3.1. Chemical and Physical Soil Parameters
In the particle size analysis, it is evident that the soil exhibits variations in texture between the two areas (Table 2). Area 1 has a higher clay content, classified as loamy clay, while Area 2 has a lower clay content. Considering the topography of the location, Area 1 is situated on flatter terrain, while Area 2 is on more undulating terrain. This difference in topography can exacerbate clay loss in Area 2 due to erosion, exposing the subsurface layer, which is more sandy and silty. Luz et al. (2023) have stated that soil erosion processes are influenced by various factors, including topography.
Table 2
Particle Size and Soil Texture Classification in Area 1 (DLS application) and Area 2 (no DLS application).
Area | Clay | Silt | Sand | Classification (LEMOS; SANTOS, 1984) |
(%) |
1 | 34.00 | 41.00 | 25.00 | Loamy clay |
2 | 18.00 | 46.00 | 36.00 | Loam |
Ksat indicates the amount of water that percolates through a unit volume of soil. Ksat is closely related to the quantity and continuity of pores within the soil and to any layers that may impede water flow. In this study, the Ksat in Area 1 is approximately 17 times lower than that in Area 2. This significant difference is partially attributed to the higher clay content in Area 1 compared to Area 2. However, the main reason is the land use in Area 1, which involves heavy traffic for the application of SLW, planting operations, cultural practices, and the harvest of annual crops. In contrast, in Area 2, soil use is less intensive, with no machine traffic, resulting in lower compaction and a Ksat of 0.864 cm.h− 1.
Table 3
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity (Ksat) in the Two Analyzed Areas.
Areas | k (cm.h− 1) |
1 | 0.050 |
2 | 0.864 |
Soil permeability depends on various factors, including the quantity, continuity, and size of pores, with compaction and discontinuities being responsible for a significant reduction in soil permeability to water (Beutler et al., 2001). In the case of SLW (Fertilizer or Lime) application, it can interfere with material percolation through the soil profile or even increase surface runoff.
According to Mancuso et al. (2014), soil management type strongly affects infiltration, and soil tillage helps with water penetration into the soil profile due to increased surface roughness and reduced runoff. Thus, soil management can affect infiltration and, consequently, local surface runoff.
Regarding soil chemical parameters, Table 4 presents the concentrations of the analyzed chemical elements in Areas 1 and 2. Considering all sampling points at three depths, in Area 1, 59 values exceeded the Quality Reference Values (VRQ) (FEPAM, 2014). Specifically, there were four samples with Zn levels above the VRQ (Points 2, 3, 4), 15 samples with Cu values above the permissible limit (in all points and depths), 12 with Co values exceeding the limit (in all points), 11 with Cr levels exceeding the limit (in all points), and 15 samples with Cd levels exceeding the limit, in all points and depths.
In Area 2, six samples had Zn levels above the permissible limit (Points 1, 3, 4), 14 samples with Cu levels exceeding the limit (in all points), 12 samples had Co levels exceeding the limit (in all points), eight samples with Cr levels exceeding the limit (in all points), and 15 samples had Cd levels exceeding the limit (in all points and depths) (Table 4).
Table 4
Concentration of Chemical Elements at Soil Sampling Points and Depths Analyzed in Area 1 (with DLS application) and Area 2 (without DLS application).
Points | Prof. ¹ | Zn | Cu | Co | Cr | Cd |
(mg.kg− 1) |
AREA 1 |
P1 | 0.00 | 90.38 | 250.76* | 75.14* | 74.28* | 2.16* |
0.50 | 85.00 | 226.86* | 69.84* | 62.78 | 1.20* |
1.00 | 89.06 | 249.06* | 55.00* | 76.20* | 4.12* |
P2 | 0.00 | 175.24* | 253.48* | 104.06* | 64.90* | 1.08* |
0.50 | 115.58* | 268.78* | 81.44* | 80.58* | 2.52* |
1.00 | 61.64 | 230.62* | 31.88 | 38.26 | 3.42* |
P3 | 0.00 | 72.72 | 218.30* | 43.80 | 62.78 | 0.72* |
0.50 | 184.16* | 274.20* | 76.88* | 72.32* | 2.70* |
1.00 | 98.18 | 240.20* | 62.56* | 69.68* | 1.20* |
P4 | 0.00 | 161.06* | 273.86* | 56.92* | 65.58* | 2.88* |
0.50 | 94.94 | 226.52* | 56.28* | 78.10* | 1.98* |
1.00 | 59.50 | 277.26* | 43.80 | 78.10* | 3.96* |
P5 | 0.00 | 91.60 | 203.88* | 51.12* | 69.00* | 0.90* |
0.50 | 54.22 | 202.52* | 49.16* | 30.80 | 1.26* |
1.00 | 73.84 | 296.20* | 56.92* | 66.96* | 1.20* |
| AREA 2 |
P1 | 0.00 | 75.66 | 237.80* | 64.40* | 69.00* | 1.98* |
0.50 | 59.92 | 229.60* | 23.72 | 39.14 | 0.72* |
1.00 | 104.46* | 230.28* | 93.02* | 66.96* | 2.70* |
P2 | 0.00 | 90.28 | 261.98* | 88.68* | 56.96 | 2.52* |
0.50 | 98.68 | 369.24* | 45.82 | 62.78 | 0.90* |
1.00 | 101.02 | 222.08* | 66.82* | 72.98* | 2.16* |
P3 | 0.00 | 100.20 | 259.26* | 63.78* | 59.92 | 2.52* |
0.50 | 110.62* | 249.74* | 72.80* | 59.92 | 0.90* |
1.00 | 175.74* | 254.16* | 102.52* | 72.98* | 2.80* |
P4 | 0.00 | 107.18* | 216.24* | 84.26* | 71.66* | 2.34* |
0.50 | 110.02* | 280.30* | 122.40* | 83.64* | 2.52* |
1.00 | 163.88* | 298.22* | 108.14* | 96.30* | 2.52* |
P5 | 0.00 | 54.22 | 139.54 | 49.16* | 34.60 | 3.42* |
0.50 | 71.30 | 254.16* | 55.64* | 78.10* | 2.70* |
1.00 | 77.50 | 249.74* | 41.76 | 59.92 | 0.72* |
VRQ² | | 102 | 165 | 49.00 | 64.00 | 0.48 |
* Highlighted values above the 75th percentile Quality Reference Values (VRQ) for the Geological Geomorphological Province of volcanic rocks in the Plateau region. ¹ Depth; ² VRQ (FEPAM, 2014).
Table 5 illustrates the statistical analysis of the variables examined. For the element Zn, there was no significant difference (P < 0.05) between the areas at soil collection depths of 0 and 0.50 m. However, at a depth of 1 m, there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the areas, with a higher average value in Area 2 (without SLW application).
Ernani et al. (2001) conducted a study involving SLW and zinc oxide application to soil and found that the addition of up to 150 mg.kg− 1 of Zn in Oxisols did not cause any harm to this nutrient at the initial stage of maize development, confirming a wide range between sufficiency and toxicity of Zn in this soil. In the case of swine production, Zn can be added to the diet at dosages of up to 2,400 mg.kg− 1 to address gastrointestinal disorders induced by weaning (Menten et al., 1992), with most of it being excreted in feces. Scherer et al. (2010) state that in clayey soils, the nutrient Zn predominantly accumulates in the soil surface, especially in the presence of high organic matter content. In this study, this condition is confirmed when comparing the levels in the topsoil of Area 1 with those in Area 2.
For the element Cu, the average values found did not show a significant difference between the areas in this study, whether with or without SLW application, across all depths. In a study conducted by Motta et al. (2019) in the Turvo State Park, RS, the average value found for this element was 131.80 mg.kg− 1, lower than those found in the present research. Cu and Zn are important micronutrients for animal nutrition and are present in the mineral complexes used in feed formulation (Menten et al., 1992).
Therefore, it is essential to manage the proper application of swine waste in soil, as several authors have identified significant increases in this element in different soil layers (Leinweber; Eckhardt; 2001; Zhao et al., 2009; Mukherjee et al., 2011, Martinez-Martinez et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2016). Additionally, there may be naturally occurring Cu in the region (CPRM, 2006). In the municipality of Palmitinho - RS, near the study area, Candaten (2023) analyzed Cu and Zn concentrations in native forest areas, where values were 224.90 and 150.60 mg.kg− 1, respectively, similar to those found in this research.
For the chemical element Co, soil values ranged from 50.03 to 82.45 mg.kg− 1 (Table 5). There was no significant difference between the studied areas at soil collection depths of zero and 0.50 m (Table 5). However, at a depth of 1.0 m, there was a significant difference between the areas, with a higher average value in Area 2 (without SLW application). Motta et al. (2019) found background values for this element to be 61.70 mg.kg− 1, lower than most values found in both areas of the present study. The results are similar to those obtained by Pereira (2020), who also determined the effects on the physicochemical properties of the soil with swine waste application in the same type of soil as in this study, finding higher levels of Cr and Cd in the area without swine waste application.
For the element Cr, the average values found did not show a significant difference between the areas at all depths analyzed in this study. It was observed that the highest Cr concentrations occurred in the area with SLW application. Brandão et al. (2021) assert that this element is harmful to plants at any concentration and does not qualify as an essential or beneficial element for plant nutrition. Regarding Cd, the average soil values did not show a significant difference between the areas and depths analyzed. All concentrations in this study were above the Quality Reference Values (VRQ) established by FEPAM (2014).
Table 5
Average values found for the analyzed chemical elements in soils from an area with fertigation use (Area 1) and an area without fertigation use (Area 2) in pig farming.
Depth1 | 0.0 | 0.50 | 1.00 |
Zinc (Zn) ² | |
| Mean1 ± EP | Mean1 ± EP | Mean1 ± EP |
Area 1 | 118.20 ± 20.79 a | 106.78 ± 21.73 a | 76.44 ± 7.57 b |
Area 2 | 85.51 ± 9.45 a | 90.11 ± 9.29 a | 124.52 ± 19.15 a |
Copper (Cu) 2 |
Area 1 | 240.06 ± 12.69 a | 239.78 ± 13.71 a | 258.67 ± 12.20 a |
Area 2 | 222.96 ± 22.43 a | 276.61 ± 24.53 a | 250.90 ± 13.24 a |
Cobalt (Co) 2 |
Area 1 | 66.21 ± 10.79 a | 66.72 ± 6.11 a | 50.03 ± 5.47 b |
Area 2 | 70.06 ± 7.27 a | 64.06 ± 16.60 a | 82.45 ± 12.40 a |
Chromium (Cr) 2 |
Area 1 | 67.31 ± 12.42 a | 64.92 ± 9.06 a | 65.84 ± 7.19 a |
Area 2 | 58.43 ± 6.55 a | 64.71 ± 7.80 a | 73.83 ± 6.11 a |
Cadmium (Cd) 2 |
Area 1 | 1.55 ± 0.42 a | 1.93 ± 0.31 a | 2.78 ± 0.66 a |
Area 2 | 2.56 ± 0.24 a | 1.55 ± 0.44 a | 2.18 ± 0.38 a |
Values expressed as mean ± standard error. Means followed by different letters (in the column) indicate a significant difference between the areas studied (P < 0.05). 1 Depth: m; Chemical elements: mg/kg− 1.
In addition to the presented results (Tables 4 and 5), it is noticeable that, in general, there was a reduction in the concentration of the elements Zn, Co, and Cr with depth in Area 1. According to Leinweber et al. (2001), the lack of an increase in the chemical elements Zn, Co, and Cr in the soil depth after swine manure application may be related to the formation of insoluble complexes of these elements with other soil components.
Plants can also be responsible for the uptake of Zn and Cu, primarily, preventing them from reaching the deeper soil layers (Soares et al., 2004). The soil characteristic in the study area (clay-rich soil) may hinder the vertical migration of these elements, causing them to be more concentrated at the surface. In Area 2, there was an increase in the concentration of all the analyzed chemical elements with depth, which may be associated with the translocation of the elements through the soil profile, the clay fraction, or iron oxides present in this type of soil (Streck et al., 2018).