Evaluation of metal accumulation in the forage grass Brachiaria decumbens Stapf grown in contaminated soils with iron tailings.
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2022
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The biggest world tailing dam rupture occurred in Brazil in 2015, releasing approximately 32 million m3 of iron tailings in
the Doce River watershed, along its 660 km trajectory, reaching the Atlantic Ocean. This disaster significantly altered water
and soil properties, increasing the soil metal contents, mainly iron concentration. Little is known about the concentration
of toxic elements in plants grown in these areas. Brachiaria decumbens stands out as the most cultivated grass in the
affected areas and is widely used for cattle grazing. This study verified the metal contents in soils and in samples of
B. decumbens grown in the initial pathway of the debris flow. It was noted that the tailing deposition altered the substrate
chemically, increasing Fe by 181% and reducing Zn soil contents by 188%. However, the metal contents in the forage grass
were below the toxic limit for cattle feed. In addition, the results suggest that the natural geological characteristics of the
region also influenced the metal contents in plants since those plants grown in nonaffected areas also showed high metal
concentrations. The impacted area soils had a slightly basic pH, which can reduce the metal availability. Considering that,
in the future, these soils would return to their natural acid state, the metal contents in plants grown in the affected regions
could probably increase. Thus, long‐term studies are needed to ensure the food safety of the forage production in these
areas.
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Iron mining waste, Metal bioaccumulation, Mine dam collapse, Potentially toxic elements, Soil contamination
Citação
FERREIRA, D. A. P. et al. Evaluation of metal accumulation in the forage grass Brachiaria decumbens Stapf grown in contaminated soils with iron tailings. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, v. 18, n. 2, p. 528-538, 2022. Disponível em: <https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ieam.4495>. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2022.