The effects of the application of slag, from the concentration of Zn in the mud of steel slag, as a source of Zn for rice plants and the toxicity of Cd and Pb in the residue were studied in a greenhouse during the period from April 2005 to March 2006. The material used came from the surface horizon of a Red Yellow Oxisol (LVA); Fluvic Entisol (RU) and Red Yellow ultisol (PVA), collected in the municipality of Pinheiral, in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The variety of rice (Oryza sativa L.) BRS Joker was used. Plants were harvested at 145 days after sowing; those grown in Fluvic Entisol had the highest dry matter production and higher zinc accumulation, but smaller accumulation of cadmium, while the ones in the Typic soil showed the lowest dry matter production, lower accumulation of zinc, but higher lead and cadmium accumulation. The DTPA extractor was subjected to high and significant correlations with the concentrations of lead, cadmium and zinc in roots and shoots and, with the total amount accumulated in plants, showed as a good indicator of the bioavailability of these three metals. According to the characteristics presented in the soils studied and the phytotoxic concentrations of lead and cadmium found in plants grown in PVA, the use of this residue as a source of zinc for rice cultivation is not recommended.
heavy metals; pollution; recycling
