The dynamics and properties of soil organic matter (SOM) in mineral soils have been studied for many years. However, under tropical conditions, few studies involve organic soils, the characterization of humic substances (HS), or their relationship with chemical properties related to the agricultural potential of Histosols. The objectives of this study were to characterize chemical properties of Histosols in different Brazilian regions; to quantify soil organic carbon and carbon in the SOM fractions; and to evaluate possible relationships between organic carbon content and soil chemical properties in each environment. The chemical properties were measured and carbon was quantified in the soil samples and the SOM fractions (fulvic acid - C-FAF, humic acid - C-HAF, humin - C-HUM). The ratios C-HAF/C-FAF, C-EA/C-HUM, where C-EA (carbon of the alkaline extract) is equal to the sum of C-FAF+C-HAF, were also evaluated. The acidity of the Histosols was high, base saturation below 50 %, and the cation exchange capacity (CEC) high, although the Ca and Mg levels and sum of bases were high in most profiles. The humic fractions were significantly correlated with different soil properties, such as C-HAF and also C-HUM with N, H+, and CEC. The C-HUM and C-HAF predominated over C-FAF. The C-HAF/C-FAF ratio was reduced in the surface layer of Histosols under intense agricultural use or frequent vegetation burning; the SOM, C-HUM and C-HAF contents were also reduced. The chemical properties and C content in the humic substances reflected the transformation degree of SOM and the changes caused by agricultural use, indicating the vulnerability of Histosols.
Organic soils; hydromorphic soils; histic epipedon; soil organic matter fractions
