Nonlinear models for soil moisture sensor calibration in tropical mountainous soils

Electromagnetic sensors are widely used to monitor soil water content (θ); however, site-specific calibrations are necessary for accurate measurements. This study compares regression models used for calibration of soil moisture sensors and investigates the relation between soil attributes and the adjusted parameters of the specific calibration equations. Undisturbed soil samples were collected in the A and B horizons of two Ultisols and two Inceptisols from the Mantiqueira Range in Southeastern Brazil. After saturation, the Theta Probe ML2X was used to obtain the soil dielectric constant (ε). Several readings were made, ranging from saturation to oven-dry. After each reading, the samples were weighted to calculate θ (m³ m-³). Fourteen regression models (linear, linearized, and nonlinear) were adjusted to the calibration data and checked for their residue distribution. Only the exponential model with three parameters met the regression assumptions regarding residue distribution. The stepwise regression was used to obtain multiple linear equations to estimate the adjusted parameters of the calibration model from soil attributes, with silt and clay contents providing the best relations. Both the specific and the general calibrations performed well, with RMSE values of 0.02 and 0.03 m³ m-³, respectively. Manufacturer calibration and equations from the literature were much less accurate, reinforcing the need to develop specific calibrations.

Adsorption and desorption of arsenic and its immobilization in soils

Arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring chemical element considered toxic and carcinogenic by health and environmental protection agencies. Studies of As adsorption/desorption behavior in soils are important to predictions of As’ potential mobility in natural systems. The aim of this study was to assess the adsorption of As(V) in soils from Minas Gerais, Brazil, and determine its immobilization rate in order to identify soils with characteristics more favorable to its deployment as an As geochemical barrier. The adsorption experiment was performed using different As concentrations and the data pertaining to the maximum adsorption capacity of As(V) (MACAs) were determined by Langmuir and Freundlich isoterms. The Oxisols, due to their more oxidic mineralogy, especially more gibbsitic, and clayey texture, showed the highest MACAs, followed by Ultisols, Inceptisols, and Entisols. In terms of the desorption of As the Inceptisols were the soils that showed the most As desorption. Both As desorption and mobility was lower in the more oxidic and clayey soils. In all soils, the total amount of As was desorbed in due course, but the As release ratio tended to decrease with the passage of time. In general, soils with higher MACAs did not necessarily show less As desorption. For use as a geochemical barrier, as important as a high adsorption capacity of As by the soil is a low As desorption rate. The increase in As mobility may increase the risks of contaminating the supplies of water. To be a good As geochemical barrier the soil has to be a clayey Oxisol, with relatively high amounts of Fe and Al oxides, especially gibbsite.

Adsorption and desorption of arsenic and its immobilization in soils

Arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring chemical element considered toxic and carcinogenic by health and environmental protection agencies. Studies of As adsorption/desorption behavior in soils are important to predictions of As potential mobility in natural systems. The aim of this study was to assess the adsorption of As(V) in soils from Minas Gerais, Brazil, and determine its immobilization rate in order to identify soils with characteristics more favorable to its deployment as an As geochemical barrier. The adsorption experiment was performed using different As concentrations and the data pertaining to the maximum adsorption capacity of As(V) (MACAs) were determined by Langmuir and Freundlich isoterms. The Oxisols, due to their more oxidic mineralogy, especially more gibbsitic, and clayey texture, showed the highest MACAs, followed by Ultisols, Inceptisols, and Entisols. In terms of the desorption of As the Inceptisols were the soils that showed the most As desorption. Both As desorption and mobility was lower in the more oxidic and clayey soils. In all soils, the total amount of As was desorbed in due course, but the As release ratio tended to decrease with the passage of time. In general, soils with higher MACAs did not necessarily show less As desorption. For use as a geochemical barrier, as important as a high adsorption capacity of As by the soil is a low As desorption rate. The increase in As mobility may increase the risks of contaminating the supplies of water. To be a good As geochemical barrier the soil has to be a clayey Oxisol, with relatively high amounts of Fe and Al oxides, especially gibbsite.(AU)

Breeding biology of Long-tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti Sick, 1969 (Passeriformes: Furnariidae)

Abstract Cinclodes pabsti is an endemic passerine restricted to the highland areas in southern Brazil. The aim of this study was to provide information on its breeding biology. The nesting cavities along road cuts were monitored from May 2008 to March 2011. The survey was carried out monthly from May to July 2008, February to July 2009, 2010 (non-breeding season), weekly from August 2008 to January 2009, 2010 (breeding season), and on a 2 to 4-days basis from August 2010 to January 2011. The geographic location, physical characteristics, and soil/substrate type in which the nesting cavities were situated were recorded. The total number of cavities used in the three breeding seasons was 136, resulting in 295 nests. The distance of a nest to its nearest neighbor ranged from 24-2,368 m, with a higher number of nests (n = 34; 59.7%) in the distance interval of 24-500 m. There was a greater usage of cavities located in Inceptisols, and the distances of nesting cavity entrances to the ground and to the top of road cuts were 1.6 ± 0.9 m and 0.8 ± 0.62 m, respectively. The breeding season lasted 148 days from mid-August to early January. Clutch size (n = 256) varied from 2 to 3 eggs, and the eggs (n = 155) had a total length of 27.2 ± 1.3 mm, breadth of 20.9 ± 0.8 mm, and mass of 6.2 ± 0.7 g. The incubation phase lasted 17.3 ± 0.8 days and the nestling phase for 18.3 ± 1.5 days. The body mass of the chicks was 6.0 ± 1.0 g just after hatching and reached a maximum of 59.6 ± 2.4 g at 16 days of age. Our results can contribute to filling the gaps in knowledge of C. pabsti ecology, because its habitat is under high anthropic pressures and the information on its life history is yet limited.

Breeding biology of Long-tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti Sick, 1969 (Passeriformes: Furnariidae)

Abstract Cinclodes pabsti is an endemic passerine restricted to the highland areas in southern Brazil. The aim of this study was to provide information on its breeding biology. The nesting cavities along road cuts were monitored from May 2008 to March 2011. The survey was carried out monthly from May to July 2008, February to July 2009, 2010 (non-breeding season), weekly from August 2008 to January 2009, 2010 (breeding season), and on a 2 to 4-days basis from August 2010 to January 2011. The geographic location, physical characteristics, and soil/substrate type in which the nesting cavities were situated were recorded. The total number of cavities used in the three breeding seasons was 136, resulting in 295 nests. The distance of a nest to its nearest neighbor ranged from 24-2,368 m, with a higher number of nests (n = 34; 59.7%) in the distance interval of 24-500 m. There was a greater usage of cavities located in Inceptisols, and the distances of nesting cavity entrances to the ground and to the top of road cuts were 1.6 ± 0.9 m and 0.8 ± 0.62 m, respectively. The breeding season lasted 148 days from mid-August to early January. Clutch size (n = 256) varied from 2 to 3 eggs, and the eggs (n = 155) had a total length of 27.2 ± 1.3 mm, breadth of 20.9 ± 0.8 mm, and mass of 6.2 ± 0.7 g. The incubation phase lasted 17.3 ± 0.8 days and the nestling phase for 18.3 ± 1.5 days. The body mass of the chicks was 6.0 ± 1.0 g just after hatching and reached a maximum of 59.6 ± 2.4 g at 16 days of age. Our results can contribute to filling the gaps in knowledge of C. pabsti ecology, because its habitat is under high anthropic pressures and the information on its life history is yet limited.

Mineralogical, chemical and electrochemical attributes of soils

A set of attributes endows the soils with distinctive characteristics and astute understanding is required in order to formulate suitable strategies for soil management. The aim of this study was to physically, chemically and mineralogically characterize samples of the main soil classes in Minas Gerais, Brazil, determine the point of zero salt effect (PZSE) and the point of zero charge (PZC), and ascertain the correlation between these factors and soil attributes. The soils evaluated presented different textural classes ranging from loamy sand (Entisol) to very clayey (some Oxisols and Ultisols). The soils differed substantially in terms of fertility, presenting a range from dystrophic (low fertility, base saturation < 50 %) to eutrophic character (fertility, base saturation >= 50 %), even within the same soil class, such as the Oxisols, which suggests the concurrence of the parent material. Highly weathered soils are predominant in Minas Gerais and these soils are composed predominantly of kaolinite, gibbsite, goethite and hematite. Traces of hydroxy-Al interlayered vermiculite and illite were also found in the Oxisols, Ultisols and Inceptisols. A correlation between the PZSE and the PZC in the A horizon was observed. A high degree of correlation was observed between the PZC and the exchangeable aluminum and the ratio of iron obtained by ammonium oxalate and dithionite-citrate (Feo/Fed) in both the A and B horizons of soil classes. The results obtained reinforce the importance of knowledge of soil attributes to the adoption of practices such as the management of phosphate fertilization in clayey soils and liming in soils rich in aluminum.(AU)

Mineralogical, chemical and electrochemical attributes of soils

A set of attributes endows the soils with distinctive characteristics and astute understanding is required in order to formulate suitable strategies for soil management. The aim of this study was to physically, chemically and mineralogically characterize samples of the main soil classes in Minas Gerais, Brazil, determine the point of zero salt effect (PZSE) and the point of zero charge (PZC), and ascertain the correlation between these factors and soil attributes. The soils evaluated presented different textural classes ranging from loamy sand (Entisol) to very clayey (some Oxisols and Ultisols). The soils differed substantially in terms of fertility, presenting a range from dystrophic (low fertility, base saturation = 50 %), even within the same soil class, such as the Oxisols, which suggests the concurrence of the parent material. Highly weathered soils are predominant in Minas Gerais and these soils are composed predominantly of kaolinite, gibbsite, goethite and hematite. Traces of hydroxy-Al interlayered vermiculite and illite were also found in the Oxisols, Ultisols and Inceptisols. A correlation between the PZSE and the PZC in the A horizon was observed. A high degree of correlation was observed between the PZC and the exchangeable aluminum and the ratio of iron obtained by ammonium oxalate and dithionite-citrate (Feo/Fed) in both the A and B horizons of soil classes. The results obtained reinforce the importance of knowledge of soil attributes to the adoption of practices such as the management of phosphate fertilization in clayey soils and liming in soils rich in aluminum.

Breeding biology of Long-tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti Sick, 1969 (Passeriformes: Furnariidae)

Cinclodes pabsti is an endemic passerine restricted to the highland areas in southern Brazil. The aim of this study was to provide information on its breeding biology. The nesting cavities along road cuts were monitored from May 2008 to March 2011. The survey was carried out monthly from May to July 2008, February to July 2009, 2010 (non-breeding season), weekly from August 2008 to January 2009, 2010 (breeding season), and on a 2 to 4-days basis from August 2010 to January 2011. The geographic location, physical characteristics, and soil/substrate type in which the nesting cavities were situated were recorded. The total number of cavities used in the three breeding seasons was 136, resulting in 295 nests. The distance of a nest to its nearest neighbor ranged from 24-2,368 m, with a higher number of nests (n = 34; 59.7%) in the distance interval of 24-500 m. There was a greater usage of cavities located in Inceptisols, and the distances of nesting cavity entrances to the ground and to the top of road cuts were 1.6 ± 0.9 m and 0.8 ± 0.62 m, respectively. The breeding season lasted 148 days from mid-August to early January. Clutch size (n = 256) varied from 2 to 3 eggs, and the eggs (n = 155) had a total length of 27.2 ± 1.3 mm, breadth of 20.9 ± 0.8 mm, and mass of 6.2 ± 0.7 g. The incubation phase lasted 17.3 ± 0.8 days and the nestling phase for 18.3 ± 1.5 days. The body mass of the chicks was 6.0 ± 1.0 g just after hatching and reached a maximum of 59.6 ± 2.4 g at 16 days of age. Our results can contribute to filling the gaps in knowledge of C. pabsti ecology, because its habitat is under high anthropic pressures and the information on its life history is yet limited.(AU)

Chemical, physical and mineralogical attributes of the soils of the Sertanejo pediplain in the sisal-growing areas of the semiarid Bahia / Atributos químicos, físicos e mineralógicos de solos do Pediplano Sertanejo cultivado com sisal no semiárido baiano

Information and available knowledge of the soils of the Sertanejo pediplain are relatively scarce and restricted to survey data. Researches about soil characterization and classification contributes to the knowledge of different soil orders within a region and allows information to be obtained systemically based on the physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of the soil. This study aimed to evaluate the genesis of the Sertanejo pediplain soils, through the characterization of the chemical and mineralogical properties and classification of the soils of the sisal-growing region. Five soil profiles located in Araci, Retirolândia, St. Dominic, and Valente, cities located in the sisal-growing areas of the Bahia semiarid region, were studied, described morphologically, and analyzed for chemical (pH H2O and KCl, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, Al3+, H+ + Al3+, P, and TOC) and mineralogical attributes. Most evaluated soil classes were formed by lithological discontinuity of material. The main processes involved in the formation of such soil classes were: cumulization, accretion, and lessivage. The mineralogy of the clay fraction observed was complex and included a variety of minerals, with a predominance of kaolinite and bayerite. In addition, we also found goethite and illite in most of the studied profiles, both in the sediment, horizons P1 C2, and in the crystalline horizon P1 Cr, P2 Bi, P3 2Cr, and P5 Bi. The soils were classified up to the fourth category level, as Entisol Eutrophic Inceptisol (RRE), Alfisols Haplic typical Eutrophic (SXE), and Inceptisols Ta Eutrophic vertissólico (CXve).(AU)

As informações e o conhecimento disponível sobre os solos presentes no Pediplano Sertanejo são relativamente escassas, restringindo-se a informações produzidas pelos levantamentos em nível exploratório ou de reconhecimento. Pesquisas pedológicas sobre caracterização, mineralogia e classificação de solos, contribuem para o conhecimento das diversas ordens de solo de uma região e permitem sistematizar informações sobre os atributos físicos, químicos e mineralógicos dos solos. Este estudo objetivou determinar as propriedades químicas e mineralógicas, bem como a classificação de solos do Pediplano Sertanejo, representativos da região sisaleira. Cinco perfis de solos localizados nos municípios de em Araci, Retirolândia, São Domingos e Valente pertencentes à região sisaleira, semiárido baiano, foram abertos, descritos morfologicamente e analisados nos seus atributos químicos (pH em água e KCl, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, Al3+, H+ +Al3+, P e C) e mineralógicos. A maioria das classes de solos avaliadas são formadas por descontinuidade litológica. Os principais processos envolvidos na formação das classes de solos foram: cumulização, agradação e lessivagem. A mineralogia da fração argila observada é complexa e composta de uma variedade de minerais, com predomínio da caulinita e bayerita. Além destes, também foram encontrados goethita e ilita na maioria dos perfis estudados, tanto no sedimento, nos horizontes P1 C2, como no cristalino, horizontes P1 Cr, P2 Bi, P3 2Cr e P5 Bi. Os solos foram classificados, até o quarto nível categórico, como: Neossolo Regolítico Eutrófico léptico (RRe); Planossolo Háplico Eutrófico típico (SXe) e Cambissolo Háplico Ta Eutrófico vertissólico (CXve).(AU)

Mineralogia da argila e propriedades químicas de solos do Planalto Norte Catarinense / Clay mineralogy and chemical properties of soils in the north plateau of Santa Catarina state

No Planalto Norte Catarinense são escassas as informações sobre a composição mineralógica dos solos e há poucos perfis de solo descritos e caracterizados para a região. O mapa de solos de Santa Catarina indica predominância de Cambissolos, Neossolos Litólicos e Latossolos, com Gleissolos ocupando áreas de várzeas. Esses solos ocorrem em relevo desde plano até forte ondulado, onde pequenos e médios proprietários rurais desenvolvem cultivos diversificados, com áreas expressivas de reflorestamentos com pinus. Este trabalho objetivou aprofundar o conhecimento sobre a mineralogia e as propriedades químicas de alguns desses solos, desenvolvidos de rochas sedimentares de distintas formações geológicas. Foram descritos e amostrados 5 (cinco) perfis de solo, sendo um Latossolo e quatro Cambissolos.  Na TFSA, foram feitas análises físicas (areia, silte, argila) e químicas de caracterização básica ( pH em água e sal, carbono orgânico, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Al, H+Al) e com base nesses parâmetros foi calculada a CTC efetiva, CTC pH7, Soma e Saturação por Bases. Análises mineralógicas foram conduzidas na fração argila do horizonte B de cada solo, utilizando-se difratometria de raios X. Todos os solos apresentaram reação muito ácida, com baixa soma e saturação por bases e teores elevados de carbono orgânico e Al trocável. A mineralogia da fração argila revelou predomínio de caulinitas em todos os solos, com quantidades consideráveis de illita, gibbsita e vermiculita com hidroxi-Al entrecamadas.

In the North Plateau of Santa Catarina state, Brazil, there is little information about the mineralogical composition of the soils and a few soil profiles were described and characterized in the region. The two generalized soil maps of Santa Catarina indicate predominance of Inceptisols, Entisols and Oxisols, with hydromorphic soils occupying areas of floodplains. These soils occur in relief from plane to strong wavy, where small and medium rural farmers develop diversified crops, with significant areas with pine reforestation. This work aimed to increase the knowledge of the mineralogical and chemical properties of some of these soils developed from sedimentary rocks of different geological formations. Five soil profiles were described and sampled, included one oxisol and four Inceptisols. In fine earth, physical (sand, silt, clay) and chemical analyzes were performed (pH in water, organic carbon, Ca2+, Mg, K, Na, Al, H + Al) and based on these attributes was calculated effective CEC, CEC at pH7, sum of bases and base saturation. Mineralogical analyzes were conducted in the clay fraction of the B horizon of each soil, using X-ray diffraction techniques. All soils showed very acid reaction, with low sum of bases and base saturation and high levels of organic carbon and exchangeable Al. The clay mineralogy revealed predominance of kaolinite in all soils, with considerable amounts of gibbsite, and vermiculite with hydroxy-Al interlayered.

Mineralogia da argila e propriedades químicas de solos do Planalto Norte Catarinense / Clay mineralogy and chemical properties of soils in the north plateau of Santa Catarina state

No Planalto Norte Catarinense são escassas as informações sobre a composição mineralógica dos solos e há poucos perfis de solo descritos e caracterizados para a região. O mapa de solos de Santa Catarina indica predominância de Cambissolos, Neossolos Litólicos e Latossolos, com Gleissolos ocupando áreas de várzeas. Esses solos ocorrem em relevo desde plano até forte ondulado, onde pequenos e médios proprietários rurais desenvolvem cultivos diversificados, com áreas expressivas de reflorestamentos com pinus. Este trabalho objetivou aprofundar o conhecimento sobre a mineralogia e as propriedades químicas de alguns desses solos, desenvolvidos de rochas sedimentares de distintas formações geológicas. Foram descritos e amostrados 5 (cinco) perfis de solo, sendo um Latossolo e quatro Cambissolos.  Na TFSA, foram feitas análises físicas (areia, silte, argila) e químicas de caracterização básica ( pH em água e sal, carbono orgânico, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Al, H+Al) e com base nesses parâmetros foi calculada a CTC efetiva, CTC pH7, Soma e Saturação por Bases. Análises mineralógicas foram conduzidas na fração argila do horizonte B de cada solo, utilizando-se difratometria de raios X. Todos os solos apresentaram reação muito ácida, com baixa soma e saturação por bases e teores elevados de carbono orgânico e Al trocável. A mineralogia da fração argila revelou predomínio de caulinitas em todos os solos, com quantidades consideráveis de illita, gibbsita e vermiculita com hidroxi-Al entrecamadas.(AU)

In the North Plateau of Santa Catarina state, Brazil, there is little information about the mineralogical composition of the soils and a few soil profiles were described and characterized in the region. The two generalized soil maps of Santa Catarina indicate predominance of Inceptisols, Entisols and Oxisols, with hydromorphic soils occupying areas of floodplains. These soils occur in relief from plane to strong wavy, where small and medium rural farmers develop diversified crops, with significant areas with pine reforestation. This work aimed to increase the knowledge of the mineralogical and chemical properties of some of these soils developed from sedimentary rocks of different geological formations. Five soil profiles were described and sampled, included one oxisol and four Inceptisols. In fine earth, physical (sand, silt, clay) and chemical analyzes were performed (pH in water, organic carbon, Ca2+, Mg, K, Na, Al, H + Al) and based on these attributes was calculated effective CEC, CEC at pH7, sum of bases and base saturation. Mineralogical analyzes were conducted in the clay fraction of the B horizon of each soil, using X-ray diffraction techniques. All soils showed very acid reaction, with low sum of bases and base saturation and high levels of organic carbon and exchangeable Al. The clay mineralogy revealed predominance of kaolinite in all soils, with considerable amounts of gibbsite, and vermiculite with hydroxy-Al interlayered.(AU)

Chemical, physical and mineralogical attributes of the soils of the Sertanejo pediplain in the sisal-growing areas of the semiarid Bahia / Atributos químicos, físicos e mineralógicos de solos do Pediplano Sertanejo cultivado com sisal no semiárido baiano

Information and available knowledge of the soils of the Sertanejo pediplain are relatively scarce and restricted to survey data. Researches about soil characterization and classification contributes to the knowledge of different soil orders within a region and allows information to be obtained systemically based on the physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of the soil. This study aimed to evaluate the genesis of the Sertanejo pediplain soils, through the characterization of the chemical and mineralogical properties and classification of the soils of the sisal-growing region. Five soil profiles located in Araci, Retirolândia, St. Dominic, and Valente, cities located in the sisal-growing areas of the Bahia semiarid region, were studied, described morphologically, and analyzed for chemical (pH H2O and KCl, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, Al3+, H+ + Al3+, P, and TOC) and mineralogical attributes. Most evaluated soil classes were formed by lithological discontinuity of material. The main processes involved in the formation of such soil classes were: cumulization, accretion, and lessivage. The mineralogy of the clay fraction observed was complex and included a variety of minerals, with a predominance of kaolinite and bayerite. In addition, we also found goethite and illite in most of the studied profiles, both in the sediment, horizons P1 C2, and in the crystalline horizon P1 Cr, P2 Bi, P3 2Cr, and P5 Bi. The soils were classified up to the fourth category level, as Entisol Eutrophic Inceptisol (RRE), Alfisols Haplic typical Eutrophic (SXE), and Inceptisols Ta Eutrophic vertissólico (CXve).

As informações e o conhecimento disponível sobre os solos presentes no Pediplano Sertanejo são relativamente escassas, restringindo-se a informações produzidas pelos levantamentos em nível exploratório ou de reconhecimento. Pesquisas pedológicas sobre caracterização, mineralogia e classificação de solos, contribuem para o conhecimento das diversas ordens de solo de uma região e permitem sistematizar informações sobre os atributos físicos, químicos e mineralógicos dos solos. Este estudo objetivou determinar as propriedades químicas e mineralógicas, bem como a classificação de solos do Pediplano Sertanejo, representativos da região sisaleira. Cinco perfis de solos localizados nos municípios de em Araci, Retirolândia, São Domingos e Valente pertencentes à região sisaleira, semiárido baiano, foram abertos, descritos morfologicamente e analisados nos seus atributos químicos (pH em água e KCl, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, Al3+, H+ +Al3+, P e C) e mineralógicos. A maioria das classes de solos avaliadas são formadas por descontinuidade litológica. Os principais processos envolvidos na formação das classes de solos foram: cumulização, agradação e lessivagem. A mineralogia da fração argila observada é complexa e composta de uma variedade de minerais, com predomínio da caulinita e bayerita. Além destes, também foram encontrados goethita e ilita na maioria dos perfis estudados, tanto no sedimento, nos horizontes P1 C2, como no cristalino, horizontes P1 Cr, P2 Bi, P3 2Cr e P5 Bi. Os solos foram classificados, até o quarto nível categórico, como: Neossolo Regolítico Eutrófico léptico (RRe); Planossolo Háplico Eutrófico típico (SXe) e Cambissolo Háplico Ta Eutrófico vertissólico (CXve).