Overview of the research on Plinthosols, Petroplinthites, and Plinthites
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26848/rbgf.v18.4.p2882-2898Keywords:
Iron accumulation, Bibliometric analysis, Soils and Landscape, Tropical Soils, FerricreteAbstract
Iron accumulation is a prevalent phenomenon in tropical regions, manifesting as plinthite or petroplinthite within water seasonality systems. These formations, predominantly found in Plinthosols (Plintossolos in the Brazilian soil classification), represent the fourth most abundant soil type in Brazil. This study employs a bibliometric analysis focused on Plinthosols, particularly within the Brazilian context, utilizing Web of Science data spanning from 1990 to 2023. We identified 317 relevant publications, with notable contributions from the USA, Australia, and Brazil. The trajectory of publications has shown consistent growth since the 1990s, with research emphasis spanning geology, agriculture, and geochemistry. In Brazil, Minas Gerais emerged as the primary research hub, followed by Goiás, Pará, and the Federal District—states intimately tied to mining and agricultural activities. Concerns regarding management, conservation, and environmental impacts stood out, with institutions from France, Australia, Brazil, and North America spearheading efforts in these domains. Leading journals such as Catena, Geoderma, and Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo serve as primary outlets for research dissemination in this field. Advancements in characterization techniques and dynamic modeling underscore a concerted effort toward sustainable management practices, underscored by the integration of technologies like remote sensing. Despite commendable progress, international collaboration, particularly involving Brazilian researchers, remains limited, signaling a critical need for broader engagement. This underscores the burgeoning global significance of research on tropical soil dynamics, emphasizing the imperative of an integrated approach to advance understanding and management strategies for these complex ecosystems.
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