VIS-NIR-SWIR spectroscopy in soil evaluation along a toposequence in Piracicaba

Abstract

The aim of this work was to characterise by reflectance spectroradiometry different soils along a toposequence in Piracicaba, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Soil samples were collected and analysed in the field, in a laboratory for chemical analysis and by Vis-NIR sensors (400-2500 nm). Changes in the soils of the toposequence could be identified in the spectral information. Such soil constituents as organic matter, mineralogy, types of iron oxide and particle size determined variations in absorption features and reflectance intensities. Each profile displayed distinctive spectral characteristics between horizons, related to intensity, absorption features and curve morphology. The sensor could not be used to carry out the morphological evaluation, this being one of its limitations. There is a relationship between the degree of weathering (KI indices, silt to clay ratio and mineralogy) and the spectral data. This was seen in the basalt-based soils, where there was an increase in the iron extracted by dithionite (crystalline and amorphous) for the sequence, Latosolic Red Nitosol (NVL) to Cambisol (C), and an increase in amorphous iron for the same sequence. Evaluation of the complete toposequence showed that the absorption sequence centred on 500 and 850 nm decreased from the Latosolic Red Nitosol towards the Cambisol, i.e. following the decrease in crystalline iron content (hematite and goethite) and the increase in amorphous iron. This was substantiated by increases in KI index values. There was a relationship between the spectral data, KI index and landscape position of the soil. These results show that spectroradiometry is a promising tool to assist in soil surveys. However there is a need to support the implementation of libraries of soil spectral data, with unrestricted user access.