Chemical, biological changes and mobility of heavy metals in soil treated with composted tannery sludge and cultivated with corn

Chemical, biological changes and mobility of heavy metals in soil treated with composted tannery sludge and cultivated with corn

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21680/2447-3359.2026v12n1ID41458

Abstract

The increase in industrial waste generation, especially tannery sludge, poses environmental challenges due to its organic matter content and the presence of heavy metals. Composting this waste has been pointed out as an alternative capable of reducing risks and expanding its potential for agricultural use. From this perspective, the study aimed to evaluate how composted tannery sludge (CTS) influences heavy metal levels, as well as the chemical and microbiological attributes of the soil, in addition to the development of maize (Zea mays L.) and the dynamics of these metals in different soil fractions. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in pots, under a completely randomized design, using six doses of CTS (0 to 40 Mg ha⁻¹). The analyses covered soil chemical and biological parameters, metal fractionation, and plant biometrics. It was observed that CTS promoted an increase in pH, base saturation, organic matter, and microbial activity, which resulted in greater growth and biomass accumulation of maize. Despite the increase in metal levels, they remained below risk thresholds and showed low mobility, indicating the agronomic feasibility of the residue when managed with proper monitoring.

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Author Biographies

Erivan Araújo Felipe, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

Agronomist graduated in 2011.2 from the Federal University of Piauí. Master’s degree in Soils and Plant Nutrition from the Federal University of Ceará. During his undergraduate studies, he participated in scientific initiation programs and an internship at EMBRAPA Meio-Norte. During his internship and scientific initiation, he conducted research in the field of Soils. He has experience in Agronomy, working mainly on the following topics: geostatistics and carbon management index, sugarcane residue, soil organic matter, legumes, crop rotation and intercropping, desertification, soil management, no-tillage, and environmental chemistry.

Francisco Sérgio Ribeiro dos Santos, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Maranhão, Codó, Maranhão, Brazil

Agronomist graduated from the Federal University of Piauí, with a master's degree in Agronomy specializing in Soils and Plant Nutrition from the Federal University of Ceará. He is an Adjunct Professor at the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Maranhão (IFMA), Codó campus, and works as an Agronomic Consultant in the areas of Agriculture, Livestock, and Pasture at PiAgro.

Wemerson Leonardo Cruz da Silva, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia, Paraíba, Brazil

Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences from the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Maranhão (IFMA/Codó Campus), he is currently a master’s student in Soil Science at the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), under the supervision of Professor Dr. Josinaldo Lopes Araújo Rocha. He has an extensive scientific output, with publications in national and international journals and conferences, covering topics such as environmental education, teacher training, agricultural sciences/soil science, and artificial intelligence applied to education. He works as a researcher in the Interdisciplinary Research Group on Education, Health, and Environment (GPIESMA/IFMA), registered with the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). He has experience in the fields of environmental education, agricultural sciences, and soil science, as well as in the use of artificial intelligence in education, focusing primarily on soil fertility and plant nutrition, environmental education, and family farming.

Lourenço Oliveira dos Santos, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia, Paraíba, Brazil

Graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Agrarian Sciences from the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Maranhão (IFMA/Campus Codó). He completed the Initial and Continuing Training course as a Human Rights Agent for the Elderly, also at the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Maranhão (IFMA/Campus Codó). He is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Soil Science at the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), under the supervision of Professor Dr. Josinaldo Lopes Araújo Rocha, with a scholarship granted by the Academic Excellence Program of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes). He has extensive scientific production, with publications in national and international journals and conferences, covering topics such as environmental education, teacher training, agrarian sciences/soil science, and artificial intelligence applied to education. He works as a researcher in the Interdisciplinary Research Group in Education, Health, and Environment (GPIESMA/IFMA), registered with the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). He has experience in the areas of environmental education, agrarian sciences, soil science, and horticulture.

Mateus Guimarães da Silva, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

Agronomist Engineer from the Federal University of Paraíba, Master in Soil Science – Graduate Program in Soil Science at the Federal University of Paraíba. Area of concentration: Soils in Agricultural and Natural Ecosystems. Research line: Soils and Plant Nutrition. PhD in Soil Science – Graduate Program in Soil Science at the Federal University of Ceará – UFC. Area of concentration: Soil Chemistry, Fertility, and Biology. Research line: Soil Chemistry, Fertility, and Pollution.

Teogenes Senna de Oliveira, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Teogenes Senna de Oliveira holds a degree in Agronomy (1985), a master's degree (1991), and a Ph.D. (1996) in Crop Science (Plant Production), all from the Federal University of Viçosa. He is currently a Full Professor at the Federal University of Viçosa and previously worked for several years at the Federal University of Ceará, where he still participates in the Graduate Program in Ecology and Natural Resources. He is also a 1D Researcher at the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). Academically and scientifically, his work focuses on Soil Science, with particular emphasis on soil and water management and conservation, as well as agroecology. He specializes in the management of soil organic matter and residues and their role in soil conditioning and environmental quality. He also seeks to assess the consequences of intensive land use, alongside the design and evaluation of environmentally balanced agricultural systems, made possible through the understanding and application of concepts for the intensification of ecological processes and relationships. His experience in the restrictive environment of the Brazilian semi-arid region has provided valuable information and training opportunities, enabling him to work with both high- and low-input cropping systems: irrigated systems, multiple-crop systems (agroforestry), organic farming, and minimum-tillage systems, all from the perspective of intensifying ecological processes and relationships. Areas of expertise: soil management, applied ecology in agricultural systems (agroecology), agroforestry systems, organic farming, family farming, intensive agriculture, irrigated agriculture, minimum tillage, erosion, and soil degradation.

Adriana de Oliveira Sousa Leite, University of Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

She holds a degree in Industrial Chemistry from the Federal University of Ceará (1994), a Master's in Inorganic Chemistry from the Federal University of Ceará (1999), and a Doctorate in Inorganic Chemistry from the Federal University of Ceará (2004). She currently serves as the coordinator of the School of Technology in the postgraduate lato sensu program at the University of Fortaleza. She has expertise in pedagogical management of specialization courses and active learning methodologies. She has experience in the field of Industrial Chemistry, with an emphasis on the treatment of metallic surfaces, focusing mainly on the following topics: corrosion studies, corrosion, atmospheric corrosion, and industrial coatings. She also works in management systems (quality and environmental), as well as process improvement.

Maria Eugenia Ortiz Escobar, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

Agronomist Engineer and PhD in Agricultural Sciences – Soil and Water Management from the National University of Colombia, with a sandwich PhD and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Hawaii, United States. Regional Development Fellow (DCR) at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), where she is currently an Associate Professor IV in the Department of Soil Science, responsible for the UFC Soil Chemistry Laboratory, and leader of the Soil Quality and Environmental Chemistry Research Group (QSQA). She is a permanent faculty member in the Graduate Programs in Soil Science (PPGCS) and Ecology and Natural Resources (PPGERN) at UFC, working mainly in the areas of soil chemistry, environmental chemistry, heavy metals, and the use of biosolids and industrial residues as soil conditioners. She served as Director of the Northeast Regional Branch of the Brazilian Society of Soil Science for two terms (2019–2021 and 2021–2023), and since August 2023 has held the position of President of the Brazilian Society of Soil Science.

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Published

12-03-2026

How to Cite

FELIPE, Erivan Araújo; SANTOS, Francisco Sérgio Ribeiro dos; SILVA, Wemerson Leonardo Cruz da; SANTOS, Lourenço Oliveira dos; SILVA, Mateus Guimarães da; OLIVEIRA, Teogenes Senna de; LEITE, Adriana de Oliveira Sousa; ESCOBAR, Maria Eugenia Ortiz. Chemical, biological changes and mobility of heavy metals in soil treated with composted tannery sludge and cultivated with corn : Chemical, biological changes and mobility of heavy metals in soil treated with composted tannery sludge and cultivated with corn . Notheast Geoscience Journal, [S. l.], v. 12, n. 1, p. 159–173, 2026. DOI: 10.21680/2447-3359.2026v12n1ID41458. Disponível em: https://periodicos.ufrn.br/revistadoregne/article/view/41458. Acesso em: 13 mar. 2026.

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Vol. 12 No. 1 (2026): Northeastern Geosciences Journal

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Artigos

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