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Heavy metals are naturally found in soils, but their levels may increase as a result of anthropogenic actions. This study aimed at determining the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in Yellow Latosol from vegetable crops areas, as well as the influence of the cultivation and position in the landscape on the accumulation of these elements. Soil samples were collected from five farming areas and four areas with natural vegetation, which served as a reference. Soil was collected along the planting rows from three transect positions (upper, middle and lower sections of the slope), as well as from the upper portion of forest areas, at three depths (0.0-0.10 m, 0.10-0.30 m and 0.30-0.60 m). The results from the chemical analyses indicated that Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn levels in the soil increased as a result of cultivation. Only Cd and Cu concentrations were above the quality reference values for the Pernambuco State. The multivariate analysis techniques used were efficient at separating the environments and at differentiating the origin of the metals. Soils from forest areas were clearly separated from croplands, demonstrating the effect of agricultural practices on the metal contents in the soils. The principal component analysis indicated a predominantly anthropogenic origin (phosphate fertilizing) for Cd, in more superficial soil samples.

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Indian Black Earths (IBEs) are distributed throughout the Amazon. They are characterized by their high chemical fertility and agricultural potential. IBEs have high organic carbon, favouring the improvement of soil structure. This work aimed to evaluate the aggregates and organic carbon (OC) spatial variability in different IBEs in southern Amazonas. We evaluated the organic carbon spatial variability, mean weight diameter (MWD), soil bulk density (ρ b ) and aggregate classes under three uses of soil: pasture, cocoa, and coffee. We collected 528 soil samples in a point grid according to its use at two depths: 0.0-0.05 m and 0.10-0.20 m. Results were subjected to variance, descriptive, and geostatistical analyses. We concluded that the soil use influenced the IBEs physical attributes soil behavior, concentrating the higher values of CO, aggregates > 2.00 mm, and MWD at 0.0-0.05 m in relation to ρ b and aggregates < 2.00 mm where the higher values were the ones at 0.10-0.20 m. Aggregates < 2.00 mm (0.10-0.20 m) and OC (0.0-0.05 m) did not show spatial dependence, while the class of aggregates > 2.00 mm was the only attribute which represented to be a natural characteristic of the soil, with a strong spatial dependence, independently the land use and depth. There was no spatial relationship between the attributes studied and the geomorphic diversity.

Having in mind the importance of knowing the variability and spatial correlation of soil properties in Indian Dark Earth (IDE), we evaluated in this study the variability and the spatial correlation of aggregates and carbon in an Ultisol under coffee cultivation in southern Amazonas. It was established a 48 x 88 m sampling grid spaced 06 x 08 m, totalling 88 sampling points. Then soil samples were collected at: 0.0-0.05, 0.05-0.10, and 0.10-0.20 m layers. The spatial variability of the Mean Weighted Diameter (MWD) attributes, aggregates > 2 mm, < 2 mm, bulk density (BD) and organic carbon (OC) was analyzed by adjusting the simple semivariograms, while spatial correlations of the OC with aggregates and BD were analyzed by cross-semivariogram. We could conclude that there was spatial dependence in the variables, wherein the largest ones were observed at 0.0-0.05 m, except for Mean Weighted Diameter (MWD) and aggregates greater than 2.00 mm with larger range of values in depth from 0.05-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m. The mean weight diameter and aggregate class attributes greater than 2.00 mm had negative spatial correlation with organic carbon at 0.0-0.05 m, while the smaller aggregates than 2.00 mm classes and bulk density correlated positively with organic carbon at 0.0-0.05 m and 0.10-0.20 m.

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The consumption of contaminated water is a major source of heavy metal contamination in humans and animals. This study therefore aimed to assess Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn levels in water used for human and animal consumption and vegetable crop irrigation in Camocim de São Félix, Pernambuco, Brazil. Water samples were collected on the studied farms from an artesian well and reservoirs used for human and animal consumption as well as for crop irrigation. The results showed that concentrations of Cd (> 0.001 mg L-1), Ni (> 0.025 mg L-1) and Pb (> 0.01 mg L-1) were above the maximum allowable limits established under Brazilian law, indicating the need for a preventive monitoring program and immediate intervention initiatives aimed at the sources of contamination. The results demonstrate the need to quantify heavy metal content in vegetable crops, since their contamination by irrigation water may make them harmful to human health. Rainfall has a seasonal effect on heavy metal concentrations in water, showing a significant effect on Pb levels, whereas Cd and Ni content was less dependent on seasonal variation.