The final disposal of sewage sludge has become a cause of environmental concern. Because of its high content of both organic matter and plant nutrients, sewage sludge has been used as fertilizer. However, it is important to know the fractions and bioavailability of heavy metals in sludge-amended soils. In the case of zinc, one of the most abundant metals in sewage sludge, knowledge on forms and plant availability are important to predict its behavior in soils. The present experiment was carried out to evaluate the Zn distribution across different soil fractions after incubation with sewage sludge. In addition, Zn availability was evaluated by DTPA, EDTA, Mehlich-1, and Mehlich-3 extractants as well as its relationship with Zn uptake by corn plants. Five sewage sludge doses (0; 40.5; 81; 162; and 243 Mg ha-1) were added to two chemically and physically contrasting soil samples. After a 180 day-period incubation, sludge applications increased corn shoot dry weight, with no Zn toxicity symptoms in both soils. The EPA recommended Zn dose was safe regarding Zn contamination of soils and plants. The Zn content in several soil fractions follow the order: Residual > Organic matter > exchangeable > crystaline iron oxide > amorphous iron oxide. Mehlich-1 and Mehlich-3 extractants presented the highest Zn recovery, but all of them were effective to predict Zn availability.
heavy metals; biosolid; sequential extraction; chemical extractant
