TRANSPORTE E ADSORÇÃO DE ARSÊNIO EM LATOSSOLOS.

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the behavior of arsenic (As) in typical Cerrado soil (Oxisol), such as adsorption and transport in different horizons. In experiments samples were used in two different depths, from 0 to 0.20 m, 0.80 m to 1.00 m. Samples were prepared, characterized and tested with the application of an arsenic solution. For the experiment were used percolation columns made of PVC tubes with samples to simulate a natural soil profile section made in the laboratory and application of a known concentration of arsenic solution. The arsenic content in each sample was quantitated by spectrophotometric analysis of plasma atomic emission induced argon (ICP-AES). Graphs of arsenic adsorbed depending on the equilibrium concentrations were prepared and the results showed that the oxisol analyzed in its natural pH conditions and so was used in this study has a high adsorption capacity for arsenic to possess desirable characteristics such as high levels of aluminum oxides, iron oxides, ghoetita and hematite fine particle size and large specific surface area. In environmental terms, this is a positive feature, therefore, to keep the layers of earth, is unlikely to be transported to the deep part to become a source of contamination of groundwater by arsenic.