Mineralogical and Geochemical Nature of Calcareous Vineyard Soils from Alcubillas (La Mancha, Central Spain).

Raimundo Jiménez-Ballesta,Francisco J García-Navarro,Caridad Pérez-De Los Reyes,Sandra Bravo,Jose A Amorós,Pablo Higueras,Rosario García-Giménez

doi:10.3390/ijerph17176229

Abstract

The mineralogical and geochemical patterns of calcareous vineyard soils located in Alcubillas (La Mancha, Central Spain) have been evaluated; also their variability has been studied. The information provided by this study supports the assessment of geochemical spatial variability, the origin of these soils, their elements and the factors that control their distribution. The presence of quartz, calcite, feldspar and, in particular, illite and kaolinite is due to their inheritance from surrounding lithologies (and pedological processes), which mostly include limestones, marls and other sedimentary rocks, as well as metasedimentary rocks of Hercynian origin. Furthermore, since the presence and accumulation of certain trace elements in vineyard soils is a relevant global hazard (in particular with respect to wine production quality), the spatial distributions of Ba, Cr, Cu, Pb, Rb, Sr, V and Zr (carried out using geostatistical techniques and geometry-based interpolation methods) were investigated in order to determine the origin of these trace elements. The presence of these elements can be interpreted as being due to geogenic, pedogenic and, in certain cases, anthropic influences. The nature of certain agricultural practices, including the use of fertilizers, phytosanitary products and machinery, could explain the local increases in some trace element contents.

Highlights

It is widely accepted that, in a vineyard, the geology–bedrock–soil–vine system helps to explain the typicity of wine from a particular zone or terroir
The mineralogical compositions of the bulk samples were determined by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) on a PANalytical X’Pert PRO X-ray diffractometer (Pananalytical; Davis, CA, USA) fitted with a Cu anode
The low levels, which are similar to the regional background levels of these elements, and the fact that they show moderately regular spatial distribution patterns, indicate that the elements derive from the soil parent materials and their concentrations mostly depend on soil type

Summary

Introduction

It is widely accepted that, in a vineyard, the geology–bedrock–soil–vine system helps to explain the typicity of wine from a particular zone or terroir. There is a lack of information about the mineralogy, concentrations and spatial distribution of trace elements in red calcareous vineyard soils, which are extensive in many subregions of the Mediterranean area. These soils typically include argillic horizons, and they often include calcic or petrocalcic horizons [3,4]. The main soil-forming processes responsible for the genesis of these red Mediterranean soils include clay illuviation and rubefaction [5,6,7]. The latter authors did not identify clay coatings and, in addition, pedogenic carbonates occur frequently in these soil types, their role is not fully understood

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