Quality reference values of trace elements in Brazilian organosols.
Determination of the natural background levels of trace elements in organosols and the proposal of quality reference values (QRVs) for these elements are essential for monitoring these soils because they are fragile and subject to change more intensely and rapidly than other soil classes. Given the above information, the objectives of this study were to determine the QRVs of trace elements for organosols and to correlate some soil properties with the occurrence of these elements. Forty organic soil horizon samples from different regions of Brazil were selected to determine the pseudo-total content of trace elements. The samples were separated into three groups according to a cluster analysis. The soil variable Fe and C contents had the strongest influence on the trace element contents in the organosols and were therefore used in the group classification functions. QRVs were proposed according to the 75th percentiles of the groups. The classification functions are a suitable tool for the allocation of new samples into previously established groups and may potentially be used to estimate the degree of organosol degradation.
Department of Soils, Institute of Agronomy, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ)), Seropédica, RJ, Brazil. ericaabreulima@gmail.com.
Erica Souto Abreu
ES
Lima
Department of Soils, Institute of Agronomy, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ)), Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
Nelson Moura Brasil
NM
do Amaral Sobrinho
Department of Soils, Institute of Agronomy, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ)), Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
Filipe Soares Diniz
FS
de Paiva
Department of Soils, Institute of Agronomy, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ)), Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
Izabella Bezerra
IB
Coutinho
Department of Soils, Institute of Agronomy, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ)), Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
Marcos Gervasio
MG
Pereira
Department of Soils, Institute of Agronomy, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ)), Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
Everaldo
E
Zonta
D001938:Brazil; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D012016:Reference Values; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000592:standards; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*
D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014131:Trace Elements
Multivariate analysis; Organic horizons; References values; Soil contamination