Abstract:
The inadequate disposal of urban solid wastes (USW) can damage soil and groundwater because it contains contaminant substances, including heavy metals. The aim of this study was to verify chemical attributes and the content of some potentially polluting metals in the soil of the sanitary landfill of Cáceres, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. For this, the area was divided in 03 subareas: natural, active and inactive. Soil samples were collected in these subareas at the depth of 0-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m. Such samples were routinely analysed for the purpose of evaluating the soil fertility: water’s pH, organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, (m%), potential acidity, cation exchange capacity (CEC), bases saturation (V%) and aluminum saturation; texture; and the contents of metals such as As, Cd, Pb, Cr e Ni. The total contents of heavy metals were determined by spectrometry of optic emission with plasma inductivity after extraction, using method SW 3050B. There wasn’t a relevant difference between the average values of pH among in the areas. The organic matter and CEC reached higher values in the natural area. The heavy metal contents were below the limit baselines established in the literature. The low clay found in the soil of this area does not make it suitable for the disposal of USW.
Keywords:
urban solid wastes; Pantanal Matogrossense; soil contamination; heavy metals; trace elements