Erica Souto Abreu Lima

Soil Factors Related to the Severity of Clubroot in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Soil pH and calcium levels are determining factors in the success or failure of managing clubroot during the cultivation of Brassica spp. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of soil attributes in tropical regions on the development of roots and clubroot and the accumulation of biomass and nutrients in cauliflower. One hundred and fifty-one samples of soil and plants were collected from 16 family farms that have a history of more than 50 years of regular cauliflower cultivation in Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Chemical and physical analyses were performed on the soil samples, and the severity of clubroot and the accumulation of biomass and macronutrients in individual plants and plant tissues. Clustering and main principal component analyses were performed on the data. The disease occurred on all farms, but with different intensities. A direct relationship was observed for the soil attributes (acidity and exchangeable aluminum content in particular) with the percentage of roots with clubroot and with the accumulation of biomass and macronutrients in the different plant organs. To reduce losses from clubroot in weathered soils, practices should aim to reduce the pathogens inoculum potential and improve the physical and chemical conditions of the soil, which would favor root development of the plants.

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.

Natural radioactivity in soils of the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil): Radiological characterization and relationships to geological formation, soil types and soil properties

Located in the south-western part of Brazil, the state of Rio de Janeiro is geotectonically contained within a complex structural province that resulted in the amalgamation of the Western Gondwana Paleocontinent. To undertake an extensive radiological characterization of this complex geological province and investigate the influence of bedrock, soil type and soil chemical-physical characteristics on natural radionuclide levels in soils, 259 surface soil samples were collected that encompassed the main soil types and geological formations throughout the state. Gamma spectrometry analysis of the samples resulted in median values of 114 Bq.kg-1for 40K, 32 Bq.kg-1 for 226Ra and 74 Bq.kg-1 for 228Ra. The median value for 226Ra was similar to the world median value for soils, the 40K value was well below the worldwide value, and that for 228Ra exceeded the world median value. The intense weathering caused by the high rainfall rates and high temperatures may be responsible for the low levels of 40K in the soils, of which the strongly acidic and clayey soils are markedly K-depleted. A soil from a high-grade metamorphic rock (granulite) presented the lowest 226Ra (18 Bq.kg-1) content, whereas the highest levels for 226Ra (92 Bq.kg-1) and 228Ra (139 Bq.kg-1) were observed in a young soil enriched in primary minerals (Leptsol). A lowland soil (Gleysol) showed the highest median of 40K (301 Bq.kg-1). Strongly acidic soils tended to present high amounts of 226Ra, and sandy soils tended to contain low levels of 228Ra. The external radiation dose indicates that the state has a background radiation level within the natural range.

Multivariate analyses to establish reference values for soils in Médio Paraíba, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Quality Reference Values (QRVs) for potentially toxic elements are obtained from background levels in soils. However, this determination from mean values or percentiles is not appropriate given the variability in the natural distribution of these elements in soils. Therefore, the objective of this study was to propose a new methodology to establish the QRVs, using the Medio Paraiba region (RJ, Brazil) as an example, from groups of soils defined based on the pseudo-total levels of B, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn through the use of multivariate analyses and discriminant functions. A total of 40 points, collected at depths of 0-20 and 20-40 cm, were used for the determination of pseudo-total contents, according to the EPA 3051A methodology. The samples were separated into three groups to better represent the variability of the soils of the region. The classification functions were obtained based on the variables Mn, Fe, and Mg. In general, the groups G1 and G2 presented lower values than the ones obtained when the sample universe was used, whereas G3 presented higher values. The QRVs obtained from the soil groups presented substantial differences that translate into advantages for the management of the contaminated areas of the region.

Toxicity of Drilling Waste from Oil Wells on Oligochaeta

The most abundant and critical elements in residues from well drilling and prospecting are barium and sodium. Ecotoxicological tests have been used to evaluate the toxicity caused by toxic substances present in the soil. The objective of the present study was to verify the effect of the application of drilling residue from oil wells on Oligochaeta activity. After incubation of the soil with residue doses – BaSO4 and NaCl – three ecotoxicological tests were performed in which the species Eisenia andrei was used as a bioindicator. The avoidance behavior test showed that there was a negative effect of the application of the residue at a dose of 234 t ha-1 on Oligochaeta activity. However, the application of BaSO4 alone did not show damage to the earthworms, unlike what was observed for NaCl application. These results indicate that sodium was the element that most restricted the activity of these organisms.

Sorption of Cd and Pb in soils of the Middle Region of Paraíba River - RJ, Brazil

As concentracoes de metais na solucao do solo sao reguladas, principalmente, pelos processos de sorcao. Neste estudo foi avaliada a dinâmica de sorcao de Cd e Pb em 19 amostras de solos da Regiao do Medio Rio Paraiba - RJ, Brasil, atraves da comparacao dos parâmetros de diferentes modelos de isotermas obtidos pelo software ISOFT apos ensaios de sorcao pelo metodo da batelada. Os resultados mostraram que a isoterma Linear e mais adequada para representar a sorcao de Cd e o modelo de Freundlich para Pb e que a adsorcao de Cd e fortemente influenciada pelo pH e pelas concentracoes de Fe e Ca, enquanto que a adsorcao de Pb e mais influenciada pelo pH, e pelas concentracoes de Mn e Ca.