X-ray diffraction modeling and electron microscopy techniques applied to the study of minerals in hypersaline soils

Abstract

This project aims to study soil clay minerals and mineral alteration in hypersaline tidal flat soils of Brazilian southeast and northeast regions. Recently, only a few soil studies have been developed on hypersaline soils of Brazilian coastline and there is limited information regarding to pedogenesis and geochemistry of these soils. The studied areas are located in the Acaraú River Basin, in the municipality of Acaraú-CE, and in the Sepetiba Bay, municipality of Rio de Janeiro-RJ. The objectives will be: i) identify, quantify and provide a characterization of the crystal chemistry of corase and fine clay of soil profiles; ii) investigate mineralogical alteration and phytoliths dissolution in an experiment carried out in halomorphic soils located in Ceará state. X-ray diffraction and electronic microscopy will be the mainly techniques applied to achieve the results. We aimed with this project to clarify aspects related to dynamics of Si in these soils and to provide data to understand the functioning of these ecosystems. (AU)