The use of biossolids in agriculture needs more information on plant availability of heavy metals added to soil by this waste. The efficiency of the chemical extractants HCl 0.1 mol L-1, DTPA-TEA pH 7.3, Mehlich 3 and aqua regia for the evaluation of Cd, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn availability in biosolid-amended soils, was studied in a pot (0.5 m³) experiment using corn as test plant. The soils used were a dystrophic Typic Hapludox (LAd) and a dystrophic Rhodic Hapludox (LVd). The statistic design consisted of: random blocks in a 4x4 factorial outline, 4 treatments (LVd+sludge, LVd, LAd+sludge, LAd), 4 extraction methods (HCl 0.1 mol L-1, Mehlich 3, DTPA-TEA 0.005 mol L-1 pH 7,3 and aqua regia) and 4 replications. Seventy-eight Mg ha-1 of biosolids on dry base were applied every two months to the soils, one year before planting corn. In five applications 388 Mg ha-1 of biosolids were applied. The metal contents of the various parts of the plants were correlated with the contents removed by the extraction methods. The results show that the total contents of Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn did not exceed the critical limits established by USEPA and the European Community regulations even at the biosolid application rate of 388 Mg ha-1. Mehlich 3 was an effective extractor only in the evaluation of the bioavailability of Cu and Zn in corn grown on soils treated with biosolids. Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb presented no availability to corn plants.
Zea mays; sewage sludge; heavy metal; chemical extractants
