GLOMALIN CONTENT AS INDICATOR OF REHABILITATION OF SOILS CONTAMINATED WITH HEAVY METALS

SOUZA, M.G.; PRADO, I.G.O.; SANTOS, J.V.; LEAL, P.L.; DE CARVALHO, F.; MOREIRA, F.M.S.; SIQUEIRA, J. O. Departamento de Cincia do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras - UFLA, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brasil

INTRODUCTION
The contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to plant growth in soils contaminated with heavy metals is related to several features, including the production of an insoluble glycoprotein denominated glomalin, which is abundantly produced by the hyphae of some AMF and is able to retain large amounts of heavy metals. Therefore, has been suggested that measurement of soil glomalin might represent an important indicator of the changes associated with the use of soils and also rehabilitation because changes in vegetation cover directly influence the soil AMF communities and the quantity and quality of the compounds that they produce, such as glomalin. In Brazil, a research of glomalin is recent and in general, there are few studies in the literature on assessment of glomalin in soils of the tropics.

Figure 1. Partial view and representation of the soil sampling sites (R = plantation rows; BR = between plantation rows; Ec = E. camaldulensis; Bd = B. decumbens) in areas contaminated with heavy metals after use of the rehabilitation systems (S1 and S2), the non-rehabilitated contaminated sites (NR) and the non-contaminated sites [Cerrado (C) and Pasture (P)].

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to quantify the content of total BRSP (Bradford-reactive soil protein) and EE-BRSP (easily extractable Bradford-reactive soil protein) from soil contaminated with zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) under different rehabilitation systems.
Heavy Metals
Zn total (mg kg-1) (1) Zn soluble (mg kg-1) (2) Cu total (mg kg-1) (1) Cu soluble (mg kg-1) (2) Pb total (mg kg-1) (1) Pb soluble (mg kg-1) (2) Cd total (mg kg-1) (1) Cd soluble (mg kg-1) (2)
(1)Mehlich-1; (2)USEPA

RESULTS
Table 1 Total and soluble heavy metal content of the soil in areas of study
Ec-R
3805 2866 189 139 77 35 19 18,9

Ec-BR
8673 6680 511 456 139 77,3 37 37

EcB-R
574 258 10 7,2 32 15,6 6 4,8

EcB-BR
581 332 23 8 50 16,6 10 5,8

NR
47910 13695 738 343 6488 32 1207 565

C
23 1,8 18 1,4 15 <2,0 0,06 <0,02

P
17 3,6 14 2,6 7 <2,0 0,03 <0,02

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Soil samples were collected from sites at the Zn processing and industrialization unit of Minas Gerais Metal Company (Companhia Mineira de Metais - CMM), which is located in the municipality of Trs Marias (Minas Gerais MG Brazil). Two areas that were contaminated with heavy metals and that had been subjected to rehabilitation systems for seven to eight years were sampled. The systems included replacement of a part of the contaminated soil with non-contaminated borrow soil and planting of Eucalyptus camaldulensis with and without sowing of Brachiaria decumbens. For the purpose of comparison, a contaminated non-rehabilitated (NR) and two non-contaminated areas, Cerrado (C) and pasture (P) were used (Figure1). Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-20 cm and included 10 composite samples that were originated from five single samples at plantation rows and in-between the rows. Five composite samples were collected at the NR, C, and P sites for a total of 55 experimental plots. The soluble heavy metal content of Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb were extracted using Mehlich-1 solution (aqua regia as the extractor for soil heavy metals) and the total heavy metal content was determined using the USEPA 3051 method. The BRSP and EE-BRSP contents were determined using sodium citrate as extraction solution added to 1 g of soil followed by autoclaving and centrifugation. Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were used to generate the standard curve. Readings were performed on a spectrophotometer at 595 nm.

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3 2.5 2 b 1.5 1 0.5 0 Ec-R Ec-BR EcB-R EcB-BR EE-BRSP dD NR BRSP P C bB cC b b B A A a A

Figure 2 - Total BRSP and easily extractable glomalin (EE-BRSP) contents of the soil in areas of study. Uppercase letters = comparison of BRSP values; lowercase letters = comparison of EE-BRSP values. Bars with the same letter do not differ on ScottKnott test (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
The glomalin levels were negatively correlated with the concentrations of heavy metals in the soil, suggesting that these attributes of communities of mycorrhizal fungi can be considered good indicators of rehabilitation of soils contaminated with Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd.

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