In this research, texture, soil pH, CEC at pH 7, exchangeable Al, and content of Fe-oxides (Fed and Feo) were determined in A horizons samples of eight representative soils under native pasture from Campos de Cima da Serra, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The samples were treated with hydrogen peroxide and, before and after the treatment, C and N contents were determined and Fourier Transformed Infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy was performed. The content of soil C was high (4 to 23%) and its variation correlated with the altitude and exchangeable Al indicating that lower temperatures and complexation with ionic Al contribute to soil organic matter (SOM) stabilization. The proportion of oxidation-resistant carbon varied between 1 and 16% and correlated with the ratio Feo/Fed. The stabilization of this SOM fraction was assigned to the interaction of carboxylic groups bound to aromatic and aliphatic structures with Fe-oxides of low crystallinity degree.
stabilization; Al complexation; organo-mineral interaction; Fe-oxides
