Scientia Agricola (Apr 2021)

Quality reference values for rare earth elements in soils from one of the last agricultural frontiers in Brazil

  • Yuri Jacques Agra Bezerra da Silva,
  • Eliabe Barros de Oliveira,
  • Ygor Jacques Agra Bezerra da Silva,
  • Clístenes Williams Araújo do Nascimento,
  • Tatiana dos Santos Silva,
  • Cácio Luiz Boechat,
  • Marcos Paulo Rodrigues Teixeira,
  • Ronny Sobreira Barbosa,
  • Vijay P. Singh,
  • Antonny Francisco Sampaio de Sena

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-992x-2020-0069
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 78, no. suppl 1

Abstract

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ABSTRACT: Environmental impacts caused by the addition of rare earth elements (REEs) to agricultural soils are a growing concern. The sedimentary basin of the Gurguéia River is located in one of the last agricultural frontiers in Brazil; nevertheless, data regarding quality reference values (QRVs) for REEs in soils are still scarce. The objective of this study was therefore to determine the natural concentration and establish the QRVs of REEs in soils of Gurguéia watershed, Brazil. Fifty-five composite soil samples were collected at sites under no or minimal anthropic interference. The average REE natural concentrations in soils from the Gurguéia watershed were lower than those found in other regions of Brazil and worldwide, following the order (mg kg−1): Ce (14.01) > Nd (6.19) > La (5.52) > Pr (2.51) > Sm (1.45) > Gd (0.93) > Dy (0.63) > Er (0.42) > Yb (0.39) > Tb (0.28) > Eu (0.26) > Lu (0.20). The parent material was the main factor that controlled the distribution of REEs in soils. The QRVs in soils followed the order (mg kg−1): Ce (18.8) > Nd (7.92) > La (6.32) > Pr (3.3) > Sm (1.97) > Gd (1.35) > Dy (0.85) > Er (0.55) > Yb (0.47) > Tb (0.37) > Lu (0.25). These values serve as a basis to assist the development of legislation, including REE thresholds for Brazilian soils.

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