The pollution effect of trace elements in the environment depends mainly on the capacity of soil colloids to sorb and maintain them in high energy bonds. This study evaluated the adsorption of Cd, Cu, and Pb in A-horizon samples of Red Latosol and Red-Yellow Latosol (Udox), with similar texture and contrasting mineralogy. For this purpose, isotherms of adsorption, monoelement and multielement were built, based on the soil sample reaction in 5 mmol L-1 Ca(NO3)2 solution adjusted to pH 5.5, with metal concentrations of 0; 0.01; 0.05; 0.10; 0.15; and 0.75 mmol L-1. Desorption was then analyzed in 5 mmol L-1 Ca(NO3)2 solution. The isotherms were adjusted to the Langmuir model (P < 0.01). The maximum adsorption capacity of Cu and Pb was higher than of Cd in both soils. The simultaneous adsorption reduced the adsorption maximum capacity of the three metals. Cd was most reduced, indicating the lower competitive power than Cu and Pb. There was low reversibility of the adsorbed metals, indicating occurrence of hysteresis. The low competitive power of Cd, as indicated by the reduced maximum adsorption capacity in the presence of the other two metals, is alarming in weathered tropical soils, such as Oxisols.
trace elements; soil pollution; adsorption; desorption
