Salt-affected soils in the Lopez de Bertodano Formation, polar semi-desert of Seymour Island, Antarctica: topographic or lithological controls?

Salinization is one of the main pedogenetic processes occurring on the semiarid zone of the Weddel sea, like in Seymour Island, where salt-affected soils are widespread. This study aimed to investigate whether topography controls the distribution of salt-affected soils on Seymour Island, particularly with reference to the Lopez de Bertodano Formation. Chemical and physical results from 45 soil profiles were used, where morphometric variables were extracted.

Soil attributes and leaf litter composition in forest communities of the Brazilian Pantanal.

Leaf litter is an important component related to nutrient cycling and conservation of soil biodiversity. In this context, the objective of our study was to investigate the relationship between soil and leaf litter in different forest communities in sub-regions of the Pantanal (Nhecolândia and Abobral/Miranda). To this end, we collected soil and leaf litter samples from 152 sample plots divided in physiognomies regionally called as Cordilheira, Capão, Murundu, Corixo and Cambará/Canjiqueira forest.

Anthropogenic effect on the pedochemical variability of potentially toxic elements at the vicinity of an Antarctic research station.

Antarctica represents an isolated continent devoted to conservation and scientific research, although it accumulates records of increasing anthropic contamination. The historical continued use of fuel for power generation in Antarctic settlements is a potential source of toxic elements to the soil. We investigate Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn levels in surface soils in the vicinity of the Henryk Arctowski Antarctic Station, aiming to identify anthropic effects on their local pedochemical variability.

Ground temperature trend and active layer dynamics in the Fildes Peninsula, King George Island - Marine Antarctica.

Ground temperature's sensitivity to climate change has garnered attention. This study aimed to monitor and analyze temporal trends and estimate Active Layer Thickness from a monitoring point at Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, in Antarctica. Quality control and consistency analysis were performed on the data.

Resistance to adverse conditions and characterization of Cladosporium species from marine and terrestrial Antarctic samples.

Microbial adaptations to extreme environments can lead to biotechnological applications. This study aimed to evaluate the resistance of Antarctic Cladosporium to adverse conditions (temperature, salinity, UV radiation, and nutrients) and refine their taxonomy. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis using ITS-act markers resulted in a more accurate taxonomic identification, revealing the presence of five different species, belonging to the complexes C.

Expanding geographic distribution knowledge of (Batsch) Kühner (Agaricales, Hymenogastraceae) with a novel Antarctic record.

Background: The investigation of Agaricales diversity in the Antarctica is limited, with only seven genera reported for the region. stands out as the genus with the highest species diversity, including 12 species in Antarctica. This research reports the presence of in the region, providing the first complete morphological description for the specimen developing in Antarctica.

Ornithogenesis and soil-landscape interplays at northern Harmony Point, Nelson Island, Maritime Antarctica.

Understanding the influence of soil-forming factors and processes in ornithogenic soils is important to predict impacts of climate change on Antarctic ecosystems. Herein, we analyzed the soil-landscape interplays and development of ornithogenic soils at Harmony Point (HP), Nelson Island. We collected, described, and classified 24 soil profiles, combined with vegetation and landforms descriptions.

Thermal variations of the active layer in Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, Maritime Antarctica.

This work aimed to characterize the variation in the thermal regime of the active layer in a permafrost area on Fildes Peninsula, Antarctica, and relate this variability with meteorological data between 2014 and 2016. The monitoring site was installed to continuously monitor the temperature and moisture of the active layer, radiation flow on the surface, and air temperature. We used data collected to generate the indexes freezing degree-days, thawing degree-days, frost number, n-factor, apparent thermal diffusivity, and active layer thickness.

Soils under seal carcasses with varying degrees of decomposition: oasis of nutrients and vegetation in Antarctica.

Areas of high concentration of seal carcasses have been observed in localized areas of James Ross Island, Antarctica. Such carcasses show an unusual vegetation development, in a semi-arid area with bare soils under intense winds, high salinity and sandy texture. We investigated carcasses of seals around a lake in James Ross Island, with four different stages of decomposition, with three replicates: Seal (S01), with recently mummified carcasses; S02, with partially degraded carcasses; S03, with broken carcasses with partially degraded exposed bones, and S04, with completely broken, scattered skeletons.

Low numbers of large microplastics on environmentally-protected Antarctic beaches reveals no widespread contamination: insights into beach sedimentary dynamics.

Microplastics are ubiquitous contaminants of marine ecosystems around the world and Antarctica is no exception. Microplastics can be influenced by sedimentary dynamics mainly on coastal areas where they are more abundant in Antarctica. This study evaluated microplastic contamination in beach environments from two Antarctic Specially Protected Areas, aiming to identify relationships between microplastic numbers and sedimentological parameters on beach sediments.

Microbial successional pattern along a glacier retreat gradient from Byers Peninsula, Maritime Antarctica.

The retreat of glaciers in Antarctica has increased in the last decades due to global climate change, influencing vegetation expansion, and soil physico-chemical and biological attributes. However, little is known about soil microbiology diversity in these periglacial landscapes. This study characterized and compared bacterial and fungal diversity using metabarcoding of soil samples from the Byers Peninsula, Maritime Antarctica.

Soil-vegetation relationship in savanic formations of the Jalapão, Brazil.

Understanding the influence of fine-scale abiotic filters on plant communities can provide important insights into floristic patterns of the Brazilian Cerrado. We aimed to evaluate the interactions of the soil and the plant community composition with their distribution in different sandy environments of Brazilian Cerrado, the Jalapão region. Eight environments were sampled, each with ten plots of 20 × 50 m.

Thermal monitoring of a Cryosol in a high marine terrace (Half Moon Island, Maritime Antarctica).

Active layer and permafrost are important indicators of climate changes in periglacial areas of Antarctica, and the soil thermal regime of Maritime Antarctica is sensitive to the current warming trend. This research aimed to characterize the active layer thermal regime of a patterned ground located at an upper marine terrace in Half Moon Island, during 2015-2018. Temperature and moisture sensors were installed at different soil depths, combined with air temperature, collecting hourly data.

Soils, Geoenvironments and Ecosystem Services of a Protected Area in Western Brazilian Amazonia.

The Serra do Divisor National Park (SDNP) in the Westernmost Brazilian Amazonia possesses unique Mountain landscapes of sub-andean nature, with high geo-biodiversity and pristine environments, with a potential high contribution in ecosystems services. We studied and mapped the basic geo-environmental units of the main sector of the Park, evaluating soil carbon stocks as a key ecosystem service provided by the Protected Area. For the identification, characterization and mapping of the geoenvironmental units, we integrated pedological, geomorphological and vegetation data obtained by local soil survey and field campaigns, as well as secondary data.

Why is Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. a common species in the mining tailings of the Fundão dam in Minas Gerais, Brazil?

Currently, more than five years after the Fundão dam failure in Mariana, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. is the main grass in pasturelands affected by the mining tailings. The aim of this study was to investigate the reason for this fact as well as to determine the ecophysiological effects of mining tailings on B.

Soil-landform-vegetation interplays at Stinker Point, Elephant Island, Antarctica.

The geomorphic dynamics on ice-free areas are crucial for understanding soil formation, vegetation and landscape stability in maritime Antarctic. We aimed to describe the soil formation on different landforms, following the Holocene glacial retreat at Stinker Point. Twenty profiles were sampled and classified, grouped into three landforms units: middle platforms and scarps, till/glacial deposits and present/Holocene raised beaches.

Potential greenhouse gases emissions by different plant communities in maritime Antarctica.

Antarctic plant communities show a close relationship with soil types across the landscape, where vegetation cover changes, biological influence, and soil characteristics can affect the dynamic of greenhouse gases emissions. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate greenhouse gases emissions in lab conditions of ice-free areas along a topographic gradient (from sea level up to 300 meters). We selected 11 distinct vegetation compositions areas and assessed greenhouse gases production potentials through 20 days of laboratory incubations varying temperatures at -2, 4, 6, and 22 °C.

Pellets of Stercorarius spp. (skua) as plant dispersers in the Antarctic Peninsula.

The Antarctic Peninsula has experienced some of the most accelerated warming worldwide, resulting in the retreat of glaciers and creation of new areas for plant development. Information regarding the plant dispersal processes to these new niches is scarce in Antarctica, despite birds being important vectors elsewhere. Many bird pellets (with feed remains such as bones and feathers) are generated annually in Antarctica, which are light and easily transported by the wind and include vegetation that is accidentally or purposely swallowed.

Morphological diversity of benthic cyanobacterial assemblages in meltwater ponds along environmental gradients in the McMurdo Sound region, Antarctica.

Benthic cyanobacterial assemblages from ponds distributed along inland-coastal gradients in the McMurdo Sound region were studied during the 2011/12 Antarctic summer season. Twenty-five ponds were sampled in four distinct geographic locations, including the Lower and Upper Wright Valleys, Ross Island and the McMurdo Ice Shelf. For morphological identification, benthic mat samples were thawed and a subsample was directly observed by light microscopy.

Soil-chronosequence and Quaternary landscape evolution at the marine terraces of Harmony Point, Nelson Island, Maritime Antarctica.

This study characterized the physical, chemical, macro- and micromorphological soil properties from three successive marine terrace levels from Harmony Point (Nelson Island, Maritime Antarctica) in order to understand the pedological signatures of Quaternary coastal landscape evolution of Maritime Antarctica. Soils were sampled on the Late Holocene beach (current beach) and Mid Holocene marine terraces higher up, at 3, 8, and 12 m a.s.

Changes in plant communities and soil attributes in the "Cousteau's whale bone skeleton" tourist attraction area in Keller Peninsula after 48 years.

Ice-free areas of Antarctica represent an important study region that helps us understand how human activity affects plant communities and soil properties. The goal of this study was to determine the changes in plant composition and soil properties around a whale bone skeleton (WB) near Ferraz Station, King George Island, Antarctica from 1972 to 2020 (48 years). The WB was assembled in 1972 by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his team.

Influence of different seabird species on trace metals content in Antarctic soils.

The behavior and feeding habits of different species of seabirds can influence the enrichment of trace metals in Antarctic soils. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different species of seabirds on the concentrations of potentially toxic metals in Antarctic soils. For this, we collected soil samples in areas influenced by penguins, kelp gulls, and giant petrels.

Apparent thermal diffusivity of soil in ice-free areas of Keller peninsula in maritime Antarctica.

Heat transfer process in the soil active layer is important for the knowledge of its thermal properties linked with climate issues. The objective of this work was to analyze the energy flux in different soil profiles by estimating the apparent soil thermal diffusivity ($ATD$). The study was carried out in Keller Peninsula, located at King George Island in four different sites differing by soil characteristics, as well as vegetation coverage and landscape setting.

The diversity and structure of plant communities in the maritime Antarctic is shaped by southern giant petrel's (Macronectes giganteus) breeding activities.

Southern giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus) are found in the Antarctic. They build their nests with rock fragments, disturbing large areas during incubation and chick feeding periods; however, their impact on vegetation is unknown. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the effect of Petrel nests and associated breeding activities on the diversity and structure of cryptogam communities of Stinker Point, Elephant Island.