Remediation of a lead and cadmium contaminated site through a wetland

摘要

This work investigated soil contamination by heavy metals in an area of past disposal of slag produced by lead ore smelting in Santo Amaro da Purificacao, Bahia State, Brazil. Preliminary investigations have been carried out in a pilot area, throughthe characterization of slag, soil, surface and subterranean waters. The evaluation of the contamination was accomplished by means of quantitative chemical analyses for lead, cadmium organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, as well as soil texture and pH. The high levels of metals found in an artificial wetland in the area suggests that it acts as a control zone and metal retention device, being effective in water pollution reduction.