Radiological impact of soil biosolid amendment on maize grown in a Brazilian Ferralsol

¹ CNEN/Instituto de Radioproteção e Dosimetria/Av. Salvador Allende s/n °, 22780-160 Recreio, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
² Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Solos/EMBRAPA, Rua Jardim Botânico, 1024 CEP 22460-000, Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Abstract

Sewage sludge has predominantly organic composition and can improve soil characteristics, such as fertility and erosion resistance. Therefore, its application as an amendment for agriculture is an adequate alternative for its final disposal. However, there is a lack of information concerning soil enrichment with radionuclides in long-term experiments in tropical areas. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the impact of soil biosolid amendment on the concentration of ²¹⁰Pb, ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra, U, Th, and other elements in maize grown in a Brazilian Ferralsol. The results obtained showed that radionuclide concentrations in maize grains were not significantly influenced by either the applied biosolid doses, or biosolid origin, or the interaction of these two factors.