Abstract Oil exploration and production generate large quantities of waste, which may contain contaminants such as barium and lead. Therefore, more studies aimed at decreasing the levels of heavy metals in contaminated sites, using methods such as phytoremediation, are needed. In a preliminary assay, samples of soil contaminated with oil drilling waste were incubated with different concentrations (2 or 6 mmol L-1) of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Subsequently, an experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to evaluate the phytoremediation potential of the tree Cordia africana. EDTA induced mobilization and translocation of lead, manganese, and iron into the C. africana leaves but had no effect on barium. The quantity of heavy metal contaminants accumulated in the plant vegetative parts showed that C. africana cannot be used as a phytoextractor for the tested metals; however, it can be used as a phytostabilizer.

A fitoextração de metais pesados usando agentes quelantes tem sido amplamente estudado para a remediação de solos contaminados. Para avaliar a eficiência do EDTA na fitoextração induzida de Ba e Pb, usando Brachiaria decumbens para a remediação de solos contaminados por perfuração poço de petróleo e resíduos de exploração, foi conduzido um experimento, aplicando uma dose única (6 mmol EDTA kg-1 solo) e divisão de doses de EDTA (três aplicações de 2 mmol EDTA kg-1 solo). As amostras foram submetidas a extrações sequenciais com o método proposto por Ure et al. (1993), conforme modificado por Rauret et al. (1999). A aplicação de EDTA não influenciou a distribuição do Ba nas diferentes frações geoquímicas. A produção de matéria seca não diferiu significativamente entre os tratamentos e o controle, demonstrando assim a tolerância das plantas com as condições experimentais. Houve maior absorção de Pb pelas plantas com a aplicação de EDTA. A aplicação de uma dose única de EDTA influenciou a absorção de Pb e sua translocação para a parte aérea das plantas. A aplicação dividida das doses favoreceu maior acúmulo de Pb nas raízes. Devido à sua tolerância para os metais pesados EDTA, B. decumbens tem o potencial para ser utilizado em fitoestabilização.

The phytoextraction of heavy metals using chelating agents has been widely studied for the remediation of contaminated soils. To evaluate the efficiency of EDTA-induced phytoextraction of Ba and Pb using Brachiaria decumbens for the remediation of soil contaminated by oil well drilling and exploration waste, an experiment was conducted by applying a single dose (6 mmol EDTA kg-1 soil) and split doses of EDTA (three applications of 2 mmol EDTA kg-1 soil). The samples were subjected to sequential extractions using the method proposed by Ure et al. (1993) as modified by Rauret et al. (1999).The application of EDTA did not influence the distribution of Ba in various chemical fractions of the soil. The dry matter production did not differ significantly between the treatments and the control, thereby demonstrating the tolerance of plants to the experimental conditions. The absorption of Pb by plants was influenced by the application of EDTA. The application of a single dose of EDTA influenced the absorption of Pb and its translocation to the aerial plant parts. The application of split doses favoured higher accumulation of Pb in roots. Because of its tolerance to heavy metals and EDTA, B. decumbens has the potential to be used in phytostabilisation.

Os efeitos da aplicação de resíduo siderúrgico, proveniente da concentração de zinco em lama de altos-fornos siderúrgicos, como fonte de zinco para plantas de arroz (Oryza Sativa L.) BRS Curinga e a toxicidade devida ao cádmio e ao chumbo no resíduo, foram estudados em experimento de casa de vegetação. O material de solo usado foi proveniente do horizonte A e B de um Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo e do horizonte A de um Neossolo Flúvico, coletados no município de Pinheiral, Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Foram aplicadas quatro doses de resíduo (94; 281; 844 e 2531kg ha-1). Foi determinado o teor de zinco, cádmio e chumbo na raiz e na parte aérea das plantas de arroz. As plantas crescidas no horizonte A do Neossolo Flúvico apresentaram a maior produção de matéria seca e a maior acumulação de zinco e a menor de cádmio. As plantas de arroz desenvolvidas no horizonte B do Latossolo apresentaram a menor produção de matéria seca, menor acumulação de zinco e a maior de chumbo, enquanto que as cultivadas no horizonte A do Latossolo apresentaram a mais elevada produção de matéria seca dos três substratos utilizados. O zinco e o chumbo concentraram-se, principalmente, nas raízes das plantas, e o cádmio se concentrou na parte aérea. Pelas características apresentadas nos solos estudados e pelas concentrações fitotóxicas do chumbo e do cádmio encontradas nas plantas desenvolvidas sobre o horizonte B do Latossolo, não é recomendável a utilização desse resíduo como fonte de zinco para a cultura do arroz.

The effects of application of siderurgical residue, originated from the zinc concentration in siderurgical high-ovens mud, as supply of zinc for rice plants (Oryza Sativa L.) and the toxicity due to cadmium and lead from the residue, were studied in a greenhouse experiment.The period of the experiment was from April of 2005 to March of 2006. The soil materials were from the A and B horizons of a Yellow - Red Oxisol, and the A horizon of an Entisol, from Pinheiral municipality, State of Rio de Janeiro, and the rice (Oryza Sativa L.) variety utilized was the "BRS Curinga". There were applied four dosages of residue (94; 281; 844 and 2531kg ha-1) plus the testimony, without residue. The amount of zinc, cadmium and lead was determined in the root and aerial part of the rice plants. The plants cultivated in the A horizon of the Entisol presented the biggest dry biomass production, the highest zinc accumulation, and the smallest cadmium level. The plants cultivated in the Oxisol B horizon had the smallest dry biomass production, lowest zinc accumulation, and the highest level of lead. As for the Oxisol A horizon, the rice plants showed a good dry biomass production. The zinc and lead concentrated, mainly, in the roots; and cadmium in the aerial part. Based on the characteristics of the studied soils, and the fitotoxicity by lead showed in the rice plants grown on the Oxisol B horizon, the application of the siderurgical residue, is not recommended, as a zinc source for the rice crop.