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Iron and sulfur are key elements in the biogeochemistry of estuarine soils, in which Fe and sulfate reduction (SR) pathways are important for organic matter decomposition. In the semi-arid coast of NE Brazil, mangroves are characterized by large seasonal variations in weather and the presence of numerous shrimp farms. The objective was to determine the impacts of shrimp farm effluents on iron and sulfur geochemistry in mangrove soils under the semi-arid climate of NE Brazil. A seasonal study was made of two mangrove forest soils (SF, a mangrove forest that directly receives wastewater from shrimp ponds and CS, a control site). Pyrite Fe, oxyhydroxides Fe, acid volatile sulfide, degree of pyritization (DOP), pH, Eh, total organic carbon (TOC) and total S were determined. There was a clear decrease in pyritic Fe and DOP in the SF soils, which may be related to the anaerobic oxidation of pyrite coupled with nitrate reduction, or to the dominance of denitrification over SR. Lower TOC contents in the SF site suggest that below ground decomposition increased in response to eutrophication. The seasonal variations led to important changes in the semi-arid mangrove soils. During the dry period, both soils experienced oxidizing conditions with remarkable loss of reduced and oxidized forms of Fe, which may have important environmental implications as Fe is biolimiting for marine primary production. The data show that both factors (seasonal weather variations and shrimp effluents) play important roles in the geochemical processes that occur in these soils and, thus, may affect their functioning and maintenance.

RESUMOO estudo micromorfológico permite observar detalhadamente todas as modificações causadas na estrutura e no espaço poroso do solo, impostas pelo cultivo e pelo tráfego de máquinas agrícolas. Este trabalho testou a hipótese de que a compactação causada pelo tráfego de máquinas influi, diferencialmente, na forma e na distribuição das classes de poros, os quais podem ser utilizados como indicadores da qualidade do solo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar e quantificar, por meio de estudos micromorfológicos, as modificações na porosidade oriunda da atividade biológica (bioporos) em um Latossolo VermelhoAmarelo sob pomar de laranja submetido ao tráfego de máquinas. Amostras indeformadas foram coletadas na superfície (0-12 cm) de uma área sob pomar de laranja, abrangendo as posições: entrerodado (ER), rodado (R) e projeção da copa (PC), utilizado, como testemunha, um perfil sob mata. Os resultados mostraram que o aumento na diversidade de poros está diretamente relacionado com os processos de degradação da estrutura do solo e que o estudo da ocorrência das classes de poros mostrou-se mais eficiente na identificação da compactação do solo em estádios iniciais que os dados de densidade do solo.Termos de indexação: Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo, micromorfologia, compactação do solo, distribuição do espaço poroso.(1) Recebido para publicação em agosto de 2004 e aprovado em julho de 2005.(2) Doutoranda e Professor do

Wetland soils, especially those under a semi-arid climate, are among the least studied soils in the tropics. The hypersaline tidal flats on the north-eastern Brazilian coast, locally named apicum, are coastal wetland ecosystems in the peripheral portions of semi-arid estuaries. Despite their great ecological importance, they have been highly impacted by anthropogenic activities. Morphological and analytical data of six soil profiles, representative of the different coastal compartments (mangroves, apicum and coastal tablelands) of the north-eastern Brazilian coast, were examined to better understand the pedogenesis of apicum soils. The hypersaline tidal flat soils were classified as Typic Fluvaquents and Typic Sulfaquents with the following main characteristics: predominance of sand fraction (62–77%); presence of high-activity clays (>24 cmolc kg–1 clay); clay fraction comprising kaolinite, illite, smectite and an interstratified smectite/illite; exchangeable complex dominated by Na+ (ESP ≥15%); elevated levels of salinity (electrical conductivity, EC 25–44 dS m–1); alkaline pH values (7.5–9.5). The sandy texture and quartz-dominated composition of the hypersaline, tidal flat soils indicate a pedogenesis associated with the superficial addition of mineral material. This upbuilding process would have lowered the watertable (relatively to the ground level) and decreased the flooding frequency by the tides, favouring salinisation and solonisation processes at the hypersaline tidal flats. Furthermore, the still-existing hydromorphism would have promoted the maintenance of gleisation and sulfidisation. The presence of pyrite on the hyper-saline tidal flat soils further corroborates the formation of apicum soils from/over buried mangroves.

R E S U M OA variabilidade dos atributos químicos do solo é influenciada por complexas interações entre os fatores e os processos de formação do solo. Este trabalho partiu da hipótese de que os atributos químicos do solo variam com o microrrelevo a ponto de alterar as recomendações de manejo para uso agrícola. Com isto, o relevo foi separado em compartimentos e as superfícies estudadas com o objetivo de se determinar os atributos químicos do solo, avaliar a distribuição e a dependência espacial desses atributos. A grade amostral compreendeu uma área de 102 ha da Fazenda Agrícola Famosa, localizada na Chapada do Apodi, CE. O solo da área apresenta origem calcária e as amostras foram coletadas em 92 pontos distanciados 200 m na linha e 100 m entre linhas, nas profundidades de 0-20 e 20-40 cm. Com os dados, gerou-se um modelo de elevação do terreno e, com base nas formas de relevo identificadas, dividiu-se o local de estudo em superfícies. Os dados foram avaliados por estatística descritiva e análise de variabilidade espacial, com base no ajuste de semivariogramas e mapas de krigagem. Os atributos químicos do solo apresentaram variabilidade espacial nos microrrelevos convexo, retilíneo e côncavo, intensificada pelo fluxo de água nas profundidades. Spatial variability of soil chemical attributes associated with microrelief A B S T R A C TThe variability of soil chemical attributes is influenced by complex interactions between factors and processes of soil formation. This study hypothesized that soil chemical attribute varies with microrelief to change management recommendations for agricultural use. The relief was separated in compartments and surfaces were studied with the objective to determine the soil chemical properties and to evaluate the spatial dependence of these attributes. Sampling grid was established in an area of 102 ha at Agricultural Farm Famosa localized in Plateau of Apodi, CE. The soil was derived from limestone and was collected at 92 points spaced at 200 by 100 m and in 0-20 and 20-40 cm depths. With the topographic data a terrain modeling was generated and based on the identified microrelief, the study site was divided into surfaces. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and spatial variability analysis, with the semivariograms adjustments and kriging maps. Soil chemical attributes showed spatial variability at the convex, concave and rectilinear microrelief, being intensified by water flow at the depths.

A B S T R A C T: High-resolution electron microscopy and microanalytical studies were performed on clay and bulk soil samples developed on various igneous and metamorphic rocks from Galicia in the Coruna province in NW Spain. Two mineralogical microsystems can be distinguished showing different stages of weathering. For feldspars, exsolution and mass transformation lead to the delineation of parallel domains, and to formation of gel or paracrystalline minerals. For micas, alteration starts with a physical breakdown, i.e. exfoliation and crystal microdivision; individualization of monolayers is followed by gel formation. A solid phase diffusion phenomenon can explain the formation of i : 1 phyllosilicates inside 2 : 1 phyllosilicates or within the continuum of the original crystals. Evidence of such weathering stages in crystalline rocks can be related to the occurrence of specific climatic conditions between temperate and tropical areas.Micas and feldspars are the main constituents of crystalline and metamorphic rocks which weather into secondary minerals, according to the environmental conditions. In temperate regions, feldspars (especially K-feldspars) are often considered as relatively stable, and phyllosilicates (mica or chlorite) are the main source of clay minerals, such as vermiculite or smectite. In humid tropical climates, both micas and feldspars are completely transformed into kaolinite and/or gibbsite, and iron oxides.The NW part of Spain (Galicia) is characterized by the presence of igneous and metamorphic rocks of varied composition, ranging with acidic to ultrabasic. Mineral evolutions have been compared to those of a subtropical climate (Macias Vazquez, 1981); they are influenced by good drainage conditions which allow rapid leaching of elements, and by the abundance of organic matter.The area studied lies in the FAO agroecological area, i.e. "subtropical with winter rainfall" (FAO, 1985;Martinez, 1987). Climatic data indicate high annual rainfall (800-2600 mm), high average humidity (>80%) and a mean temperature of 8-15~All the conditions (climatic, geological and pedological) induce intense weathering with a predominant monosialitization process. Nevertheless, the intermediate position of Galicia between temperate and tropical areas offers the opportunity of distinguishing several steps in the weathering process. MATERIALS AND METHODS SamplesThe rocks of the region represent a wide range of mineral composition: granite with a predominance of K-feldspars; granodiorite with plagioclase and biotite; gabbro with 9 1992 The Mineralogical Society

RESUMO Dada a grande importância dos solos coesos derivados de sedimentos daFormação Barreiras e sua extensa área ocupada no Nordeste brasileiro, este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar e caracterizar a ocorrência de solos coesos nos tabuleiros costeiros no estado do Ceará. O estudo foi realizado em três perfis de solos, sendo dois Argissolos coesos e um Argissolo não-coeso, nos quais foram observadas as características morfológicas e determinadas as propriedades físicas, químicas e mineralógicas para a identificação e comprovação do(s) horizonte(s) coeso(s). Os resultados comprovaram a hipótese de ocorrência de solos coesos no estado do Ceará e a semelhança destes com solos coesos estudados em outros estados brasileiros. A RP foi o indicador mais sensível da coesividade do solo.Termos de indexação: horizontes coesos, parâmetros morfológicos, tabuleiros costeiros no estado do Ceará.

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