Fitoextração induzida de metais pesados : efeito de agentes quelantes e do tempo de contato metal-solo

Abstract

The application of synthetic chelates to enhance phytoextraction increase metal availability as well as their concentration in shoots. However, synthetic chelates barely degradate in soil and pose a risk owing metal leaching. Natural organic acids can be an alternative to synthetic chelates thanks to their rapid biodegrability. The work aimed to comparing the performance of natural organic acids (gallic, citric, and oxalic) to chelates EDTA, DTPA, and NTA for phytoextracton of Pb, Cu and Zn by corn (Zea mays) and velvetbean (Stizolobium aterrimum). Soil samples were contaminated to reach the concentrations of 500 (Pb), 200 (Cu), and 300 (Zn) mg kg- 1 and cultivated for 35 days. The chelantes were applied at 10 mmol kg-1 7 days before plants harvest. Soil samples were submitted to chemical extraction by CaCl2 and fractionation. EDTA, DTPA, and NTA were effective at solubilizing the heavy metals. Citric acid was efficient to solubilize metals on the first 24 h after application. Due to the low biomass production, none chelant was efficient for phytoextraction of Pb, Cu, or Zn. The CaCl2 extractant presented high correlation with metals concentration in soil solution. Lead, Cu, and Zn were mainly retained in the organic matter fraction. In general, synthetic chelates application increased the concentrationof Pb and Cu in the exchangeable and organic matter fractions and decreased the concentration of Pb, Cu, and Zn in the amorphous oxide and crystalline oxide fractions