Improper disposal of municipal solid waste in soil impacts the quality of soil, water and air and is a source of organic compounds, solvents and trace elements. In this work, we studied the sorption of the Cd, Cu, Li, Pb and Zn in soils at solid waste disposal areas in the municipalities of Campo Belo, Lavras and Pouso Alegre, MG. The sorption isotherms showed a good fit to the Freundlich model, allowing us to predict the retention of these trace elements in soils from final disposal of municipal solid waste in the municipalities in the studied concentrations. The Pouso Alegre soil had the lowest potential for the leaching of trace elements; alternatively, the Lavras soil was the most vulnerable to the risk of groundwater contamination, requiring greater care with regard to the disposal of solid waste containing trace elements that are easily soluble.
sorption isotherm; leaching; water contamination