, Coelho MR, Lumbreras JF, Cunha TJF. Sistema brasileiro de classificação de solos. 3a ed. Rio de Janeiro: Embrapa Solos; 2013.). Undisturbed soil samples were collected in the horizons selected for micromorphological analysis. Duplicates of disturbed soil samples were also collected, and one sample was kept under refrigeration for extraction of the soil solution. Soil clods were collected from the cemented horizons for immersion tests. In such horizons, as well as in other horizons with hard to extremely hard soil consistency, in which Kopecky ring samples of known volume could not be collected, soil clod samples were also gathered for analysis of bulk density (BD). The disturbed and unrefrigerated soil samples were air-dried, crushed, and sieved (2 mm mesh), in order to obtain Air-Dried Fine Earth (ADFE). Clay samples were separated from the ADFE by sedimentation after chemical dispersion (1 mol L-1 NaOH) and were used for X ray diffraction studies (35 kV, 25 mA, and CoKα radiation). Bulk density was determined using the volumetric ring method or the clod method, depending on the sample type (Archer and Smith, 1972Archer JR, Smith PD. The relation between bulk density, available water capacity, and air capacity of soils. J Soil Sci. 1972;23:475-80. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2389.1972.tb01678.x). Particle size distribution was determined according to the pipette method (Gee and Bauder, 1986Gee GW, Bauder JW. Particle-size analysis. In: Klute A, editor. Methods of soil analysis. Physical and mineralogical methods. 2nd ed. Madison: American Society of Agronomy; 1986. Pt 1. p.383-411.) using a NaOH solution as a chemical dispersant; pH was measured in water and KCl; organic C was determined according to the Walkley and Black method (Walkley, 1946Walkley A. A critical examination of a rapid method for determination of organic carbon in soils: effect of variations in digestion conditions and of inorganic soil constituents. Soil Sci. 1946;63:251-63. doi:10.1097/00010694-194704000-00001). Ca, Mg, and Al were determined through KCl extraction (McLean et al., 1958McLean EO, Hedleson MR, Bartlett RJ, Holowaychuk DR. Aluminum in soils: I. Extraction methods and magnitude clays in Ohio soils. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc. 1958;22:382-7. doi:10.2136/sssaj1958.03615995002200050005x); K and Na, through HCl extraction (Mehlich, 1953Mehlich A. Determination of P, Ca, Mg, K, Na and NH4. Raleigh: North Carolina Soil Testing Division; 1953.); H+Al, through a calcium acetate extraction at pH 7 (Shaw, 1959Shaw WM. Determination of exchangeable hydrogen and lime requirement of soils. J Assoc Offic Agric Chem. 1959;34:437-52. doi:10.1080/00103628509367604); and P, through extraction by Mehlich-1 (Mehlich, 1953Mehlich A. Determination of P, Ca, Mg, K, Na and NH4. Raleigh: North Carolina Soil Testing Division; 1953.). Iron and Al contents were determined by atomic absorption, using the ADFE after sieving through a 100 mesh, according to the following extraction processes: dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate (Mehra and Jackson, 1960Mehra OP, Jackson ML. Iron oxide removal from soils and clays by a dithionite-citrate system buffered with sodium bicarbonate. Clay Clay Miner. 1960;7:317-27. doi:10.1346/CCMN.1958.0070122.; Jackson, 1974Jackson ML. Soil chemical analysis advanced course. 2nd ed. Madison: University of Wisconsin; 1974.); acid ammonium oxalate (according to the Tamn method); and sodium pyrophosphate, the last two adapted from Wang (1978)Wang C. Extractable Al, Fe and Mn (and Si if desired). In: Mckeague JA, editor. Manual on soil sampling and methods of analysis. 2nd ed. Ottawa: Canadian Society of Soil Science; 1978. p.98-108.. Silica was determined in acid ammonium oxalate (Wang, 1978Wang C. Extractable Al, Fe and Mn (and Si if desired). In: Mckeague JA, editor. Manual on soil sampling and methods of analysis. 2nd ed. Ottawa: Canadian Society of Soil Science; 1978. p.98-108.) through plasma spectrometry produced by inductive coupling (ICP-AES). Thin sections were prepared from the undisturbed samples for micromorphological characterization (Murphy et al., 1977Murphy CP, Bullock P, Turner RH. The measurement and characterization of voids in soil thin sections by image analysis. Part I. Principles and techniques. J Soil Sci. 1977. 28:498-508. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2389.1977.tb02258.x; Ringrose-Voase, 1991Ringrose-Voase AJ. Micromorphology and soil structure: description, quantification, application. Aust J Soil Res. 1991;29:777-813. doi:10.1071/SR9910777; Castro et al., 2003Castro SS, Cooper M, Santos MC, Vidal-Torrado P. Micromorfologia do solo: bases e aplicações. Tópicos Cienc Solo. 2003;3:107-64.). Images were acquired using a Sony® digital camera (DFW-X700 model) coupled to a Zeis® polarizing petrographic microscope. Interpretations followed the terminology defined by Brewer (1976)Brewer R. Fabric and mineral analysis of soils. New York: R.E. Krieger; 1976., Bullock et al. (1985)Bullock P, Fedoroff N, Jonjerius A, Stoops G, Tursina T. Handbook for soil thin section description. Wolverhampton: Waine Research Publications; 1985., and Lima et al. (1985)Lima PC, Curi N, Lepsh IF. Terminologia de micromorfologia do solo. Bol Inf SBCS. 1985;10:33-43..

The aqueous solution was extracted from the refrigerated samples through shaking, centrifugation, and extract filtering (soil: water ratio of 1:0.5) (Rhoades, 1982Rhoades JD. Soluble salts. In: Page AL, editor. Methods of soil analysis. 2nd ed. Madison: ASA/SSSA; 1982. v.1. p.167-79. (Agronomy Monograph, 9).). The extract was used for determining dissolved organic C in a carbon analyzer, and Fe and Al were determined by atomic absorption. For Si analysis, 5 mL of the aqueous extract was mixed with 0.5 mL of 7.5 % sulphomolybdic acid solution (7.5 g of ammonium molybdate + 10 mL of 9 mol L-1 sulfuric acid completed to 100 mL with distilled water. After a 10 min resting period, 1 mL of a 20 % tartaric acid solution was added, and after a 5 min resting period, 5 mL of 0.3 % ascorbic acid was added. After 1 h, Si was read in a 600 nm wavelength spectrophotometer.

Immersion test of cemented materials in water and in acid and base solutions

Fragments of seven cemented horizons of 0.05 to 0.1 m in size were immersed in water (8 h) and in solutions of HCl (1, 3, and 6 mol L-1; evaluations at 4, 6, 7, and 8 days) and NaOH (1 and 4 mol L-1; evaluations at 4, 6, 7, and 8 days) and were evaluated according to Araújo Filho (2003)Araújo Filho JC. Horizontes cimentados em Argissolos e Espodossolos dos tabuleiros costeiros e em Neossolos Regolíticos e Planossolos da depressão sertaneja no Nordeste do Brasil [tese]. São Paulo: Universidade de São Paulo; 2003..

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Soil morphology and physical properties

All the pedons studied had features which relate to drainage impediments. They are located on predominantly flat relief, with some degree of concavity. Features associated with redoximorphic conditions are present, expressed in pale colors, mottlings, and bands of Fe oxide segregation (Table 1, Figure 2). The cemented and/or hardened horizons (apparently cemented) are located in the lower parts of the sequa, coinciding with illuvial horizons.

Table 1
Morphological properties of the horizons from the studied pedons

Figure 2
Sketch of the horizon sequence in the soil profiles studied (EK = sand/sandy clay loam Espodossolo Humilúvico Órtico dúrico; PAC = sandy loam/sandy clay loam Argissolo Acinzentado Distrocoeso fragipânico; SX = sand/sandy clay loam Planossolo Háplico Distrófico espessarênico, dúrico, espódico; and ESK = sand/sandy loam Espodossolo Ferrihumilúvico Órtico dúrico, fragipânico). Dotted lines represent the material of the placic horizons. Horizons with subscript “x” and “m” represent apparent cementation (fragipan or ortstein) and extreme cementation (duric character, or, concomitantly, an ortstein), respectively.

Of the four soils studied, three had features indicating podzolization in the upper portion of the sequum, with spodic horizons or spodic character beneath the eluvial horizons (Silva et al., 2013Silva EA, Gomes JBV, Araújo Filho JC, Silva CA, Carvalho SA, Curi N. Podzolização em solos de áreas de depressão de topo dos tabuleiros costeiros do Nordeste brasileiro. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2013;37:11-24. doi:10.1590/S0100-06832013000100002). The podzolization process is intense in p-EK and p-ESK and only incipient in the p-SX (not enough to classify it as a Spodosol). The p-PAC presented argilluviation as the main pedogenesis process. The p-SX, p-EK, and p-ESK, which exhibited podzolization, had, below the A horizon, an eluvial E horizon of relatively paler colors in relation to its neighboring horizons, single-grained structure, loose or very friable consistency, and clay contents always below 100 g kg-1 (Tables 1 and 2, and Figure 2).

Table 2
Soil texture and bulk density of the horizons from the studied pedons

The cemented horizons of p-SX and p-EK (identified as Btgm) displayed both duric character and gleying features. These features occurred beneath the horizons with podzolization in each pedon, acting as an impervious layer at the subsurface and favoring the occurrence of podzolization, which is also favored by other conditions, such as flat relief, concave topography, and sandy-quartzous parent material (Oliveira et al., 2010Oliveira AP, Ker JC, Silva IR, Fontes MPF, Oliveira AP, Neves ATG. Spodosols pedogenesis under Barreiras formation and sandbank environments in the south of Bahia. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2010;34:847-60. doi:10.1590/S0100-06832010000300026; Silva et al., 2013Silva EA, Gomes JBV, Araújo Filho JC, Silva CA, Carvalho SA, Curi N. Podzolização em solos de áreas de depressão de topo dos tabuleiros costeiros do Nordeste brasileiro. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2013;37:11-24. doi:10.1590/S0100-06832013000100002). The p-ESK also had flat relief conditions and sandy-quartzous material from p-SX and p-EK, showing, in its lower portion, a C horizon with massive structure and particle size distribution that suggests a lithological discontinuity in relation to the Bsm horizon (Table 2). The podzolization process in p-ESK is of such magnitude that it resulted in cementation of the spodic horizons, both characterized as ortsteins (Bhsx and Bsm), but with a different magnitude of cementation.

The Btgm horizon of the p-EK had thin, cemented, red-colored (10R), and discontinuous plates of a placic horizon within it, which distinguishes it from the Btgm horizon of p-SX, which had only mottles (Table 1).

The p-PAC, a Grayish Argisol, was developed from sediments with quite different clay contents in relation to the other pedons studied (Table 2), and it did not have an eluvial horizon. Cementation occurs in two placic horizons and in the Btx/Bt horizon and is also present in parts of the Bt/Btx horizon. The structure of the non-cemented B horizons (BA1, BA2, Bt, and parts of the Bt/Btx) is typical of Argisols from the coastal tablelands (Ferreira et al., 1999Ferreira MM, Fernandes B, Curi N. Mineralogia da fração argila e estrutura de Latossolos da região Sudeste do Brasil. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 1999;23:507-14. doi:10.1590/S0100-06831999000300003), which are weak, of medium to small size class, subangular, and blocky.

The clay content of the cemented horizons ranged from 90 to 260 g kg-1 (Table 2). Variations in the clay content of these horizons have also been recorded in other studies of coastal tableland soils (Figure 3). However, silt content ranged from 10 to 160 g kg-1 (Table 2). Some of the results found in other studies (Figure 3) showed silt contents that were quite higher, reaching values above 60 %. Considering the pre-weathered parent material of the coastal tableland soils, it is likely that the high values of silt content found in other studies are related to problems of adequate soil dispersion. In the cemented horizons, in addition to the variation in clay contents, the textural gradient also varied greatly between the horizon immediately above and the cemented horizon (Table 2), reaching a maximum in the p-SX (textural gradient between EBh and Btgm of 3.7).

Figure 3
Texture ternary graph of the cemented horizons from this study (•) and from other studies (◊), all in soils of the coastal tablelands (Filizola et al., 2001; Araújo Filho, 2003; Moreau et al., 2006).

The cemented horizons, mainly those with a duric character, had higher values of BD than the overlying horizons (Table 2), corroborating the findings from other studies with soils of the coastal tablelands (Filizola et al., 2001Filizola HF, Lamotte M, Fritsch E, Boulet R, Araújo Filho JC, Silva FBR, Leprun JC. Os fragipãs e duripãs das depressões dos Tabuleiros Costeiros do Nordeste brasileiro: uma proposta de evolução. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2001;25:947-63. doi:10.1590/S0100-06832001000400018; Araújo Filho, 2003Araújo Filho JC. Horizontes cimentados em Argissolos e Espodossolos dos tabuleiros costeiros e em Neossolos Regolíticos e Planossolos da depressão sertaneja no Nordeste do Brasil [tese]. São Paulo: Universidade de São Paulo; 2003.; Moreau et al., 2006Moreau AMSS, Costa LM, Ker JC, Gomes FH. Gênese de horizonte coeso, fragipã e duripã em solos do tabuleiro costeiro do sul da Bahia. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2006;30:1021-30. doi:10.1590/S0100-06832006000600011) and with fragipans formed in glacial deposits (Habecker et al., 1990Habecker MA, Mcsweeney K, Madison FW. Identification and genesis of fragipans in Ochrepts of North Central Wisconsin. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 1990;54:139-46. doi:10.2136/sssaj1990.03615995005400010022x; Weisenborn and Schaetzl, 2005Weisenborn BN, Schaetzl RJ. Range of fragipan expression in some Michigan soils: I. Morphological, micromorphological, and pedogenic characterization. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 2005;69:168-77. doi:10.2136/sssaj2005.0168). The horizons with duric character had the highest values of BD. In the p-PAC, BD values in the BA1 and BA2 horizons (of 1.69 and 1.67 Mg m-3, respectively) were greater than in the horizons with fragic materials (Btx and Bt/Btx, of 1.56 and 1.49 Mg m-3 respectively). These higher BD values in the horizons with cohesive character, as in the BA1 and BA2 horizons of the p-PAC, are typical of soils from the coastal tablelands, regardless of the presence of cemented horizons (Jacomine, 2001Jacomine PKT. Evolução do conhecimento sobre solos coesos no Brasil. In: Cintra LFD, Anjos JL, Ivo WMPM, editores. Workshop Coesão em solos dos tabuleiros costeiros. Aracaju: Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros; 2001. p.19-46.; Araújo Filho, 2003Araújo Filho JC. Horizontes cimentados em Argissolos e Espodossolos dos tabuleiros costeiros e em Neossolos Regolíticos e Planossolos da depressão sertaneja no Nordeste do Brasil [tese]. São Paulo: Universidade de São Paulo; 2003.).

Micromorphological properties

The skeleton of all the cemented horizons is dominated by quartz grains. Analysis of the micrographs from these horizons showed the predominance of a low porosity matrix, in accordance with the BD values (Table 2). Porosity is relatively greater in the horizons with the “x” subscript (the Btx/Bt horizon from p-PAC and the Bhsx horizon from p-ESK) than in the horizons with a duric character (the Btgm horizon from p-SX and p-EK).

The horizons with a duric character had several micromorphological features in common: porphyric distribution, with some portions more open and others more closed; predominance of massive microstructure (apedal features); segregation of Fe oxides; planes pores; and argilluviation features, as seen in the microlamination of the clay coatings (Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c).

Figure 4
Micrographs (under planar polarized light) of selected micromorphological features from Btgm cemented horizons. (a) EK profile: predominance of single-spaced porphyric distribution, with closed porphyric parts (right side, above); low porosity (planes pores); and matrix with segregation of Fe oxides (central part of the photo). (b) EK profile: pore with oriented clay (argilluviation process). (c) SX profile: single-spaced porphyric distribution; segregation of Fe oxides in several parts of the thin section; low porosity (planes pores).

The two horizons with milder cementation (“x” subscript) differed from each other in texture and in the major pedogenetic process type, podzolization in the Bhsh horizon from p-ESK, and argilluviation in the Btx/Bt horizon from p-PAC. The fragipan from p-PAC (Btx/Bt horizon) had both harder and softer portions. In its hardest parts, it had porphyric distribution with simple spaces and distinct lines of Fe oxide segregation, with portions coinciding with limits of voids (Figure 5a). The ortstein from p-ESK (Bhsx horizon) had enaulic distribution with chitonic portions and skeleton (which predominates over the matrix) with strong organic matter coatings (Figures 5b and 5c), in addition to a partial filling of the inter-grain space with microaggregates of fine material rich in organic matter. The fragipans from p-ESK and p-PAC have features common to the fragipans of the northern hemisphere: both have a well-distributed fabric, without pore interruptions; coated pores without fillings are common in the Btx/Bt horizon from p-PAC; and in the Bhsx horizon from p-ESK, bridges between grains are common (Miller et al., 1993Miller MB, Cooper TH, Rust RH. Differentiation of an eluvial fragipan from dense glacial till in Northern Minnesota. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 1993;57:787-96. doi:10.2136/sssaj1993.03615995005700030027x; James et al., 1995James HR, Ransom MD, Miles RJ. Fragipan genesis in polygenetic soils on the Springfield Plateau of Missouri. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 1995;59:151-60. doi:10.2136/sssaj1995.03615995005900010024x; Weisenborn and Schaetzl, 2005Weisenborn BN, Schaetzl RJ. Range of fragipan expression in some Michigan soils: I. Morphological, micromorphological, and pedogenic characterization. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 2005;69:168-77. doi:10.2136/sssaj2005.0168).

Figure 5
Micrographs (under planar polarized light) of selected micromorphological features from cemented horizons with “x” subscript (fragipan and ortstein). (a) PAC profile, Btx/Bt horizon (cemented part) - single-spaced porphyric distribution; vughs pores; and Fe oxides segregation line, including the border of pores. (b) ESK profile, Bhsx horizon - enaulic distribution with chitonic parts; quartz grains with continuous dark coating (organic matter). (c) ESK profile, Bhsx horizon - strong filling of the space between grains with microaggregates of fine material rich in organic matter.

No features indicating silica were found in the micrographs. Observation of micromorphological evidence for silica cementation, even in duripans, can be impeded by the close relationship of silica with ferriargillans and clays of these horizons (Torrent et al., 1980Torrent J, Nettleton WD, Borst G. Genesis of a Typic Durixeralf of Southern California. Soil Sci. Soc Am J. 1980;44:575-82. doi:10.2136/sssaj1980.03615995004400030029x). However, this evidence is commonly described in micrographs and in electron microscopy images of horizons with duripans or with some degree of silica cementation (Chadwick et al., 1987Chadwick OA, Hendricks DM, Nettleton WD. Silica in duric soils: I. A depositional model. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 1987;51:975-82. doi:10.2136/sssaj1987.03615995005100040028x; Boettinger and Southard, 1990Boettinger JL, Southard RJ. Micromorphology and mineralogy of a calcareous duripan formed in granitic residuum, Mojave Desert, California, USA. In: Douglas LA, editor. Soil micromorphology. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 1990. p.409-15.; Creutzberg et al., 1990Creutzberg D, Kauffmani JH, Bridges EM, Del Posso MG. Micromorphology of “Cangahua”: a cemented subsurface horizon in soils from Ecuador. Develop Soil Sci. 1990;19:367-72. doi:10.1016/S0166-2481(08)70349-0; Hollingsworth and Fitzpatrick, 1994Hollingsworth DI, Fitzpatrick RW. Nature and origin of a duripan in a Durixeralf-Duraqualf toposequence: micromorphological aspects. In: Ringrose-Voase AJ, Humphreys GS, editors. Soil micromorphology: studies in management and genesis. In: Proceedings 9º International Working Meeting on Soil Micromorphology; 1992; Townsville. Amsterdan: Elsevier; 1994. p.835-44.; Moody and Graham, 1997Moody LE, Graham RC. Silica-cemented terrace edges, Central California coast. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 1997;61:1723-9. doi:10.2136/sssaj1997.03615995006100060025x; Gutiérrez-Castorena and Effland, 2010Gutiérrez-Castorena MC, Effland WR. Pedogenic and biogenic siliceous features. In: Stoops G, Marcelino V, Mees F. editores. Interpretation of micromorphological features of soils and regoliths. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 2010. p.471-96.).

Iron segregation bands were conspicuous in the cemented horizons from p-EK and p-PAC (Figures 4a and 5a), corroborating the diagnosis of the placic horizons in these pedons (Figure 2 and Table 1). Fe segregation features were found in a lower degree in the micrograph of the Btgm horizon from p-SX (Figure 4c), confirming the mottling identified in the morphological description made in the field (Table 1).

Clay mineralogy

Except in the placic horizons from p-PAC, the clay fraction mineralogy of the cemented horizons studied was widely dominated by kaolinite, in agreement with data from the literature on coastal tableland soils (Moreau et al., 2006Moreau AMSS, Costa LM, Ker JC, Gomes FH. Gênese de horizonte coeso, fragipã e duripã em solos do tabuleiro costeiro do sul da Bahia. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2006;30:1021-30. doi:10.1590/S0100-06832006000600011; Gomes et al., 2008Gomes JBV, Bolfe EL, Curi N, Fontes HR, Barreto AC, Viana RD. Variabilidade espacial de atributos de solos em unidades de manejo em área piloto de produção integrada de coco. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2008;32:2471-82. doi:10.1590/S0100-06832008000600024, 2012Gomes JBV, Araújo Filho JC, Curi N. Solos de tabuleiros costeiros sob florestas naturais e sob cultivo. Pesq Flor Bras. 2012;32:233-46. doi:10.4336/2012.pfb.32.71.233) and also for the cemented horizons which occur there (Filizola et al., 2001Filizola HF, Lamotte M, Fritsch E, Boulet R, Araújo Filho JC, Silva FBR, Leprun JC. Os fragipãs e duripãs das depressões dos Tabuleiros Costeiros do Nordeste brasileiro: uma proposta de evolução. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2001;25:947-63. doi:10.1590/S0100-06832001000400018; Araújo Filho, 2003Araújo Filho JC. Horizontes cimentados em Argissolos e Espodossolos dos tabuleiros costeiros e em Neossolos Regolíticos e Planossolos da depressão sertaneja no Nordeste do Brasil [tese]. São Paulo: Universidade de São Paulo; 2003.; Moreau et al., 2006Moreau AMSS, Costa LM, Ker JC, Gomes FH. Gênese de horizonte coeso, fragipã e duripã em solos do tabuleiro costeiro do sul da Bahia. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2006;30:1021-30. doi:10.1590/S0100-06832006000600011). Both placic horizons from p-PAC had a more complex assemblage, with detection of quartz, kaolinite, goethite, hematite, and ilmenite (Figure 6). In the cemented horizons (except for the placic horizons from p-PAC), a background could be noted in the clay fraction diffractograms, which can be associated with the presence of minerals with a low degree of crystallinity (Klug and Alexander, 1974Klug HP, Alexander, LE. X-ray diffraction procedures. New York: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.; 1974.) and, consequently, with the contents of Fe, Al, and Si extracted by acid ammonium oxalate (Table 3).

Figure 6
X rays diffractograms of clay samples saturated with Na+ from the cemented horizons of the soil profiles studied. An: anatase, Gt: goethite, Hm: hematite, Kt: kaolinite, Qz: quartz, Im: ilmenite.

Table 3
Chemical analyses of the genetic horizons from the soil profiles

Immersion tests of cemented materials in water and in acid and basic solutions

Immersion tests in water were the criterion used to define the duric character in the Btgm horizons from p-SX and p-EK and in the Bsm horizon from p-ESK, and they served to confirm the field soil morphology description (Table 4).

Table 4
Evaluation of crumbling of cemented materials in water and in acid and basic solutions

In the acid solution immersion, the greatest resistance to slaking occurred in the fragments of the Btgm horizon from p-EK and in the Bsm horizon from p-ESK. The fragments of the Btgm horizon from p-EK were the only ones in which the slaking did not occur completely after 8 days of immersion in 4 mol L-1 NaOH solution.

From the immersion tests, the cemented horizons studied exhibited the following descending order regarding their degree of cementation: Btgm - p-EK > Bsm - p-ESK> Btgm - p-SX > deeper placic - p-PAC = shallower placic - p-PAC = Btx/Bt - p-PAC > Bhsx - p-ESK. These results are similar to those observed by Araújo Filho (2003)Araújo Filho JC. Horizontes cimentados em Argissolos e Espodossolos dos tabuleiros costeiros e em Neossolos Regolíticos e Planossolos da depressão sertaneja no Nordeste do Brasil [tese]. São Paulo: Universidade de São Paulo; 2003. in the immersion tests of cemented materials of soils from the coastal tablelands of Alagoas.

pH and contents of Fe, Al, and Si in different extractions and in aqueous solution

The variations of pH were small, between 4.7 and 5.9 for all the horizons and between 4.7 and 5.5 for the cemented horizons (Table 3); pH values were relatively lower in the cemented horizons in relation to the overlying horizons, which differs from the data reported for soils with fragipan in glacial deposits by Miller et al. (1993)Miller MB, Cooper TH, Rust RH. Differentiation of an eluvial fragipan from dense glacial till in Northern Minnesota. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 1993;57:787-96. doi:10.2136/sssaj1993.03615995005700030027x and Weisenborn and Schaetzl (2005)Weisenborn BN, Schaetzl RJ. Range of fragipan expression in some Michigan soils: I. Morphological, micromorphological, and pedogenic characterization. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 2005;69:168-77. doi:10.2136/sssaj2005.0168.

Most often, maximum values of Fe, Al, and Si in the different extractions occurred in the cemented horizons, whether spodic or not. This trend is very clear in p-SX, p-ESK, and p-PAC and quite subtle in p-EK (Table 3). In the aqueous solution extracts, only the values of Si (Sih) showed a noticeable accumulation in the cemented horizons, excluding the fragipan horizon from p-PAC.

It is important to notice that in p-SX, p-EK, and p-ESK, the spodic or transitional to spodic horizons, which are overlying the cemented horizons, are also accumulating Fe and Al, mainly associated with organic matter, which also occurs in the cemented and spodic horizons from p-ESK (Table 3). These results indicate the current condition of the podzolization process in those sites. Not only should the relative accumulation in the cemented horizon be considered, but also the absolute values from the extraction, especially in p-SX, p-EK, and p-ESK formed in sandy-quartzous sediments and with the simultaneous podzolization process. In any case, in the cemented Btgm horizon, p-EK has higher values for Fe and Si in relation to the overlying Bh1and Bh2 horizons, in addition to a significant absolute value of Alo (13.96 g kg-1), very close to the values from Bh1 and Bh2.

The absolute Alo contents were high in all the cemented horizons, while the contents of Feo and Sio were variable; for Feo, contents decreased in the following order: p-ESK > p-PAC > p-EK > p-SX; and for Sio, they decreased in the following order: p-ESK > p-SX > p-PAC > p-EK. Therefore, the results observed reinforce the generalized importance of Al compounds with a low degree of crystallinity in the genesis of ortstein, fragipan, and duripan horizons in coastal tableland soils (Araújo Filho, 2003Araújo Filho JC. Horizontes cimentados em Argissolos e Espodossolos dos tabuleiros costeiros e em Neossolos Regolíticos e Planossolos da depressão sertaneja no Nordeste do Brasil [tese]. São Paulo: Universidade de São Paulo; 2003.; Lima Neto et al., 2010Lima Neto JA, Ribeiro MR, Corrêa MM, Souza JVS, Araújo Filho JC, Lima JFWF. Atributos químicos, mineralógicos e micromorfológicos de horizontes coesos de Latossolos e Argissolos dos tabuleiros costeiros do estado de Alagoas. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2010;34:473-86. doi:10.1590/S0100-06832010000200021; Corrêa et al., 2015)Corrêa MM, Ker JC, Araújo Filho JC, Camêlo DL. Formas de ferro, silício e, ou, alumínio na gênese de fragipãs e horizontes coesos dos tabuleiros costeiros. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2015;39:940-9. doi:10.1590/01000683rbcs20140679. However, they also demonstrate that Fe and Si compounds with a low degree of crystallinity also take part in the process to a varied extent, an aspect which was also pointed out by Corrêa et al. (2015)Corrêa MM, Ker JC, Araújo Filho JC, Camêlo DL. Formas de ferro, silício e, ou, alumínio na gênese de fragipãs e horizontes coesos dos tabuleiros costeiros. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2015;39:940-9. doi:10.1590/01000683rbcs20140679. Some hypothesis can explain the origin of Si acting in the genesis of these horizons: dissolution (by hydrolysis) of kaolinite, which is accelerated by the local redoximorphic conditions, being translocated downwards into the pedon (Duncan and Franzmeier, 1999)Duncan MM, Franzmeier DP. Role of free silicon, aluminum, and iron in fragipan formation. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 1999;63:923-9. doi:10.2136/sssaj1999.634923x; lateral transport, originating from soils (mainly Argissolos Amarelos and Latossolos Amarelos) that occur in the surroundings of the gentle depressions of the landscape (Moreau et al., 2006Moreau AMSS, Costa LM, Ker JC, Gomes FH. Gênese de horizonte coeso, fragipã e duripã em solos do tabuleiro costeiro do sul da Bahia. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2006;30:1021-30. doi:10.1590/S0100-06832006000600011; Oliveira et al., 2010)Oliveira AP, Ker JC, Silva IR, Fontes MPF, Oliveira AP, Neves ATG. Spodosols pedogenesis under Barreiras formation and sandbank environments in the south of Bahia. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2010;34:847-60. doi:10.1590/S0100-06832010000300026; and weathering of very small size quartz (Resende et al., 1988)Resende M, Curi N, Santana DP. Pedologia e fertilidade do solo: interações e aplicações. Piracicaba: MEC/ESAL/Potafós; 1988..

Processes of formation of cemented horizons

Three conditions favor or are even required for the development of pans and/or other cementations in soils from the Brazilian coastal tablelands, and they have already been discussed in previous studies (Boulet et al., 1998Boulet R, Fritsch E, Filizola HF, Araújo Filho JC, Leprun JC, Barreto F, Balan E, Tessier D. Iron bands, fragipans and duripans in the northeastern plateaus of Brazil - properties and genesis. Can J Soil Sci. 1998;78:519-30.; Filizola et al., 2001Filizola HF, Lamotte M, Fritsch E, Boulet R, Araújo Filho JC, Silva FBR, Leprun JC. Os fragipãs e duripãs das depressões dos Tabuleiros Costeiros do Nordeste brasileiro: uma proposta de evolução. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2001;25:947-63. doi:10.1590/S0100-06832001000400018; Moreau et al., 2006Moreau AMSS, Costa LM, Ker JC, Gomes FH. Gênese de horizonte coeso, fragipã e duripã em solos do tabuleiro costeiro do sul da Bahia. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2006;30:1021-30. doi:10.1590/S0100-06832006000600011): flat or almost flat relief, with a tendency to form depressions; a water regime with seasonal periods of water excess in the pedon (redoximorphic conditions); and a sedimentary substrate with low clay contents (or the relief and the water regime conditions favor kaolinite hydrolysis). The well-defined dry period seems to increase the incidence or degree of the pans/cementations in these ecosystems. In the case of coastal tablelands under forest vegetation,(in which a shrub-like vegetation, known locally as “restinga”, can also occur), the dry season often coincides with the summer and repeats one of the conditions stated by Franzmeier et al. (1989)Franzmeier DP, Norton LD, Steinhardt GC. Fragipan formation in loess of the midwestern United States. In: Smeck NE, Ciolkosz EJ, editors. Fragipans: their occurrence, classification, and genesis. Madison: Soil Science Society of America; 1989. p.69-97. as favorable to the formation process of fragipans in the mid-western United States. Podzolization can occur, favored by cementation in the lower parts of the pedons, or it can also be simultaneous, with the spodic horizon being cemented (Silva et al., 2012Silva EA, Gomes JBV, Araújo Filho JC, Vidal-Torrado P, Cooper M, Curi N. Morphology, mineralogy and micromorphology of soils associated to summit depressions of the Northeastern Brazilian coastal plains. Cienc Agrotec. 2012;36:507-17. doi:10.1590/S1413-70542012000500003). The redoximorphic conditions cause strong dissolution and migration of Fe oxides, often forming iron bands. Soil development in sedimentary deposits with higher clay contents tends to decrease the effectiveness of the cementation process by compounds with a low degree of crystallinity in two ways: through the larger surface area of the sediment to be cemented and through the greater occurrence of expansion and contraction events (Smeck et al., 1989Smeck NE, Thompson ML, Norton LD, Shipitalo MJ. Weathering discontinuities: a key to fragipan formation. In: Smeck NE, Ciolkosz EJ, editors. Fragipans: their occurrence, classification, and genesis. Madison: Soil Science Society of America; 1989. p.99-112.).

Opposing some studies about fragipans developed under periglacial conditions (Payton, 1992Payton RW. Fragipan formation in argillic brown earths (Fragiudalfs) of the Milfield Plain, north-east England. I. Evidence for a periglacial stage of development. J Soil Sci. 1992;43:621-44. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2389.1992.tb00164.x, 1993Payton RW. Fragipan formation in argillic brown earths (Fragiudalfs) of the Milfield Plain, north-east England. II. Post Devensian developmental processes and the origin of fragipan consistence. J Soil Sci. 1993;44:703-23. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2389.1993.tb02334.x; Weisenborn and Schaetzl, 2005Weisenborn BN, Schaetzl RJ. Range of fragipan expression in some Michigan soils: I. Morphological, micromorphological, and pedogenic characterization. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 2005;69:168-77. doi:10.2136/sssaj2005.0168), the values of Fe, Al, and Si obtained in this study from different extractions increased in the fragipan (p-PAC) in relation to the horizon overlying it. Some micromorphologial features are common to these soil profiles, such as the constant presence of coated and unfilled pores, ferri-argillans, and matrix with intense Fe diffusion resulting from redoximorphic conditions, which form the placic horizons.

The p-SX and p-EK exhibited a horizon with duric and gleyed characters. In these horizons, pale colors and argilluviation cutans predominated, and Fe diffusion zones were common (Figure 4). In the p-EK, as well as in the p-PAC, these Fe diffusion zones constituted Fe segregation lines, which are in fact pieces of the placic horizon. In the horizons with a duric character from both profiles, the cementing action of Al (formed with a low degree of crystallinity) and, to a lesser extent, of Si, was evident (Table 3). Horizons with some degree of podzolization occurred, overlaying the horizons with duric character.

In p-ESK, the massive structure (coherent) horizon 2C must have favored podzolization, and this process culminated in the formation of cemented spodic horizons (ortsteins). The deepest spodic horizon of this pedon still has a duric character. The values from different extractions of Fe, Al, and Si in these horizons indicate the occurrence of both the podzolization and cementation process (Table 3).

Practical Applications

The pans and the other forms of cementation in the four pedons studied were found below the cultivated soil layer (Table 1). Therefore, the soil limitations which can be associated with these features will generally be related to seasonal water excess. The extent of the limitation caused by water excess (oxygen deficiency) in the soil will depend on the degree of cementation, the depth of the cemented horizon, and the relief.

The p-EK site is located in a gentle depression, under forest vegetation, and with a seasonal water excess that is strong enough to restrict agricultural use in the area. The combination of a strong degree of cementation (duric character) with the small depth of the cemented horizon (0.95 m) and the flat and concave topography imposes a greater oxygen deficiency restriction (water excess) on the p-EK in comparison to the other soils studied, regardless of the fact that the primary vegetation found in the area is protected by law. In most cases, soils with a subsurface pan layer that are located on closed depressions, or on depressions associated with headwaters, are restricted from any agricultural activity, either by law or by suitability.

The p-SX and p-ESK are cultivated with eucalyptus. The presence of diffuse mottles in the EA1 and EA2 horizons of p-SX indicates a slight seasonal water excess during the rainy season. The aspect of the area planted to eucalyptus during the survey period and the greater depth of the Btgm cemented horizon (which starts at 1.75 m) indicate that limitations associated with water excess are only moderate in the area. Given that the soil texture is sandy up to the depth of the Btgm horizon, agricultural restriction of the p-SX is mostly linked to water deficiency in the soil. This restriction is attenuated by the water conservation environment provided by the system, due to flat relief and the presence of the cemented horizon, especially for forests (such as the areas planted to eucalyptus), which have a deep root system. In comparison to the p-SX, the p-ESK has the disadvantage of a shallower cemented horizon, located at a depth of 0.54 cm. Therefore, the latter pedon may induce antagonistic forms of plant stress due to water excess or water deficiency, depending on the annual rainfall distribution. During the period under study, the areas planted to eucalyptus in the p-ESK area displayed gaps and nonuniform development.

The p-PAC has two main differences in relation to the other soils studied: a clayier texture on the whole soil profile and a lighter degree of cementation (placic horizons and fragipan, both discontinuous). The area is located in an area planted to ‘Pera’ orange, and the plants are in the adult phase. Flat relief combined with the presence of subsurface obstructive layers generates an environment which tends to conserve soil moisture, particularly considering the clayier texture starting from the soil surface. The yield and the quality of the area planted to ‘Pera’ orange in the region are limited by intense water deficit during the summer, typical of the local climate. However, seasonal water excess also leads to plant anoxia, with the placic and fragipan (Btx) horizons beginning at a depth of 0.66 m.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of argillans in all the cemented horizons, regardless of the presence of podzolization (in the case of the ortstein horizons), makes it possible to classify such horizons as illuvial.

The cemented horizons are predominantly apedal and have a slightly porous matrix.

Kaolinite dominates the mineralogy of the clay fraction of all the horizons of the soil profiles studied.

The extractions of metals and Si, predominantly by acid ammonium oxalate, were effective at highlighting the influence of low crystallinity compounds in the morphology of the cemented horizons, especially the Al compounds. Although highly variable in absolute terms, the values obtained by acid ammonium oxalate extraction and, partially, in the aqueous solution showed that Si tends to accumulate in the cemented horizons rather than in the overlying horizons. The Fe from the different extractions tends to accumulate in a distinct manner in the cemented soil horizons.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are thankful for financial support from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), process number 472370/2006-5; and from Embrapa, Macroprogram 2 (02.05.1.16 and 02.12.01.036).

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    2017

History

  • Received
    24 Nov 2015
  • Accepted
    12 July 2016
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