LITHOLOGICAL DISCONTINUITY OF GRANITE REGOLITH IN A SMALL WATERSHED IN THE AMAZON FOREST, IN JURUENA, MATO GROSSO

LITHOLOGICAL DISCONTINUITY OF GRANITE REGOLITH IN A SMALL WATERSHED IN THE AMAZON FOREST, IN JURUENA, MATO GROSSO Tropical landscapes are characterized by complex surface mantles which carry the marks of processes that took place during previous geological periods. However, it is common for vertical layers in the landscape to show morphological characteristics apparently homogeneous, thus hampering the identification of the nature of the source material of their strata. The objective of this study was to analyze the regolith (solum + saprolite) formation from granite of the Xingu Complex in a small watershed covered with Amazonian forest, based on pedological soil indicators. The predominant soils in the study area were Oxisols and Plinthosols. Soil samples were collected from four positions: one on the plateau, two on a hillslope and one at a footslope, from the layers 0-0.6, 0.6-1.0 m and then every meter down to 8.0 m, or until bedrock was reached. The Ki, Kr, zirconium/titanium (Zr/Ti) and fine sand/coarse sand (AF/AG) ratios were used to identify aspects of the processes of regolith formation in the small watershed. The regoliths at site I (summit) and 3 (hillslope 2) were formed from ex-situ soil material; site 2 (hillslope 1) was formed in a normal sequence of weathering, with no indication of contribution of allochthonous material; however, at site 4, a footslope, some differences were observed in the topsoil, suggesting the deposition of material from the higher parts of the landscape. The ratios Zr/Ti and AF/AG were more effective as indicators of the lithological discontinuity of granite regolith.