This study was conducted to characterize the morphology, physics, chemistry, mineralogy and pedography of soil profiles with Mollic horizon at Nazaré da Mata, Pernambuco, Brazil, 1995. Three soil profiles involving Litosol, Reddish Brunizém and Red Yellow Podzolic were morphologically described. Samples were taken from each horizon to determine the physical, chemical (including humic fraction quantification), mineralogical and pedographycal properties. Based on soil properties and environmental conditions, it could be assumed that the surface horizons were developed from climate - vegetation interactions, since the soils showed a good chemical reserve, regardless of the rainy tropical conditions. This reserve was due to a 5-month dry season which induces leaf drop and reduces base leaching, resulting in significant organic matter incorporation. Such chemical reserves seem to contribute to mica preservation on these horizons, which would otherwise degrade under those rainy conditions. However, the soil solution chemical reserve would decrease the weathering process by chemical equilibrium between soil particles and solution, preserving biotite. Qualitatively, the differences among humic fractions were due to erosion, where higher values were found on the more eroded soil profile (Litosol). The genesis of the subsurface horizons was initially characterized by in situ formation of some kaolinite and irregular interstratified clay minerals, involving 2:1 and 1:1 phases. In the sequence of pedogenesis, more stable minerals (predominantly kaolinite), were formed, giving rise to an illuvial B horizon, as a result of both processes, illuviation and in situ formation. Quantitative mineral variation and foliation planes of the parent material and relief seem to control the formation and evolution of these soils.
pedography; mineralogy