26-7 Digital Mapping of Soil Profile to Monitor Copper Distribution in the Brazilian Cerrado

Session: Geologic Maps, Geophysical Maps, 3-D Geologic Models, Digital Mapping Techniques, Map Derivatives, and Digital Map preparation (Posters)

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Abstract:

Digital mapping of soil profile (DMSP) comprehends the application of well-known geospatial techniques, commonly used for soil surface mapping, to characterize soil profiles. This innovative approach has the potential to support consistent advances in geosciences and related fields from multiple perspectives. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of Digital mapping of soil profile (DMSP) to characterize the Copper (Cu) distribution in soils under agricultural use for different periods in the Brazilian Cerrado. This study was carried out in the southwest of the state of Piauí, Brazilian Northeast, at four locations within the same farm, where virgin soil with soil cultivated for 12, 18 and 24 years, respectively. All soils were classified as Oxisol. A grid with an area of 1 m² was designed to collect 100 equidistant soil samples in each studied soil profile. The Cu concentration in each sample was observed by atomic absorption spectrometry and the results submitted to descriptive statistics analysis and geostatistical modeling. The results show that, when comparing virgin soil with cultivated for 12, 18 and 24 years, the concentration of Cu increased by 7%, 27% and 80%, respectively. This increase is a clear response to the use of fertilizers. Although the fertilizers are applied at the soil surface, it is still possible to observe an increase of approximately 54% in Cu concentration below 0.5 m, as a result of the mobility of this element through the soil solution. Observing the mean values of Cu per each 0.1 m layer, it is clear the pattern of increase, especially comparing the virgin soil with soil cultivated for 24 years. Through the DMSP, it is possible to observe the irregular distribution of Cu in virgin soils, showing that the geodynamic of this element does not obey the horizons differentiation. The DMSP also allows the visualization of significant differences over the years, as well as the probable movement of Cu through the soil. It is concluded that the DMSP is effective to evaluate the distribution of Cu in soils under agricultural use for different periods in the Brazilian Cerrado. This new approach allows users to highlight differences between soils and their layers, both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 1, 2026

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