Natural contents of metals in soils from basaltic origins in western Paraná, Brazil

This study aimed to determine the natural content of environmentally available metals (Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) in soils from basaltic origin (Oxisols, Ultisols, Entisols and Alfisols) in western Paraná. The metal ions were extracted with a 0.1 mol L-1 HCl acid solution and quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The highest Cu concentration (0.68 mg dm-3) was found in Oxisol, while the Ultisol had the highest Zn content (16.4 mg dm-3). The highest Fe and Mn contents were found in Oxisol (5.04 mg dm-3). The highest Mn content, in turn, was in the Ultisol (463.4 mg dm-3). Principal component analysis showed an association between Zn and Mn, and between Cu and clay. The data presented in this study can be used as a content reference for the environmentally available metal for similar soils and for environmental monitoring programs, since they are soils from preserved areas.