Physical and chemical soil quality indicators in lead mining and metallurgy area

Abstract

The Pb mining and metallurgy activities in Adrianópolis (PR) caused impacts to the environment. Pb, Cu, Ni and Zn total contents (HF) and extracted with 0.5 mol L^-1 HNO₃ and some physical and chemical characteristics (fertility, field capacity and texture) were determined to assess the area soil quality, through the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The maximum Pb-HF and Pb-HNO₃ contents were, respectively, 25,930 and 15,370 mg kg^-1. It were identified two environmental with high contamination risks: surface water by erosive process - soil 5, with higher total Pb content, associated to the site height and the area pronounced declivity; underground water by leaching - soil 3, with higher HNO₃ Pb contents, associated with the proximity of the site  to Ribeira River’s. The soil 5 samples were grouped (PCA) due to the low fertility and clay content. In the other side, the soil 3 samples were grouped in response of your higher nutrients contents. Higher physical and chemical soil conditions allowed better plant growth, reducing the erosion and improving phytoextraction practices in the area.