Pedological formations on old mountain geomorphological surfaces of central Spain.

The chemo-morphological properties of soils on ancient landforms (quarzitic pliocene alluvial fans, pleistocene terraces), namely "rañizos", on middle-high mountains (Eastern-Central System, Iberian Peninsula, Rio Negro, Cogolludo) were investigated. Several properties were analyzed by standard procedures. A detailed soil diagnostics and classification on "rañizos" were done, unlike those widely studied on "rañas" (similar landform), by identifying parallel pedogenetic processes in both formations.

Accumulation, distribution pattern and potential contamination of sulphur in vineyard soils of the Valdepeñas protected denomination origin.

Soil is the basis for almost all global agriculture and the medium in which most terrestrial biological activity occurs. Viticulture represents an important agricultural practice in the Castilla-La Mancha (CLM) community. In this region, there are several protected denominations of origin (PDO), the largest being Valdepeñas.

Occurrence of some rare earth elements in vineyard soils under semiarid Mediterranean environment.

A comprehensive investigation has been carried out into the concentrations of a range of REEs (neodymium Nd, cerium Ce, lanthanum La, yttrium Y, scandium Sc) in soils of vineyards belonging to the protected denomination of origin (PDO) Valdepeñas (Central Spain). The mean concentrations (expressed in mg kg) are Ce 70.6, Nd 32.

Mineralogical and Geochemical Nature of Calcareous Vineyard Soils from Alcubillas (La Mancha, Central Spain).

The mineralogical and geochemical patterns of calcareous vineyard soils located in Alcubillas (La Mancha, Central Spain) have been evaluated; also their variability has been studied. The information provided by this study supports the assessment of geochemical spatial variability, the origin of these soils, their elements and the factors that control their distribution. The presence of quartz, calcite, feldspar and, in particular, illite and kaolinite is due to their inheritance from surrounding lithologies (and pedological processes), which mostly include limestones, marls and other sedimentary rocks, as well as metasedimentary rocks of Hercynian origin.

Geochemical distribution of major and trace elements in agricultural soils of Castilla-La Mancha (central Spain): finding criteria for baselines and delimiting regional anomalies.

Castilla-La Mancha (central Spain) is a region characterized by significant agricultural production aimed at high-quality food products such as wine and olive oil. The quality of agricultural products depends directly on the soil quality. Soil geochemistry, including dispersion maps and the recognition of baselines and anomalies of various origins, is the most important tool to assess soil quality.