The aim of this research was to evaluate different leaching processes to the removal of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) from tropical soil contaminated by inappropriate past deposition of wastes from ceramic tile industries of Santa Gertrudes (São Paulo, Brazil). Three soil washing processes were investigated: with concentrated sulphuric acid, with a 30% solution of hydrogen peroxide and with 0.1M solution of hydrochloric acid. The results indicated that the treatment with hydrogen peroxide did not remove Pb and Zn significantly; the washing with concentrated sulphuric acid caused a 50% reduction of Zn contents and the 0.1M solution of hydrochloric acid reduced Pb and Zn contents in 15% and 10%, respectively. The Zn content remaining in the soil processed with concentrated sulphuric acid was 117 mg/kg and the Pb and Zn contents remaining in the soil processed with 0.1M solution of hydrochloric acid were 806 mgPb/kg and 213 mgZn/kg, respectively, values which are lower than intervention ones established by São Paulo State environmental protection agency.
contaminated site; tropical soil; heavy metals; remediation; ceramic tile industry
