Changes in Physical Properties of Soils with Land Use Time in the Brazilian Savanna Environment

Soils from central Brazil have been intensively used over the last decades because of the rapid conversion of savannas ( Cerrado ) into corn/soybean fields. The objective of this work is to study modifications in the physical properties of soils in the Rio Verde watershed, as a function of the land use time for agriculture, determined from classification of Landsat satellite images between 1980 and 2010. Soil samples were collected at surface (0–20 cm) and subsurface (20–40 cm) horizons for the different classes of land use time (<10, 10–20, 20–30, and >30 years). The following physical properties were measured: bulk density (BD), air permeability (K_a), penetration resistance (PR), microporosity (MI), macroporosity (MA), and total porosity (TP). Results showed a strong expansion with time of agriculture that occupied 35·3% (1980), 37·4% (1990), 51·3% (2000), and 60·9% (2010) of the watershed area. When properties were compared with those from the reference areas (preserved soils under native vegetation), significant differences were observed for all the physical attributes of soils for a land use time higher than 20 years. Overall, BD and PR increased with land use time, and the opposite was verified for K_a, MA, and TP. Some physical properties presented values (e.g., 1·54 g cm⁻³ for BD and 0.06 cm³ cm⁻³ for MA) close to the critical ones reported to affect crop development, but they were not still impacting on local soybean yield. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Changes in surface reactivity and organic matter composition of clay subfractions with duration of fertilizer deprivation

Preservation of organic matter in soils depends on the chemical structure of organic compounds and on the surface properties of the mineral matrix. We tested the effect of mineral surface reactivity on organic matter decomposition by (i) investigating changes of organic matter composition in clay subfractions of an illitic Haplic Chernozem along a time series of fertilizer deprivation and (ii) simultaneously characterizing the reactivity of mineral surfaces. The soil was subjected to fertilizer deprivation for 18, 44 and 98 years, respectively. Mineral surface properties were characterized by selective dissolution of pedogenic oxides. The number of hydroxyls released after exposure to sodium fluoride was taken as an index for mineral surface reactivity. Organic soil constituents were determined by ¹³C cross‐polarization magic‐angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C CPMAS NMR). Clay subfractions had different mineral surface properties. The coarse fractions have more reactive surfaces and contain more organic carbon than the fine clay fractions. Mineral surface properties are constant over time and are not affected by fertilizer deprivation. Surface reactivity is a function of iron oxide density and controls carbon concentrations in the clay subfractions. Within the time frame of our investigation, alkyl C and aromatic C responded to the duration of fertilizer deprivation, but were indifferent to mineral surface reactivity. O–alkyl C seems to be protected by interactions with pedogenic oxides.     

Retention of dissolved organic matter by illitic soils and clay fractions: Influence of mineral phase properties

The dependency of the retention of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on mineral phase properties in soils remains uncertain especially at neutral pH. To specifically elucidate the role of mineral surfaces and pedogenic oxides for DOC retention at pH 7, we sorbed DOC to bulk soil (illitic surface soils of a toposequence) and corresponding clay fraction (< 2 μm) samples after the removal of organic matter and after removal of organic matter and pedogenic oxides. The DOC retention was related to the content of dithionite‐extractable iron, specific surface area (SSA, BET‐N₂ method) and cation exchange capacity (pH 7). The reversibility of DOC sorption was determined by a desorption experiment. All samples sorbed 20–40 % of the DOC added. The DOC sorption of the clay fractions explained the total sorption of the bulk soils. None of the mineral phase properties investigated was able to solely explain the DOC retention. A sorption of 9 to 24 μg DOC m^–2 indicated that DOC interacted only with a fraction of the mineral surface, since loadings above 500 μg m^–2 would be expected for a carbon monolayer. Under the experimental conditions used, the surface of the silicate clay minerals seemed to be more important for the DOC sorption than the surface of the iron oxides. The desorption experiment removed 11 to 31 % of the DOC sorbed. Most of the DOC was strongly sorbed.     

Poorly crystalline mineral phases protect organic matter in acid subsoil horizons

Soil minerals are known to influence the biological stability of soil organic matter (SOM). Our study aimed to relate properties of the mineral matrix to its ability to protect organic C against decomposition in acid soils. We used the amount of hydroxyl ions released after exposure to NaF solution to establish a reactivity gradient spanning 12 subsoil horizons collected from 10 different locations. The subsoil horizons represent six soil orders and diverse geological parent materials. Phyllosilicates were characterized by X-ray diffraction and pedogenic oxides by selective dissolution procedures. The organic carbon (C) remaining after chemical removal of an oxidizable fraction of SOM with NaOCl solution was taken to represent a stable organic carbon pool. Stable organic carbon was confirmed as older than bulk organic carbon by a smaller radiocarbon (¹⁴C) content after oxidation in all 12 soils. The amount of stable organic C did not depend on clay content or the content of dithionite–citrate-extractable Fe. The combination of oxalate-extractable Fe and Al explained the greatest amount of variation in stable organic C (R² = 0.78). Our results suggest that in acid soils, organic matter is preferentially protected by interaction with poorly crystalline minerals represented by the oxalate-soluble Fe and Al fraction. This evidence suggests that ligand exchange between mineral surface hydroxyl groups and negatively charged organic functional groups is a quantitatively important mechanism in the stabilization of SOM in acid soils. The results imply a finite stabilization capacity of soil minerals for organic matter, limited by the area density of reactive surface sites.     

An Andosol from Eastern Saxony,Germany

We tested whether a ‘Lockerbraunerde’ from the heights of the Zittauer Gebirge in Eastern Saxony exhibited andic properties and classified it according to the rules of the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB, 1998). To achieve this, we characterized a selected soil by means of routine soil analysis; selective dissolution procedures; X‐ray diffraction (XRD); X‐ray fluorescence (XRF), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). We used field criteria (Thixotropy; NaF‐field test) to obtain a map of the spatial distribution of soils with potential andic properties. We found that the soil fulfilled all requirements to be classified as an Andosol. The composition of the colloidal phases was exactly intermediate between sil‐andic and alu‐andic. At the same time, the soil had a spodic horizon [determined through the depth function of the Al_o+½Fe_o criterion]. As there was no indication of vertical translocation of metal‐organic complexes, but sufficient evidence to suggest the downward movement of mobile Al/Si‐phases, we maintain to classify the soil as an Endoskeleti‐Umbric Andosol and propose the existence of a pedogenetic pathway intermediate between Podsolisation and Andosolization. We conclude that the spodic horizon in the WRB is not well defined because of the dominance of the Al_o+½Fe_o criterion over morphological evidence. We further suggest the German soil taxonomy to be modified to better represent soils containing short range order minerals.     

Dietary Protein Hydrolysates from Animal By-Products: Digestibility and Enzymatic Activity for Dourado Salminus brasiliensis

Fishmeal (FM) is a high-cost and scarce feedstuff. Notwithstanding, the formulation and processing of diets for carnivorous fish strongly rely on FM as a protein source, given its palatability and biological value. Animal by-product hydrolysates are high-quality feedstuff and can substitute FM in aquafeeds. This study evaluated the digestibility of hydrolysates from tilapia residue (TR), tuna head (TH), swine liver (SL), and poultry liver (PL), and the profile of digestive enzymes in juvenile dourado, Salminus brasiliensis, a carnivorous Characin, fed diets containing graded levels of the hydrolysates. Inclusion of hydrolysates in diet formulations lowered the pH of feed but did not alter feed intake by fish. Higher apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of diets were recorded for fish fed diets containing TR and SL, and lower ADCs were recorded for fish fed diets containing TH. Protease and lipase activities in the animal’s stomach were higher, especially for those fed with diets containing SL. Amylase activity was higher in pyloric caeca, whereas in the intestines, the higher activity was seen in fish fed control and TR diets. Animal by-product hydrolysates were highly digestible for dourado, and the enzymatic profile of fish was influenced by the nutrient contents of diets.     

Brain anatomy of two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus,Linnaeus, 1758): A comparative gross anatomical study of extant xenarthrans

The neural system plays an important role in understanding some features of animals. Anatomical complexity correlates with the increase of functional capacity. Xenarthrans include anteaters (Vermilingua), armadillos (Cingulata) and sloths (Folivora). This group is the base of eutherian mammals, and understanding the anatomy of its neural system could provide data for functional and evolutionary interpretations. The gross anatomy of the xenarthran brain is recorded. Four extant families of Pilosa and two families of Cingulata were sampled. Usual dissection procedures were used, and the brains were analysed macroscopically. The brain of two-toed sloth, three-toed sloth, six-banded armadillo, giant anteater and collared anteater are gyrencephalic. Pygmy anteater, nine-banded armadillo, great long-nosed armadillo, southern naked-tailed armadillo and giant armadillo are lissencephalic. In most species, the rhinal fissure presents two segments, rostral and caudal (except in Vermilingua and three-toed sloth). The diencephalon and brainstem present similar anatomy. The cerebellum is wide and presents four lobes (rostral, central, caudal and floccular). Its average volume is 12.16% (Folivora), 14.26% (Vermilingua) and 18.61% (Cingulata). Among these groups, there is a statistical difference between Folivora/Cingulata concerning the cerebellum average. The general pattern of the brain of the xenarthrans is similar to that of other mammals.     

Acid-base and biochemical stabilization and quality of recovery in male cats with urethral obstruction and anesthetized with propofol or a combination of ketamine and diazepam

This study compared acid-base and biochemical changes and quality of recovery in male cats with experimentally induced urethral obstruction and anesthetized with either propofol or a combination of ketamine and diazepam for urethral catheterization. Ten male cats with urethral obstruction were enrolled for urethral catheterization and anesthetized with either ketamine-diazepam (KD) or propofol (P). Lactated Ringer’s solution was administered by intravenous (IV) beginning 15 min before and continuing for 48 h after relief of urethral obstruction. Quality of recovery and time to standing were evaluated. The urethral catheter was maintained to measure urinary output. Hematocrit (Hct), total plasma protein (TPP), albumin, total protein (TP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, pH, bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻), chloride, base excess, anion gap, sodium, potassium, and partial pressure of carbon dioxide in mixed venous blood (pvCO₂) were measured before urethral obstruction, at start of fluid therapy (0 h), and at subsequent intervals. The quality of recovery and time to standing were respectively 4 and 75 min in the KD group and 5 and 16 min in the P group. The blood urea nitrogen values were increased at 0, 2, and 8 h in both groups. Serum creatinine increased at 0 and 2 h in cats administered KD and at 0, 2, and 8 h in cats receiving P, although the values were above the reference range in both groups until 8 h. Acidosis occurred for up to 2 h in both groups. Acid-base and biochemical stabilization were similar in cats anesthetized with propofol or with ketamine-diazepam. Cats that received propofol recovered much faster, but the ketamine-diazepam combination was shown to be more advantageous when treating uncooperative cats as it can be administered by intramuscular (IM) injection.