Effects of compaction on lead availability in contaminated soils with contrasting texture.

The effects of soil compaction on porosity (α), bulk density (ρs), and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) can create a physical barrier in the soil, reducing the vertical movement of toxic elements in the soil profile. However, the indirect effects of compaction in altering the forms and availability of heavy metals in soil have not been well-studied. This study examined the influence of compaction on forms of lead (Pb) in soils with contrasting texture. Four levels of compaction were imposed on a sandy loam and a clayey soil, which were artificially contaminated based on their maximum Pb adsorption capacity. Compaction had different effects on Pb forms depending on soil texture. In the sandy loam soil, compaction had a dual beneficial effect in mitigating the impact of Pb contamination, since it decreased Ksat, reducing metal transport to deeper soil layers, and also prevented transformation to more available Pb forms (soluble and exchangeable). Instead, there was an increase in the most environmentally stable forms of Pb (inner sphere adsorption on iron and manganese oxides). In the clayey soil, compaction caused a significant increase in soluble and exchangeable Pb, accompanied by a significant reduction in environmentally stable Pb (inner sphere adsorption on gibbsite and kaolinite). In addition, studies about Pb contents under compacted soil layers should be investigated, mainly in clayey soils with edible crops, and environmental remediation practices that involve the machines traffic (for example, phytoremediation-successive cultivation of Pb-hyperaccumulating plants) should be used with care to minimise the compaction of clayey soils.

A new hypothesis for the origin of Amazonian Dark Earths.

Amazonian Dark Earths (ADEs) are unusually fertile soils characterised by elevated concentrations of microscopic charcoal particles, which confer their distinctive colouration. Frequent occurrences of pre-Columbian artefacts at ADE sites led to their ubiquitous classification as Anthrosols (soils of anthropic origin). However, it remains unclear how indigenous peoples created areas of high fertility in one of the most nutrient-impoverished environments on Earth. Here, we report new data from a well-studied ADE site in the Brazilian Amazon, which compel us to reconsider its anthropic origin. The amounts of phosphorus and calcium-two of the least abundant macronutrients in the region-are orders of magnitude higher in ADE profiles than in the surrounding soil. The elevated levels of phosphorus and calcium, which are often interpreted as evidence of human activity at other sites, correlate spatially with trace elements that indicate exogenous mineral sources rather than in situ deposition. Stable isotope ratios of neodymium, strontium, and radiocarbon activity of microcharcoal particles also indicate exogenous inputs from alluvial deposition of carbon and mineral elements to ADE profiles,  beginning several thousands of years before the earliest evidence of soil management for plant cultivation in the region. Our data suggest that indigenous peoples harnessed natural processes of landscape formation, which led to the unique properties of ADEs, but were not responsible for their genesis. If corroborated elsewhere, this hypothesis would transform our understanding of human influence in Amazonia, opening new frontiers for the sustainable use of tropical landscapes going forward.

Major soil classes of the metropolitan region of Curitiba (PR), Brazil: I - mineralogical characterization of the sand, silt and clay fractions

The aim of this work was to evaluate the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of most representative soils of the Region of Curitiba, Paraná State. Samples were collected at different depths. The results showed: (a) the quartz was the only identified mineral at the silt and sand fractions. The dominant clay mineral was Kaolinite, with contents ranging from 676.7 to 820.8 g kg-1. The gibbsite was also an important constituent of the most weathered horizons and the hematite and goethite contents were low, mainly in the Histosol; (b) at the C horizon of the Inceptisol, high intensity of vermiculite/smectite reflections were detected (X-ray diffraction), justifying the high capacity of expansion and contraction, normally showed for this soil horizon; (c) was observed a good relation between pedogenetic degree and crystallographic mineral characteristics.

Devido a grande importância dos minerais, notadamente aqueles da fração argila, sobre o planejamento de uso e sobre os impactos das atividades antrópicas, estudos detalhados da composição dos solos das regiões metropolitanas são imprescindíveis. Para avaliar as características mineralógicas e químicas de solos mais representativos da Região Metropolitana de Curitiba, estado do Paraná, foram coletadas amostras das classes Organossolo, Latossolo e Cambissolo, em diferentes profundidades. As frações areia, silte e argila foram estudadas por difratometria de Raios-X (DRX) e a fração mais fina foi submetida a análise térmica e extrações químicas com oxalato de amônio (OA), ditionito-citrato-bicarbonato (DCB) e solução de NaOH 5 mol L-1 fervente. As características cristalográficas da hematita (Hm), goethita (Gt), gibbsita (Gb) e caulinita (Ct) foram determinadas por DRX. Os resultados permitiram concluir que: (a) o quartzo foi o único mineral identificado nas frações areia e silte. Na fração argila, verificou-se o predomínio de Ct, com teores variando de 661,7 a 820,8 g kg-1. A Gb também foi um importante constituinte dos horizontes mais intemperizados.; (b) os teores de Hm e Gt da fração argila foram baixos, principalmente no Organossolo. Obteve-se maior quantidade de óxidos de Fe e Al de baixa cristalinidade (extração com OA) no Cambissolo, favorecidos pelo menor grau de intemperismo; (c) a ocorrência de vermiculita com hidroxi entre camadas no solo altamente intemperizado (Latossolo), torna-se importante para os processos físico-químicos, pois o mineral apresenta alta CTC e superfície específica (SE). No horizonte C do Cambissolo verificou-se reflexões de alta intensidade de vermiculita/esmectita, justificando a alta capacidade de expansão e contração observada nesta camada de solo; (d) a substituição de Fe por Al na Gt foi, em média, duas vezes superior à da Hm. Como resultado, a Gt apresentou maior SE. Já a Gb apresentou maior tamanho...

Majors soil classes of the metropolitan region of Curitiba (PR), Brazil: II - interaction of Pb with mineral and organic constituents

The interaction between heavy metals and soil constituents is one of the most important factors influencing the potential for ground water pollution. To study Pb behavior, samples of soils were incubated with a salt solution containing this metal. The experimental units consisted of plastic bags, partially opened with 0.1 dm³ of soil with three replications. After incubation, samples were subjected to sequential and selective extractions. Lead retention, measured by the maximum adsorption capacity of the soil, was relatively high with values ranging from 6,439 to 22,148 mg kg-1. The sequential and selective extractions showed that Pb adsorption was stable where the metal was found mainly in organic matter, Fe and Al oxides, and residual forms (specific adsorption). The capacity of the soils to retain Pb, thereby increasing the leaching potential of the metal, was in the sequence of: Histosol - Oxisol - Inceptisol.

A interação entre os metais pesados e os constituintes orgânicos e minerais do solo é um dos fatores mais importantes para definir o potencial de contaminação das águas subterrâneas. Para estudar o comportamento do Pb em solos da região metropolitana de Curitiba, estado do Paraná, amostras das classes Organossolo, Latossolo e Cambissolo foram submetidas a análises físicas e químicas, e incubadas com soluções de sais desse metal. A dosagem utilizada correspondeu a 40 por cento da Capacidade Máxima de Adsorção de Pb do solo (CMA). O ensaio foi conduzido na Universidade Federal do Paraná, em condições de casa de vegetação, no período de 29 de outubro a 29 de dezembro de 2003. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com três repetições e as unidades experimentais corresponderam a sacos plásticos parcialmente abertos com 0,1 dm³ de solo. Após o período de incubação (60 dias), as amostras foram submetidas a extrações seqüenciais e seletivas, na seguinte ordem: 1) KCl 0,005 mol L-1; 2) BaCl2 0,1 mol L-1; 3) NaClO 0,7 mol L-1; 4) NaOH 1,25 mol L-1; 5) ácido oxálico 0,2 mol L-1, oxalato de amônio 0,2 mol L-1 e ácido ascórbico 0,1 mol L-1; 6) ácidos fluorídrico, nítrico, sulfúrico e perclórico concentrados. O teor de Pb foi determinado por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica. A adsorção de Pb, estimada pela CMA, foi alta, com valores entre 6.439 a 22.148 mg kg-1, influenciada, principalmente, pelos teores de matéria orgânica e óxidos de Fe e Al de baixa cristalinidade no solo. As extrações seqüenciais e seletivas evidenciaram que a adsorção de Pb foi estável, onde o metal foi encontrado principalmente associado à matéria orgânica, óxidos de Fe e Al e ao resíduo dos tratamentos (adsorção específica). Verificou-se a seguinte ordem decrescente da capacidade dos solos em adsorver Pb, aumentando o potencial de lixiviação do metal: Organossolo - Latossolo - Cambissolo. Contudo, adicionalmente à CMA e distribuição do Pb nos diferentes constituintes...