Open AccessSPATIAL ANALYSIS OF MERCURY LEVELS AS INDICATOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES AND SOIL QUALITY IN AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS IN SOUTHERN AMAZON
Author(s) -
Joiada Moreira da Silva Linhares,
Wanderley Rodrigues Bastos,
Renato Paes de Almeida,
Ângelo Gilberto Manzatto,
Ígor Bruno Barbosa de Holanda,
Maria Cristiery do Nascimento Recktenvald,
Déborah Pereira Linhares
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
caminhos de geografia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1678-6343
DOI - 10.14393/rcg207145352
Subject(s) - amazon rainforest , environmental science , soil quality , mercury (programming language) , agriculture , soil water , land use , soil carbon , agricultural land , agroforestry , forestry , environmental protection , geography , soil science , ecology , biology , computer science , programming language , archaeology
An agroforestry system (AFS) describes the conjoint use of land for agricultural andforestry purposes. An AFS plays a strategic role in the mitigation of carbon dioxide(CO2) emissions, and stands as an alternative in land use that reduces mercury (Hg)remobilization in cultivated soils. This study evaluated the spatial variability of Hgconcentrations as indicators of environment changes and soil quality in different landcover and use systems in a rural settlement in southern Amazon, Brazil. Themethodological procedures were carried out as steps: the experimental units weredefined, physical and chemical characteristics of soil samples were analyzed, anddata were evaluated using conventional and spatial statistics. The AFS included hadbeen established 10 years before or more, and had high Hg retention capacity ,compared with Hg levels in soils on migratory agriculture or that are not fallowed .Therefore, due to low AFS improve soil quality due to the low intensity of harrowing,increasing retention of gaseous and particulate Hg in the soil.