Rock magnetism in soils of the Pampean plain. Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Linking climate and magnetic behaviour

Results of the study of Argiudolls in two localities (Zarate and Veronica) of the Pampean plain, Argentina, are presented in this contribution. This is a typical area covered by loess. The magnetic studies carried out allowed to determine the presence of detrital magnetite and titanomagnetite, as well as maghemite, pedogenic goethite and superparamagnetic particles (SP). In Veronica soils, a depletion of ferromagnetic minerals is recorded The dominant process in these soils has been the reductive loss of detrital magnetite and titanomagnetite. This is associated with a greater degree of evolution of the soil, which is determined by the concentration and type of detected clays. The higher clay concentration in these soils facilitated reducing conditions and a greater loss of detrital magnetic particles. The loss is reinforced under poor drainage conditions. In the poorly drained soil of Zarate, a concentration of magnetic particles is observed in the Bt horizon, which is associated with an illuviation process. The well drained soil of the same locality shows neoformation of SP particles. These particles would have an ephemeral life until a new wet period in the annual cycle occurs. Although some characteristics of the magnetic signal appear reinforced by the conditions of drainage, this aspect does not seem to be too significant, at least in the Pampean region with low topographic gradients.

The Determination of Total Hydrogen, Carbon, Nitrogen and Sulfur in Silicates, Silicate Rocks, Soils and Sediments

Determinations of the volatile elements carbon, hydrogen, sulfur and nitrogen in many geological RM, performed with the LECO CHN and SC analysers, are presented. The method allowed the determination of S in concentrations from a few % m/m to 0.001% m/m or less, of C from % m/m to 0.01% m/m and of H from % m/m to 0.004% m/m. Accuracy was usually better than the XRF method (for S). All obtained values passed the Sutarno-Steger test, which establishes that vertical bar(mean(analysed) - mean(certified))vertical bar/ S(certified) < 2, for the cases with an appropriate number of determinations (n > 10 for each element). It was possible to perform routine determination of C, H and S with the instrumentation, coupled with the determination of major and minor elements in geological materials. Determination of nitrogen could also be performed on an exploratory basis, with improvements in the method dependent on the future availability of more reference materials with reliable composition of this element.

Metal contamination in urban park soils of SA o pound Paulo

There has been little research on metal concentration levels in urban soils of SA o pound Paulo, a city with 19 million inhabitants with severe pollution problems. In the present study, the concentration of As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Pb, Sb and Zn, were determined by INAA and XRF in surface soil samples from 7 public parks located within SA o pound Paulo city. The results obtained showed that soils of SA o pound Paulo public parks present concentration levels of the studied elements higher than the reference values for soils in SA o pound Paulo State. Traffic related elements such as Cu, Pb and Zn presented high concentrations in parks located near avenues of highly dense traffic and may be associated to vehicular sources.

Bacterial Community Composition in Brazilian Anthrosols and Adjacent Soils Characterized Using Culturing and Molecular Identification

Microbial community composition was examined in two soil types, Anthrosols and adjacent soils, sampled from three locations in the Brazilian Amazon. The Anthrosols, also known as Amazonian dark earths, are highly fertile soils that are a legacy of pre-Columbian settlement. Both Anthrosols and adjacent soils are derived from the same parent material and subject to the same environmental conditions, including rainfall and temperature; however, the Anthrosols contain high levels of charcoal-like black carbon from which they derive their dark color. The Anthrosols typically have higher cation exchange capacity, higher pH, and higher phosphorus and calcium contents. We used culture media prepared from soil extracts to isolate bacteria unique to the two soil types and then sequenced their 16S rRNA genes to determine their phylogenetic placement. Higher numbers of culturable bacteria, by over two orders of magnitude at the deepest sampling depths, were counted in the Anthrosols. Sequences of bacteria isolated on soil extract media yielded five possible new bacterial families. Also, a higher number of families in the bacteria were represented by isolates from the deeper soil depths in the Anthrosols. Higher bacterial populations and a greater diversity of isolates were found in all of the Anthrosols, to a depth of up to 1 m, compared to adjacent soils located within 50-500 m of their associated Anthrosols. Compared to standard culture media, soil extract media revealed diverse soil microbial populations adapted to the unique biochemistry and physiological ecology of these Anthrosols.

Distribution of Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 in soils and sugar cane crops at Corumbatai river basin, São Paulo State, Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Peat humic substances enriched with nutrients for agricultural applications: Competition between nutrients and non-essential metals present in tropical soils

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Comparison of microbial numbers in soils by using various culture media and temperatures

The influence of different media and incubation temperatures on the quantification of microbial populations in sorghum, eucalyptus and forest soils was evaluated. Microbial growth was compared by using complex (tryptone soybean agar, TSA, casein-starch, CS, and Martin) and saline (Thorton, M3, Czapeck) media and incubation temperatures of 25 and 30&DEG; C. Higher numbers of total bacterial. and fungal colony-forming units (CFU) were observed in sorghum soils, and of spore-forming and Gram-negative bacteria in forest soils than other soils. Actinomycetes counts were highest in forest soil when using CS medium at 30&DEG; C and in sorghum soil at 25&DEG; C in M3 medium. Microorganism counts were dependent on the media and incubation temperatures. The counts at temperatures of 30&DEG; C were significantly higher than at 25&DEG; C. Microbial quantification was best when using TSA medium for total. and spore-forming bacteria, Thorton for Gram-negative bacteria, M3 for actinomycetes, and Martin for fungi. © 2005 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization in two soils amended with distillery yeast

The possibility of using yeast from alcohol distilleries as a source of nutrients in soil was investigated. The following treatments were used: no fertilization (control), 0.5% (w/w) yeast, 1% (w/w) yeast, and NPK. The decomposition of yeast was monitored for 90 days in two soils. The CO, production and the microbial biomass were increased by art average of 1- to 3-fold by yeast incorporation compared to control. Protease activity also was enhanced 3- to 8-fold in the soils supplemented with yeast compared to control. The phosphatase activities were higher than control only during the first days. While nitrate contents increased in all treatments compared to control, available P only increased in the soils amended with 1%, yeast or NPK by 45-119% and 309-489%, respectively. These results indicate that there exists an excellent potential for the use of yeast in the soil as a source of nitrate and available P for plant nutrition. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nickel adsorption by soils in relation to pH, organic matter, and iron oxides

There is little information on nickel adsorption by Brazilian soils. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of pH, organic matter, and iron oxides on nickel adsorption by three soils: a clayey Anionic Rhodic Acrudox, a sandy clay loam Anionic Xanthic Acrudox, and a clayey Rhodic Hapludalf. Soil samples were collected from the 0-0.2 in layer and treated to eliminate organic matter and iron oxides. The nickel adsorption was evaluated in the original samples and in those treated to remove organic matter and to remove both, organic matter and iron oxides, using 2 g soil + 20 mL of 0.01 mol L-1 CaCl2 solution containing 5 mg L-1 Ni, pH varying from 3.5 to 7.5. The nickel adsorption decreased with the elimination of organic matter. For the samples without organic matter and iron oxides, adsorption decreased only in the Anionic Rhodic Acrudox. The pH was the main factor involved in nickel adsorption variation, and for soil samples without organic matter and iron oxides, the maximum adsorption occurred at higher pH values.

Soil sampling intensity and spatial distribution pattern of soils attributes and corn yield in no-tillage system

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Molecular characterization of bacterial populations of different soils

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Potassium Leaching as Affected by Soil Texture and Residual Fertilization in Tropical Soils

Potassium (K) leaching is affected by soil texture and available K, among other factors. In this experiment, effects of soil texture and K availability on K distribution were studied in the presence of roots, with no excess water. Soils from two 6-year field experiments on a sandy clay loam and a clay soil fertilized yearly with 0, 60, 120, and 180 kg ha-1 of K2O were accommodated in pots that received 90 kg ha-1 of K2O. Soybean was grown up to its full bloom (R2). Under field conditions, K leaching below the arable layer increased with K rates, but the effect was less noticeable in the clay soil. Potassium leaching in a sandy clay loam soil was related to soil K contents from prior fertilizations. With no excess water, in the presence of soybean roots, K distribution in the profile was significant in the lighter textured soil but was not apparent on the heavier textured soil.

Assessment of micronutrient extractants from soils of Paraná, Brazil

In Brazil, plant-available micronutrients in the soil can be determined by several chemical extractants, the most common of which are dilute acid and chelating solutions. The purpose of this study was to assess the extractants 0.1 mol L-1 HCl, Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 and DTPA for analysis of the micronutrients Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn in soils from the state of Parana. In samples from 12 soils (0-20 cm layer), wheat was planted (Triticum aestivum), grown for 42 days after emergence, and then bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) for 38 days. At the end of each planting period, the soil was sampled again. All extractants tested to assess the availability of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn correlated with each other. The efficiency of the extractants HCl, Mehlich-3 and DTPA in assessing plant-available Cu was similar, unlike Mehlich-1, which proved less efficient. The extractants HCl, Mehlich-1 and Mehlich-3 were less efficient in estimating plant-available Zn and Fe, and the most indicated extractant is DTPA. The efficiency of the extractants HCl, Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 and DTPA in assessing plant-available Mn in soils from Parana was similar.

Phosphorus fractions in Brazilian Cerrado soils as affected by tillage

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Extraction methods and availability of phosphorus for soybean in soils from Parana State, Brazil

In studies on the evaluation of methodologies for the analysis of soil, phosphorus (P) has been the single most studied aspect, due to the complexity of this dynamic element in soil. However, these studies have been limited regarding soil conditions in Paranaa. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 and ion exchange resin methods in the evaluation of available P for soybean (Glycine max) in the soils of Paranaa State. Twelve soil samples collected from the upper 0-20 cm were planted with soybean for a period of 42 days in the greenhouse. The ability to extract soil P followed the order of decreasing average amount of extracted P: Mehlich-3 > resin > Mehlich-1. The correlation coefficients between the content of P extracted by Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 and resin and the amount of P accumulated in the plants were 0.86, 0.90 and 0.93, respectively. Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 and resin showed similar efficiency in the evaluation of P availability to plants and, under conditions of natural fertility and in soils that had received no application of poorly natural reactive phosphates, can be used to quantify the concentrations of P in the soils of Parana State.