GEOCHEMICAL BACKGROUND IN AN OXISOL

ABSTRACT Geochemical background establishment is indispensable to determine the actual state of contamination of soils and sediments. However, no scientific consensus exists regarding the methodology for determining these values. In this context, this study aimed to establish the geochemical background in an Oxisol (Rhodic Hapludox) by means of an integrated method that uses direct and indirect soil analyses to identify the most appropriate calculation methodology. Soil samples were collected in a permanent preservation area of the Cascavel River watershed, PR, Brazil. The elements Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, and Zn present in soil samples were quantified by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The use of a permanent preservation area is the most effective method to establish the geochemical background in the Cascavel River watershed. However, soil chemical element concentrations have spatial variability and dependence, requiring the application of non-parametric statistical methods based on third quartile and median for establishing the geochemical background.