Heavy metals contamination of soils from intensive vegetable production areas in Petrópolis-RJ
Agrochemicals. Pollution. Mountain agriculture
The cultivation of vegetables stands out for the intensive use of agricultural inputs, due to the nutritional requirement in a short period of time and high susceptibility to pests and diseases. The objective of this study was to identify the main factors responsible for Cd, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn changes in soils under intensive cultivation in Petrópolis-RJ, as well as to evaluate the availability and distribution of these metals in the different geochemical fractions of the soil, aiming to characterize the dynamics of these elements and potential soil contamination potential. The work was carried out in family farms, which includes the microbasin of the Jacó river, Petrópolis-RJ, with intensive production of vegetables. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-20 cm in 146 sites located in 12 family farms. EPA 3050B methodology (USEPA, 1996), the quality of the soil analyzes evaluated with NIST certified sample SRM 2709a, and the geochemical fractionation procedure of the metals based on the BCR method were used to determine the levels of heavy metals. The extracts were analyzed respectively in an Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (EAA) apparatus. The data were calculated the pseudototal and bioavailable contents, and the pollution index (IP) for heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn). These results were compared with the chemical characteristics of soils, using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), clustering analysis and discriminant analysis, using the statistical software SAS version 9.2 (SAS, 2010). For the elaboration of the digital elevation map (MDE) and slope, the ArcGap 10.1 program of the ArcGIS information system package was used, and for SAGA Wetness Index or SAGA (TWI), the SAGA 2.5 program. In general, the vegetable production areas of the municipality of Petrópolis presented low contamination by metals Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn and Ni, except for the element Cd that presented severe contamination. In the areas with the lowest slope values and the highest TWI values, there was an increase in the contents of most metals, reflecting the influence of the relief. The bioavailability of all the elements (Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn and Ni) is related to the practice of soil management adopted in the areas, such as the intensive application of phosphate, potassium and organic fertilization. In general, inadequate soil management, intensive application of phosphate fertilization, potassium and organic fertilization and development were the variables that most influenced the enrichment and bioavailability of heavy metals in the soil.