Abstract
Despite its importance, studies of mangrove soils are scarce, especially from a pedological perspective. The objective of this work was to study the genesis of soils in a mangrove environment in northeastern Brazil (Ilhéus, Bahia) through a morphological, physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization. All soils presented a sandy texture, which is related to the parent material (Quaternary sand deposits). The tidal flooding and resulting hydromorphic conditions is responsible for dominance of dark grey colors, and high organic matter contents (paludization process). As well as the high values of electrical conductivity (EC) and dominance of Na+ in the saturation extract (salinization and solodization processes, respectively). Contrastingly, the M3 profile, with aninga (Montrichardia linifera) vegetation, a non-exclusive mangrove plant, showed colors with high chromas due to a lesser influence of tidal flooding. The pH values and the SO4=/Cl- ratios indicated the presence of sulfidic material and, thus, the occurrence of the sulfidization process. The soil organic matter fractionation evidenced the humin as the fraction with the highest content, probably because of removal of most soluble fractions due to tidal action. Similar to mangrove soils from southeast Brazil, the XRD analysis identified kaolinite, mica and expandable 2:1 minerals in the clay fraction.
Highlights
Mangroves are among the most productive and biologically important ecosystems in the world
This study aimed to study the genesis of mangrove soils from northeastern Brazil (Ilhéus, Bahia), through the characterization of their morphological, physical and chemical characteristics and through the study of their organic and mineral fractions
Soil sampling was performed in the mangroves of Ilhéus-BA, Brazil, along the Almada River, during low tides using a sampler adapted to flooded soils NapoleãoSONDATERRA®.The profiles M1, M2 and M3 are located 9 km away from the river mouth, the first one is closest to the river shore and the last one, farthest
Summary
Mangroves are among the most productive and biologically important ecosystems in the world They are distributed in the inter-tidal regions between the sea and land in the tropical and subtropical regions (ALONGI, 2011), predominantly between 5o N and 5o S latitudes (GIRI et al, 2011). They provide important and unique ecosystem goods and services to human society and coastal marine systems, helping to stabilize shorelines and to reduce the devastating impact of natural disasters such as tsunamis and hurricanes (GIRI et al, 2011; MUKHERJEE et al, 2010). Considering the existing relationship among mangroves and the global carbon dynamics, much of the role these ecosystems play can be comprehended thorough an understanding of their soils characteristics and pedogenesis
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