Xanthic- and Rhodic-Acrudoxes under cerrado vegetation: differential internal drainage and covarying micromorphological properties

Abstract

Soil internal drainage plays a major role in soil genesis, and it is mostly dependent on topography. However, the existence of sedimentary and meta-sedimentary rock strata with variable dip angle allows for strong differences in internal drainage for identical topographies, which result in a marked differentiation in the properties of overlain soils. This work aimed to investigate the micromorphology of soils formed from different dip angles of rock strata and their relationships to internal drainage, in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Over horizontal strata, a Xanthic Acrudox lacking hematite and with blocky structure has developed. Over strata with 45° dip angle, strong drainage has resulted in intense desilication, forming a Rhodic Acrudox having hematite and with strong fine granular structure. Micromorphological analyses showed that both soils contain relict nodules which are probably being dissolved in the current environment, whereas only the Xanthic Acrudox has nodules in current processes of formation due to slower drainage. The Cr horizon of both soils, but mainly the Xanthic Acrudox, presented a much slower saturated hydraulic conductivity than the respective overlying horizons, which was associated with a pattern of poorly connected fissural pores as seen in thin sections. The Cr horizon of the Rhodic Acrudox showed a matrix impregnated by Mn and Fe oxides in an unusual pattern of microlamination and hypocoatings that appear to be unstable, dissolving in the current, strongly drained environment. The soil color is a reliable indicator of such differential pedogenesis in these conditions.