Heavy metals in soil and castor bean fertilized with biosolids and magnesium and calcium silicate

Biosolids are an excellent source of plant nutrients; however, it can contaminate the soil. The aim of this work was to assess the influence of the fertilization with sewage sludge compost and calcium and magnesium silicate on the levels of heavy metals in soil and in castor plants. The experiment was conducted at the Institute of Agrarian Sciences (ICA) of UFMG in Montes Claros, MG, from June to December 2010. The cultivation was carried out in area of Inceptisol, using the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis L.) variety BRS energy. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks, in factorial scheme 4 x 2, with 3 replications consisting of 2 doses of calcium and magnesium silicate (0 and 1 t ha(-1)) and 4 doses of sewage sludge compost (0; 23.81; 47.62 and 71.43 t ha(-1), on dry weight basis). There was no interaction between the doses of calcium silicate and sewage sludge compost, as well as, the calcium and magnesium silicate did not influence the levels of heavy metals in soil and plant. In soil, the levels of Zn and Cu increased with the increase in dose of sewage sludge compost, however Ni, Pb, Cd and Cr were not influenced by the application of residue. In the plant, increasing dose of sewage sludge compost increased only the Cd and Pb levels.