O potencial de rochas vulcânicas do Grupo Serra Geral para a remineralização de solos

The potential of volcanic rocks from the Serra Geral Group to soil remineralization

Abstract

The large-scale use of chemical fertilizers generates significant negative environmental impacts. The development and improvement of techniques which promote sustainability, with alternatives that meet the nutritional needs of crops, have been of great interest to the scientific community. Soil remineralization is an agricultural practice that adds ground rocks to the soil, providing essential nutrients to the plants. Remineralizers are regulated in Brazil by Law n. 12.890/2013 and Normative Instruction n. 05/2016 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply (MAPA) establishes the minimum parameters for a rock to be used for soil remineralization. This study performed a comparative geochemical analysis between the outcropping basalts of the municipalities of Estância Velha and Campo Bom, the northeastern region of Rio Grande do Sul State, taking into account the minimum parameters established by MAPA.  The analyzed lithologies have characteristics with high potential to be employed as remineralizers, such as an average K2O content of 1.82%, a base saturation ranging from 13.64% to 17.43%, and safe levels of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead. Continuous research and development in this field are essential to finding innovative and sustainable solutions for agriculture.