Geochemical Background for Potentially Toxic Elements in Forested Soils of the State of Pará, Brazilian Amazon

The objectives of this study were to establish geochemical background values aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) for eastern Amazon soils assess the relationship between soil chemical granulometric attributes using univariate multivariate procedures. Samples from topsoil (0–0.2 m) collected in several areas with minimal or no human intervention. Pseudo total concentrations potentially toxic elements extracted via acid digestion quantified inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). results revealed that present high acidity, low levels cations organic carbon, highly heterogeneous geomorphological characteristics. Fe (9300 mg kg?1) Al (8200 showed highest mean study, while As (0.8 Cd (0.1 presented lowest levels. indicate 90th percentile can be used formalize quality reference State Pará 98th considered rich mineral deposits.