Potentially toxic metals of vegetable gardens of urban schools in Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil

ABSTRACT: Urban environments are contaminated in many ways with persistent organic and inorganic pollutants as a result of anthropogenic activities, endangering human health and natural resources. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the soil contamination by cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in 10 vegetable gardens of urban schools located near or on Botucatu sandstone outcrops of Guarani Aquifer in the urban areas of Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil. In each garden, three soil samples at each position (in the soil immediately outside and the soil in the garden) were collected at a depth of 0-20 cm. The ISO 11466 method was used to extract the metals. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was used to quantify the elements and certified materials to evaluate the quantities (SRM 2709a - San Joaquin Soil - NIST). To evaluate the data, principal component analyses and cluster analyses were performed. The cluster analysis for the evaluated metals showed that the highest contents of elements were reported in three gardens. Values above the prevention value defined by resolution no. 420/2005 of the National Council for the Environment -Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente (CONAMA) - were reported for cobalt in one garden and copper in three gardens; thus, these areas were categorized as Class III areas. Principal component analysis explained 74.7% of the data and showed the enrichment of some elements within gardens.