Caracterización edafológica y geoquímica de la región de Chiquimula, República de Guatemala. C.A.

Résumé

Chiquimula region, located in the southeast of the Republic of Guatemala, is characterized by be emplaced in a corridor of dry weather that makes it unfeasible for traditional crops. Geologically, the area has large areas out- cropping intrusive igneous rocks known as Chiquimula pluton. This study aims to characterize geochemically and taxonomically the soils in this region. The results show poorly developed soils, with pedological horizons Ah (and Ap), Bw, BC and, in some soils, E. Structures are mainly emerging and textures ranging from loam to sandy loam. The most abundant surface diagnostic horizons are Umbric. We find subsurface cambic horizons, and in some soils, an albic horizon. These profiles allow classified these soils as Umbrisols, Cambisols and Arenosols. Geochemically they are char- acterized by a trend Al> Mg> Ca> K> Na in the case of the first two types of soils and by Al> Ca> Mg> K> Na for the third unit. In addition, they present low saturation, low and intermediate pH and organic matter and organic carbon contents of 2.12% and 1.43% respectively. Total mass balances of most of them show impoverishment in the surface horizons Ah and enrichments in the Bw horizons.