Several procedures have been proposed to reduce the concentration of heavy metals in soils and consequently, to reduce polluting effects. One of the most used procedures is the application of materials such as bentonite capable of adsorbing these elements making them less available to plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of bentonite in the remediation of soils contaminated with zinc. An experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in a completely randomized design with three replications, using cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) as an indicator plant. Treatments consisted of a 3 x 3 factorial, the first factor being three doses of Zn (50, 250 and 450 mg kg-1) and the second factor three doses of bentonite (0, 30 and 60 t ha-1). For the study pots with 18 kg filled with 15 kg of soil mixed with the respective doses of bentonite and zinc were used. After ten days of soil incubation the bean seeds were sown. After sixty five days leaves, stems, roots, seeds and bark were harvested separately, dried in air circulation oven at 65 °C, weighed, grinded and analyzed for zinc. The results showed that the bentonite seems to be an optimum inorganic material for remediation of soils contaminated with zinc. The incorporation of bentonite to the soil increases the adsorption of zinc by decreasing the availability of this element for the plant tending therefore to increase the production of dry matter.
heavy metal; clay; Vigna unguiculata L
