A major limitation for using sewage sludge in agriculture is the risk of soil contamination with heavy metals and their possible transference to humans via food chain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the soil content of Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn by two digestion methods (HNO3 + H2O2 + HCl and HClO4 + HF) in maize plants grown on a Typic Eutrorthox soil treated with sewage sludge for nine consecutive years, and the effects on dry matter and grain yield. The experiment was carried out under field conditions in Jaboticabal, State of São Paulo, in a randomized block design with four treatments and five replicates. Treatments consisted of: accumulated rates of sewage sludge (45.0, 90.0 and 127.5 t ha-1, dry basis) applied during nine consecutive years and a control treated with mineral fertilizers according to soil analysis. Sewage sludge was manually applied to the soil and incorporated at a depth of 0.1 m prior to maize sowing. The mean Cd concentration in soil was not affected by sewage sludge rates and extraction methods. On the contrary, the mean soil concentrations of Cr, Pb and Zn extracted by HClO4 + HF were 72.4, 31.8 and 62.3 %, respectively, higher than those obtained by the HNO3 + H2O2 + HCl. However, when the effect of sewage sludge rates was evaluated, it was verified that only soil Zn concentration was affected by the treatments. Except for Cd, which was not detected, the accumulated contents of Cr, Pb and Zn in the different parts of maize plants were generally affected by successive applications of sewage sludge to the soil. Heavy metal contents in the grains, when detected, were in the acceptable range for human consumption, according to Brazilian legislation. The effects of long-term sewage sludge and mineral soil fertilization on dry matter and grain yield were similar.
Zea mays L.; biosolid; trace elements; soil pollution; heavy metals; waste
