The leaching of nitrates and the metals K, Ca, Mg, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn were evaluated in an experiment using biosolids amended soils. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized block design with four treatments: Typic Hapludox with and without biosolids (LA and LA + sludge) and Rhodic Hapludox with and without biosolids (LV and LV + sludge) and four replications. Biosolids were applied to soils every two months in an average rate corresponding to 78 Mg ha-1 (dry weight basis), during 11 months totalizing 5 additions and a total of 388 Mg ha-1. Control treatments consisted of soil only. Soil sampling was taken before each biosolid application. Leachate was collected, sampled and analyzed. Rainfall during this period was measured. The results showed that the rate and frequency of biosolid application caused an increase on soil electric conductivity, particularly in the clayey soil. Increased leaching of K, Mg and Ca, in the order K > Mg > Ca was also observed. There was an increase on nitrate leaching caused by the biosolid addition to soil, with values as high as 96 mg L-1 in the leachate. No presence of heavy metals was observed in the leachate, which shows the soil's heavy metal retention capacity. The possibility of N-NO3- leaching to groundwater makes the biosolids application to soil dependent on the biosolids content of N.
sewage sludge; electrical conductivity; heavy metals; K; Ca; Mg; pH; nitrate; Cd; Cr; Cu; Mn; Ni; Pb; Zn