Radionuclides are present in the raw materials utilized in the manufacturing of some fertilizers and, consequently, the redistribution of uranium, thorium and potassium by agricultural activities may lead to the contamination of intensively fertilized soils. Airborne gamma-ray data on K, eU and eTh have shown the coincidence of aerogammaspectrometric anomalies and diabase sills in the Araras region (SP). This area is situated between the coordinates latitude 22º 00'/22º 30' south and longitude 47º 00' and 47º 30' west. As the contents of radionuclides in basic rocks are low and aerial gamma-ray surveys reveal gamma radiation from the 30 cm of the soil profile (coinciding with topsoil), interest has been raised to investigate which soils are included in the anomalies reported, as well as what sort of agricultural activity is carried out, in order to attest whether the source of radioactivity originated from the chemical fertilizers applied, thus establishing the main purpose of the present research. Integration by GIS has revealed that (i) eU and eTh anomalies occur on Latossolos Roxos massively fertilized with phosphates, on the level and elevated parts of the terrain; (ii) high levels of uranium are associated with clay particle size in regoliths developed on diabase sills; (iii) potassium and thorium anomalies follow Quaternary alluviums which extend along the banks of the Moji river, the occurrence of anomalous K accounting for the presence of feldspars in the included soils, and the occurrence of eTh related to local fertilization and to the transport of clays and iron oxides from the uppermost parts of the terrain, where the Latossolos Roxos under sugarcane are located. Radiochemical analyses of U and Th in fertilizers were in agreement with the literature, and it has been observed the influence of the geological genesis of the source of the raw material utilized in the production of the fertilizer, as well as the increase in uranium concentrations along with the P2O5 content. Ground gamma-ray spectrometric measurements have shown good correlation with the airborne gamma-ray detections. In conjunction with magnetic susceptibility (k) readings have shown that uranium and thorium tend to concentrate in soils originated from the weathering of basic rocks, more developed, of clay texture, and predominance iron oxides. The retention higher than the ones found in diabase quarry.
Soils contamination; Uranium; Airborne gamma ray; Fertilizers; GIS
