ABSTRACT Agroecological management is considered a model of sustainable agriculture that offers social, environmental and economic benefits. The hypotheses of this study were that agroecological production systems can promote changes in the physical fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) associated with aggregates of different origins, and that the greater diversity of plant species in the production system may favour an increase in the carbon concentration of these aggregates. The aim of this study was to a) determine the mass of the free light fraction (FLF), intra-aggregate light fraction (ILF) and light organic matter fraction (LOM) of biogenic and physiogenic soil aggregates; and b) quantify the organic carbon content of the three light SOM fractions and the residual particulate SOM fraction. Five production systems were evaluated: AgF - Agroforestry system; CSun - Coffee grown in full sun; CSha - Coffee grown in shade; FLE - Flemingia grown in alleys; and NT - No-tillage. The aggregates were separated, identified and classified according to their origin or formation pathway into biogenic (formed by biological processes) or physiogenic aggregates (resulting from chemical and physical actions). From these, the mass and carbon content of the FLF, ILF, LOM and residual particulate fractions were quantified. The greater diversity of plant species found in the AgF system has not yet favoured an increase in the carbon content of the aggregates. The longer set-up time and the management practices of the CSun system has led to an increase in the carbon content of the organic fractions of the aggregates (3.44-1.63 g kg-1 for C-LOM; 1.93-1.13 g kg-1 for C-FLF). The lowest overall mean values for LOM and ILF were found mainly in the aggregates of the NT system (1.22-1.67 and 1.55-2.20 g kg-1, respectively), being associated with the shorter time and greater mobilisation of the arable layer. Biogenic aggregation afforded the highest overall mean values for LOM, and increased the mass of the light fractions (15.5%-27.8% for FLF; 23.4%-8.0% for ILF) and the carbon in the C-LOM, C-FLF and residual particulate fractions (42.3%, 12.9%, and 35.0%, respectively) in the surface layer, suggesting an improvement in soil quality.

Resumen La determinación del carbono (C) potencialmente mineralizable es realizada mediante la evolución del C-CO2, la cual refleja la actividad de la biota del suelo en la descomposición de la materia orgánica (MOS) y puede ser utilizada como un parámetro para encontrar diferencias en sistemas de producción agroecológicos. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo cuantificar el C mineralizable en agregados con diferentes vías de formación (biogénica y fisiogénica) en sistemas de manejo agroecológicos del municipio de Seropédica, estado de Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Cinco áreas fueron seleccionadas para la colecta de las muestras: (1) sistema agroforestal con 10 años (AFS), (2) café en pleno sol con 15 años (C-SOL), (3) café sombreado con 15 años (C-SOM), (4) calles con Flemingia macrophylla, con 10 años (AL-FLE) e (5) sistema de plantación directa con maíz e berenjena con 6 años (PD), en un Argisol Rojo-Amarillo (Ultisol) en Seropédica-RJ. Los agregados biogénicos y fisiogénicos fueron identificados de acuerdo con su vía de formación y atendiendo a sus patrones morfológicos. En ellos fue determinada la fertilidad, el carbono orgánico total (COT) y el nitrógeno total (NT). La evolución y acumulación de C-CO2 fue determinada en laboratorio después de pasados 35 días de incubación. Los agregados biogénicos y fisiogénicos obtenidos en los diferentes sistemas de manejos agroecológicos mostraron picos de evolución de C-CO2 hasta el vigésimo día de incubación y una estabilización a los 35 días de evaluación. El área de manejo agroecológico PD presentó mayor acumulación de C-CO2 entre todos los sistemas evaluados en los agregados biogénicos y menor acumulación en los agregados fisiogénicos.

Abstract Determination of mineralizable carbon (C) is based on the evolution of C-CO2, reflecting the activity of soil biota in soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition, and can be used as a testing parameter in agroecological production systems. The objective of the present work was to quantify mineralizable C in aggregates of different biogenic and physiogenic formation pathways in agroecological management systems in the city of Seropédica, state of Rio de Janeiro. Five sampling areas were selected: (1) 10-year agroforestry system (AFS), (2) 15-year full sun coffee (C-SUN), (3) 15-year shaded coffee (C-SHA), (4) 10-year Flemingia macrophylla (FLE), and (5) 6-year no-till planting system with corn and eggplant (NT) in Red-Yellow Argisol in Seropédica-RJ. Morphological patterns were used to identify the formation pathway (biogenic and physiogenic) of aggregates. In these, fertility, total organic carbon (TOC), and total nitrogen (TN) were evaluated. The evolution and accumulation of C-CO2 were determined in the laboratory after 35 days of incubation. The biological and physiogenic aggregates of the different agricultural management systems resulted in peaks of C-CO2 evolution up to the 20th day of incubation, with stabilization at 35 days of evaluation. The NT area under agroecological management presented higher C-CO2 accumulation among the systems with biogenic aggregates and less accumulation in the physiogenic aggregates.

ABSTRACT Termites have peculiar activities in the soil, inducing significant changes in the soil properties. The objective of this study was to assess physical and chemical properties and soil organic matter to evaluate the effect of termite activity and termite mounds on the soil. Two toposequences were selected and divided in slope thirds (shoulder, backslope, and footslope). In each of these, four termite mounds were selected. Samples were taken from the soils and termite mounds (top, center, and base) along with a variety of termites for identification. Analyses were carried out for physical, soil texture, and chemical properties, as well as for particle size and chemical fractioning of organic matter. The species Cornitermes cumulans was found in all mounds. Soil with termite mound presented higher clay content, acidity, and Al3+ content. Phosphorus contents differed considerably between mound material and soil. Sum of bases and cation exchange capacity of the soil were higher in mounds, and differed within the mounds, according to the sampling height. Total organic carbon and particulate carbon content were highest at the mound base. A marked disparity was observed between the contents of humic substances in the mounds and surrounding soil, with humin fraction differences in distinct topographic position. The high nutrient contents detected in the termite mounds confirm the importance of termites in concentrating nutrients.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar as vias de formação de agregados biogênicos, intermediários e fisiogênicos, bem como sua estabilidade e seus atributos químicos em diferentes sistemas de manejo agroecológico. Foram escolhidas cinco áreas para coleta de amostras, em Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo, no Município de Seropédica, RJ: SAF, sistema agroflorestal, com 10 anos de implantação; C-SOL, café a pleno sol, com 15 anos; C-SOM, café sombreado, com 15 anos; AL-FLE, aleias com flemíngia (Flemingia macrophylla), com 10 anos; e PD, sistema plantio direto, com milho e berinjela, com 6 anos. As amostras foram coletadas às profundidades de 0,00-0,05 e 0,05-0,10 m, e a fração dessas amostras retida em peneiras de 9,7 e 8,0 mm foi utilizada para identificar os diferentes tipos de agregado. Após a separação, foram avaliados a estabilidade e os atributos químicos de cada tipo. Os sistemas de manejo não produziram efeito sobre a proporção média de cada tipo de agregado, e a contribuição relativa dos agregados intermediários para a massa total de agregados foi superior à dos demais. Os sistemas C-SOL e C-SOM apresentam os maiores teores de carbono orgânico total, carbono orgânico associado aos minerais, carbono orgânico particulado, independentemente dos sistemas e das profundidades avaliadas.

Abstract The objective of this work was to identify the formation pathways of biogenic, intermediate, and physiogenic aggregates, as well as their stability and chemical characteristics in different agroecological management systems. Five areas were chosen for sampling in Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo (Ultisol), in the municipality of Seropédica, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: SAF, 10-year agroforestry system; C-SOL, 15-year full-sun coffee; C-SOM, 15-year shaded coffee; AL-FLE, 10-year alleys with flemingia (Flemingia macrophylla); and PD, 6-year no-tillage system with corn and eggplant. Soil samples were collected at the 0.00-0.05 and 0.05-0.10-m soil depths, and the fraction retained in sieves of 9.7 and 8.0 mm were used to identify the different types of aggregates. After separation, the stability and chemical characteristics of each aggregate type were evaluated. The proportion between the aggregate types was not affected by the managements systems, and the relative contribution of intermediate aggregates to the total aggregate mass was higher than that of the other ones. The C-SOL and C-SOM systems show the highest total organic carbon, organic carbon associated with minerals, and particulate organic carbon, irrespectively of the evaluated systems and depths.

RESUMO A matéria orgânica do solo é uma importante fonte primária de nutrientes às plantas e influencia a infiltração, retenção de água, suscetibilidade à erosão e agregação do solo. No entanto, esse processo está condicionado à qualidade e quantidade da matéria orgânica aportada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do desastre ambiental causado pela chuva em áreas de produção de oleráceas na região Serrana do Rio de Janeiro. Foram selecionadas as seguintes áreas: A1: sem impacto (testemunha); A2: soterramento total e cultivo de aveia + ervilhaca; A3: transbordamento do rio e cultivo de milheto + girassol; A4: transbordamento do rio e grande deposição de areia com cultivo de aveia-preta; A5: transbordamento do rio com grande deposição de areia e sem cultivo; e A6: transbordamento do rio em pequena escala e sem cultivo. As propriedades edáficas analisadas foram: textura; densidade do solo (Ds); densidade de partículas (Dp); diâmetro médio ponderado (DMP) e diâmetro médio geométrico (DMG) de agregados estáveis em água; pH(H2O), Al3+, Ca2++Mg2+, Na+, H+Al, K, P e carbono orgânico total (COT); e frações granulométricas e químicas da matéria orgânica. Os maiores valores de DMP e DMG foram observados nas áreas A3 e A6, que seguem a mesma tendência dos maiores teores de argila. Os teores de COT e suas frações químicas e físicas apresentaram diferenças em relação à testemunha com os menores valores verificados nas áreas que foram submetidas ao impacto pelo transbordamento do rio e grande deposição de areia. As áreas que foram impactadas pelo soterramento com predomínio da fração argila apresentaram valores semelhantes ou superiores aos da testemunha. As variáveis foram selecionadas e avaliadas por meio da análise de componentes principais, que evidenciou distinção entre as áreas estudadas, com separação entre elas associada à textura do solo e densidade de partículas.

ABSTRACT Soil organic matter is an important primary source of nutrients for plants and influences infiltration, water retention, susceptibility to erosion, and soil aggregation. However, this process is conditioned on the quality and quantity of organic matter supplied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the environmental disaster caused by rain in areas of horticulture production in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro. The following areas were selected: A1- no impact (control); A2 - totally covered by landslide and cultivation of oats + vetch; A3 - river overflow and cultivation of millet + sunflower; A4 - river overflow and extensive deposition of sand and growing of black oats; A5 - river overflow with extensive deposition of sand and no cultivation; and A6 – river overflow on a small scale and no cultivation. The soil properties analyzed were texture; bulk density (BD); particle density (Pd); mean weight diameter (MWD) and geometric mean diameter (GMD) of water-stable aggregates; pH(H2O), Al3+, Ca2++Mg2+, Na+, H+Al, K, P, and total organic carbon (TOC); and particle size and chemical organic matter fractions. The highest values of the DMG and DMP were observed in areas A6 and A3, which also have the highest clay contents. The TOC content and its chemical and physical fractions showed differences compared to the control, with the lowest values observed in areas that underwent the impact of river overflow and extensive sand deposition, since the areas that were affected by landslide with predominance of the clay fraction showed values similar or superior to reference values. Principal component analysis clearly showed a distinction among the areas studied, and this distinction is clearly associated with soil texture and particle density.

O papel fundamental da matéria orgânica nas características físicas, químicas e biológicas do solo, justifica o crescente interesse pela identificação de sistemas de uso e de manejo que contribuam para o aumento do estoque de carbono em solos tropicais. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o estoque de carbono (EstC) na fração particulada (>53 µm) da matéria orgânica do solo e na fração associada aos minerais (<53 µm). Amostras de um Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico foram coletadas em cinco profundidades no município de Montividiu - GO, nos seguintes sistemas agrícolas: a) cultivo de braquiária (Brachiaria ruziziensi) na entressafra de soja (Glycine max) (SB), b) cultivo de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) na entressafra da soja (SS) e como área de referência, Cerrado. Foram analisados os teores de carbono orgânico total (COT) e o fracionamento granulométrico da matéria orgânica do solo. A partir dos valores encontrados foram quantificados os estoques de carbono em cada uma das frações. Foram verificadas diferenças significativas para os teores de COT em todas as profundidades avaliadas. Os maiores valores de EstC foram encontrados em SB, em todas as profundidades de amostragem. A fração particulada da matéria orgânica (MOP) mostrou-se um parâmetro eficaz em demonstrar diferenças de manejo entre os sistemas, apresentando maiores teores no sistema SB devido ao maior aporte de biomassa nesse sistema, já para a fração ligada aos minerais os maiores teores foram verificados na área de referência, seguida pelo sistema SS.

The key role of organic matter (OM) in the physical, chemical and biological soil features justifies the growing interest in identifying use and management systems which contribute to increase the stock of carbon (StC) in tropical soils. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stock of carbon in the particulate (>53 µm) and mineral-associated soil organic matter fractions (<53 mm). Soil samples from a Rhodic Udox collected in Montividiu, Goiás State (Brazil), were taken at five depths in the following agricultural systems: a) brachiaria cultivated in the soybean fallow period (SB), b) sorghum cultivated in the soybean fallow period (SS) and Cerrado as reference area. The levels of total organic carbon (TOC), granulometric fractioning of soil organic matter and the stock of carbon in each of the fractions were quantified. There were significant differences in the TOC levels at all depths. The highest values were found in the StC of SB system, at all depths. The fraction of particulate organic matter (POM) was an effective parameter to demonstrate differences between management systems, achieving the highest levels in the SB system due to the higher biomass input in this system, however for the mineral-associated fraction, the highest levels were recorded in the reference area, followed by the SS system.

A matéria orgânica do solo (MOS) é o produto de resíduos da biota, principalmente dos vegetais, parcialmente decompostos e sintetizados, em vários estádios de complexidade e diversidade estrutural. A dinâmica da matéria orgânica influencia os principais processos químicos, físicos e biológicos nos solos, e determina muitas vezes sua fertilidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi quantificar o conteúdo de ácido fúlvico, ácido húmico e humina, e avaliar o estoque destas frações em Latossolo Vermelho, cultivado com soja sobre palhada de braquiária e sorgo no cerrado goiano, município de Montividiu (GO). As amostras foram coletadas em três profundidades nos seguintes sistemas agrícolas: área com cultivo de braquiária na entressafra da soja (SB) e outra com o cultivo de sorgo na entressafra da soja (SS). Foram analisados os teores de carbono orgânico total (COT) e realizado o fracionamento químico da matéria orgânica do solo. A partir dos valores analisados, foram quantificados os estoques de carbono em cada uma das frações. Foram verificadas diferenças significativas para os teores de COT entre sistemas avaliados em todas as profundidades. Quanto às frações químicas da matéria orgânica, observou-se que houve um predomínio da fração humina (C-HU) em relação às frações ácido húmico (C-FAH) e ácido fúlvico (C-FAF) nas duas coletas avaliadas.

The soil organic matter (SOM) is the waste product of the biota, mainly of vegetables, partially decomposed and synthesized in various stages of complexity and structural diversity. The dynamics of organic matter influences the main chemical, physical and biological processes of soils, and often determines soil fertility. The objective of this study was to quantify the fulvic acid, humic acid and humin content and evaluate the stock of these fractions in an Oxisol cultivated with soybean on straw of grass and sorghum in a savanna, Montividiu county (GO). Soil samples were taken at three depths in an area with grass growing between soybean crops (SB) and the other with the cultivation of sorghum between soybean crops (SS). The chemical composition of total organic carbon (TOC) and chemical fractionation of soil organic matter were evaluated. From these values, the carbon stocks in each fraction were quantified. There were significant differences for the TOC levels between all systems evaluated and in all soil depths. Regarding the chemical fractions of organic matter, there was a predominance of the humin fraction (C-HU) as compared to the the humic (C-FAH) and fulvic (C-FAF) acid fractions in the two samples evaluated.

A Antártica é o mais perfeito laboratório natural do planeta para estudos de mudanças ambientais. Partindo dessa premissa, este estudo teve como objetivo realizar uma revisão sobre a origem dos sais presentes no continente antártico, sendo pormenorizado as principais formas e fontes salinas que ocorrem. Na literatura, este tema é de grande discussão, sendo relatado que a origem dos sais pode ser devido à precipitação atmosférica, intemperismo de rochas, origem marinha (spray salino), sulfatos biologicamente produzidos ou atividade hidrotermal. De maneira geral, a presente revisão permitiu inferir diversas origens dos sais solúveis em água nos solos da Antártica. Perto da costa, influências marinhas são dominantes, encobrindo quaisquer contribuições do intemperismo das rochas. Mas para o interior, a influência do intemperismo é mais evidente, ao passo que a influência de circulação atmosférica superior torna-se importante também. Ressalta-se também, a importância da contribuição continental no aporte de sais nos períodos glaciais.

The Antarctica is the most perfect natural laboratory to study the planet from environmental changes. From this premise, this study was to conduct a review on the origin of salts in the Antarctic, and detailed the main forms and sources occurring salt. In literature, this topic is of great discussion, and reported that the origin of salts may be due to precipitation, rock weathering, marine (salt spray), biologically produced sulfates or hydrothermal activity. Overall, this review allows us to infer various sources of water-soluble salts in soils of Antarctica. Near the coast, marine influences are dominant, covering up any contributions from weathering of rocks. But for the interior, the influence of weathering is more evident, while the influence of atmospheric circulation becomes more important as well. We also emphasize the importance of the contribution in the continental input of salts in glacial periods.