Soil degradation and Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn contamination in dumpsites of humid and semiarid tropical regions in northeastern Brazil

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment 2022-07, Vol.194 (7), p.459-459, Article 459
• Main Authors: Marinho, Ana Paula França de, Nascimento, Clístenes Williams Araújo do, Cunha, Karina Patrícia Vieira da
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Atomic absorption spectrophotometry; Bulk density; Carbon; Chromium; Clay soils; Contaminants; Contamination; Copper; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Electrical resistivity; Environment; Environmental degradation; Environmental Management; Environmental monitoring; Environmental science; Evaporation; Heavy metal content; Heavy metals; Leaching; Lead; Metal concentrations; Metal content; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Municipal wastes; Nickel; Organic carbon; Organic soils; pH effects; Porosity; Semi arid areas; Semiarid climates; Semiarid lands; Semiarid zones; Soil; Soil characteristics; Soil contamination; Soil degradation; Soil density; Soil investigations; Soil pollution; Soil porosity; Soil properties; Soil texture; Soils; Spectral analysis; Spectrophotometry; Texture; Tropical climate; Tropical climates; Tropical environment; Tropical environments; Waste disposal; Zinc
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10122-8

We investigated soil characteristics and heavy metal content changes in 12 inactive dumpsites in humid and semiarid tropical climates in Northeast Brazil. The metals Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn in soil samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Other parameters measured include pH, electric conductivity, soil texture, soil organic carbon, total porosity and available P. The soil contents of sand, clay, soil organic carbon, available P and heavy metals, and soil bulk density, total porosity and pH were efficient indicators of soil degradation. We found no influence of current use, soil class or climate on the soil response. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in the dumpsite soils followed the order Zn (49.96 mg kg −1 ) > Cu (38.48 mg kg −1 ) > Pb (24.64 mg kg −1 ) > Cr (21.94 mg kg −1 ) > Ni (7.77 mg kg −1 ). They were 6- to 36-fold higher than the background values for the region and were above the Brazilian guideline values for metals. The four dumpsite soils that showed simultaneous contamination with two or more heavy metals were located in the semiarid region. This challenges the assumption that soil impacts in the semiarid region are minimal due to lower leaching and high evaporation. Soil changes increase with time under activity, size and decommission time of the dumpsite. These data are important for local authorities to establish more effective targeting policies for closure of dumps and control of the spread of contaminants in areas impacted by the disposal of municipal waste.