RESUMO
An understanding of the stock of soil organic carbon (SOC) in the umbric epipedon of Oxisols located in the tropical forests surrounded by a semi-arid region is limited but essential because of their importance in the global cycle of carbon (C). The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of climatic (temperature and rainfall), soil organic matter (SOM) composition and litter on the stability of C in surfaces and subsurfaces in five Humic Oxisols along a 475-km climosequence from 143 to 963ma.s.l. in a tropical environment in northeastern Brazil. We assessed vertical changes in SOC; soil total nitrogen (N); C from the microbial biomass; δ(13)C, δ(15)N and the humified composition of SOM; the composition of the humin (HUM) fraction by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR); and Thermogravimetry (TG) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) at depth. The elemental and isotopic composition of the litter samples were analyzed in all areas studied. The results indicated that the current climate and recalcitrant organic compounds are not preponderant factors in the formation of the umbric epipedon, as suggested by the partial influence of temperature and rainfall on SOM. In addition, SOM was dominated by easily decomposable compounds, as indicated by the predominance of aliphatic C-H groups in the HUM fraction in the FTIR spectra; by the thermal oxidation through DSC-TG, which revealed that approximately 50% of the HUM was composed easily decomposable compounds; and by the high proportion of organic C present in the microbial biomass. Values of δ(13)C showed a predominance of C3 plant-C in SOM whereas δ(15)N patterns indicated that N dynamics differ among the profiles and drive the accumulation of C. These findings can help to characterize the susceptibility of these soils to changes in climate and land use and the implications for the sequestration of soil C.
RESUMO
A formação de Latossolos com horizonte A húmico (Lhs) no Nordeste é relativamente rara e, geralmente, está associada a ambientes altimontanos, distinguindo-se da região semiárida circundante. Devido a isso, estes solos são intensamente utilizados e importantes para a economia regional. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar Lhs da região Nordeste, bem como avaliar os mecanismos envolvidos no acúmulo do carbono orgânico (CO) em profundidade, visando a determinação da aptidão agrícola para o uso e manejo adequado do solo. O trabalho foi conduzido no município de Brejão, Agreste do Estado de Pernambuco. Foi realizada a caracterização morfológica, física, química e mineralógica de quatro perfis de Latossolos com horizonte A húmico, sob diferentes sistemas de uso da terra (vegetação nativa, capoeira, cultivo e pastagem), com a avaliação da aptidão agrícola e da variação do CO em profundidade. Os solos foram classificados como LATOSSOLOS AMARELOS Distrocoesos húmicos, textura argilosa, todos com horizonte A húmico maior que 100 cm. Todos os perfis apresentaram acidez elevada, alta saturação por alumínio, baixa capacidade de troca de cátions (CTC), caráter coeso e fração argila essencialmente caulinítica. O teor de CO foi alto, independente do uso do solo, e se correlacionou fortemente em profundidade com a argila dispersa, CTC, N e P. A distribuição do CO em profundidade foi favorecida pelos menores teores de argila e pela associação com as formas de Fe pouco cristalinas. A aptidão agrícola das terras enquadrou-se no grupo 2, ou seja, aptidão boa para lavouras de ciclo curto e/ou longo com práticas agrícolas com um médio e alto nível tecnológico. No entanto, essa aptidão é restrita quando utilizado baixo nível tecnológico em razão da exigência de elevadas doses de fertilizantes e corretivos.
The occurrence of Oxisols with a humic A horizon (Lhs) in Northeast Brazil is relatively rare and, generally associated with mountainous environments, quite different from the surrounding semiarid region. Therefore, these soils are intensely used and important for the regional economy. The aim of this study was to characterize the Lhs from Northeast, and assess the mechanisms involved in the accumulation of organic carbon in depth, in order to determine suitability agricultural and use and adequate soil management. The work was carried out in Brejão municipality, Agreste region of Pernambuco State, Brazil. Morphological, physical, chemical and mineralogical properties were determined in four soil profiles, under different management systems (native forest, secondary forest, traditional cropping system and planted pasture), with the assessment of agricultural suitability and variation of organic carbon (OC) in depth, and soil properties were correlated with the soil OC content in depth. All studied soils were classified as Humic Haplustox, with humic A horizon thicker than 100 cm. Furthermore, the soils showed high acidity and aluminum saturation, low cation exchange capacity (CTC), cohesive character and a kaolinitic clay fraction. The values of soil density were inversely correlated with the organic matter content. The OC was considered high, despite the management system. The variation of the OC with depth was strongly correlated with disperse clay, CTC, N and P. The OC distribution with depth was favored by smaller amounts of clay and by the association with poor crystalline Fe compounds. The agricultural suitability from soils framed up in group 2, good suitability for short cycle crops and/or long with agricultural practices with medium and high technological level. However, this ability is restricted when used low technological level due to the high demand for fertilizers and corrective.
