Analysis of salt affected soils in semiarid landscapes of Pernambuco, Brazil.

Abstract

The sodification and salinization of soil are the main types of degradation of semiarid of Pernambuco. In extreme cases, the vegetation does not develop in these soils, making them desertified. Consequently, there is an abandonment of these areas. Nowadays, a may does not exist identifying these areas for Pernambuco state, which could be done through tools such as Remote Sensing and GIS. This study was conducted in order to identify and diagnose areas affected by salinization and sodification in the semiarid area of Pernambuco. A study was conducted in the laboratory to understand the spectral behavior of different types of salts in two representative soils. These soils were leached with saline solutions of CaCl2.2H2O, MgCl2.2H2O, KCl and NaCl at concentrations of 0.5, 1 and 2 mol L-1. There was an increase in reflectance of crusts with increasing wavelength; however, there was a reduction in the reflectance with increasing salt concentrations of the solution applied to the four kinds of salts, in both soils. The intensity of reflectance was increased in the salts studied: NaCl > KCl > MgCl2.2H2O > CaCl2.2H2O, where the Arenosol showed higher reflectance in relation to Fluvisol, between concentrations and different salts. Afterward, with the intent to understand the spectral behavior of different salt levels and their correlation with the soil properties, a field investigation was conducted in which soil samples were collected from four representative watersheds: Brígida, Terra Nova, Pajeú and Moxotó that have varying degrees of salinity and sodicity within the semiarid region of Pernambuco. It was observed that there was an increase in reflectance with increasing wavelength to the spectral response in all salinity and sodicity levels and the variable Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) had good correlation coefficients obtained with the positive spectral reflectance bands in virtually all soil sample tested, while the variable fine sand obtained negative coefficients. For the identification of these areas affected by salts and sodium, a map showing the spatial distribution of pH, electrical conductivity, ESP and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) was done using a GIS tool. This study indicates that strongest association between cations and anions was the formation of sulfate and chlorides species where Na+ ions (exchangeable and soluble), HCO3- and Cl- ions are those that contribute most to the increase of salinity and sodicity in soils of the semiarid state of Pernambuco. The most area affected by sodium exchangeable and soluble is located especially on Moxotó watershed by the ESP and SAR levels. The Moxotó watershed indicated the worst levels of degradation by salinity and sodicity among the others. The EPIC model was used to assess how different management practices can predict corn yield and the soil salinity status. Three soil profiles from Moxotó watershed were used and the scenarios simulated included drip, furrow irrigation, and trigger irrigation (0.1 and 1 levels). This study found that the best irrigation strategy for corn yields grown was drip irrigation and trigger irrigation at a level of 0.1. However, for low water content applied, the trigger irrigation 1 should be used. Finally, with the intent to describe soil profiles in some critical areas, four soil profiles were evaluated. Soil samples were collected from the municipalities of Ibirimim, Parnamirim and Serra Talhada in Pernambuco. The soils studied have profiles with characteristic features of the Neossolos Flúvicos and Cambisolos soil. A strong relationship with these orders salinity problems in the semiarid region of Pernambuco was determined. The profiles in the study had high levels of salts and sodium with increasing depth. Furthermore, the predominance of fine particles in salt affected soils have been a factor which tended to complicate the recovery of these soils.