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| Author(s): |
Janaina Correa Fiorentino
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Master's Dissertation |
| Press: | Campinas, SP. |
| Institution: | Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Geociências |
| Defense date: | 2007-03-29 |
| Examining board members: |
Jacinta Enzweiler;
Wanilson Luiz Silva;
Jose Roberto Ferreira
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| Advisor: | Kevin Telmer; Jacinta Enzweiler |
| Abstract | |
This work assesses the geochemistry of major, minor and trace elements, in special of total mercury, of an oxisoil profile developed on diabase in Paulinia (São Paulo state). The samples were collected from fresh rock up the top of the 6 m profile, during the dry season. The soil was collected in volumes of approximately 4000 cm3 . The upper 5 cm were collect in centimetric depth, in proportionally smaller volumes. During preparation, the samples were split and analytical work was conducted mainly in total sample and < 63 µm. The minerals of the diabase are plagioclase, pyroxene, quartz, magnetite, ilmenite and apatite, in order of decreasing proportion. In the soil samples, kaolinite, goethite, hematite and residual minerals, were identified by XRD. Mercury was determined in whole sample and in three size fractions by TDZAAS, while major and minor elements and Zr were determined in whole sample and in < 63 µm, by XRF. Of the trace elements determined in whole sample, the data of Ce, Cr, Cu, Nb, Nd, Ni, Pb, Th, V, Y and Zn were used in geochemical balances and correlations with other elements. Mercury concentrations were between 1.0-37.0 and 5.0-52.0 µg kg-1 in whole sample and in fraction < 63 µm, respectively. The lowest value was measured in the diabase sample, while in soil samples, concentrations increased along the profile, in direction to the top of B horizon. In A horizon, Hg concentrations were lower, possibly due to atmospheric emission, but other characteristics of this horizon suggest that it can be alóctone. The enhanced mercury concentrations measured in the fine fraction confirm the affinity of this metal for clay minerals. The order of elemental immobility found in the profile is Ti> Al> Nb> Y> V> Zr> Th. The enrichment of mercury, relative to titanium, was unique and larger than any other of the elements considered, and was followed by Th, Pb and Zr. Concerning the specific environmental conditions of the soil profile, the affinity of mercury by the solid phase is remarkable, avoiding its release to other terrestrial compartments. Lead and mercury data showed similar behavior and the data of the two elements presented strong correlation. The data suggest that Hg present in this soil profile is mainly geogenic and that the accumulation can be controlled by the low concentration of mercury and mildly acid pH, that favors the adsorption by kaolinite and goethite. Others factors like microclimate, hydrodynamic system of the profile, probably, also contribute to the observed behavior (AU) | |