Arsenic and chromium in Brazilian agricultural supplies.
Arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) contents were measured in agricultural supplies used at different farms in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The highest mass fractions of As were found in thermophosphates, reaching levels of 4 mg/kg. The highest mass fractions of Cr (21 g/kg) were found in calcium magnesium silicate, while the thermophosphates also presented high values reaching approximately 1 g/kg. The levels of As were within Brazilian guidelines, but the values of Cr in thermophosphates exceeded the levels permitted in Brazil. The As content in fertilizers may be considered safe (<5 mg/kg) in terms of environmental pollution. However, the Cr content in calcium magnesium silicate following continuous use may constitute a significant problem in Brazil due to potentially increasing levels of this metal in soils.
Turra
Christian
C
Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil. christian.turra@gmail.com
De Nadai Fernandes
Elisabete A
EA
Antonio Stefanuto
Vanderlei
V
Arruda Bacchi
Márcio
M
Adrián Sarriés
Gabriel
G
Enrique Lai Reyes
Andrés
A
D016573:Agrochemicals / Q000737:chemistry*; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis*; D001938:Brazil; D002857:Chromium / Q000032:analysis*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans
D016573:Agrochemicals; D002857:Chromium; D001151:Arsenic