Geochemical dispersion of Si, Al, Fe, Mn, Na, K, Cu and Zn elements in soils and their use for characterization areas geochemically homogeneous

Variations in the chemical composition of soils are used to characterize sub-areas geochemically - homogenous. The application of this methodology in a tropical humid region of accentuated topography constitute the principal objective of the present research. Samples of red latosols (Horizon B) developed over granite, sandstone and basalt occurring in the Central Granite Region of the Serra dos Carajas, Para State, Brazil were analized for the elements Si, Al, Fe, Mn, Na, K, Cu e Zn, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Based on the criterion of similarity in the chemical composition (Cluster Analysis, Factor Analysis) the soils were separeted in to different groups. The geographical distribution of the different groups permit the establishment of a close relationship between the different parent lithologies and their corresponding soils. (author)