Variação composicional dos solos do Cabo Mondego (Portugal): novos dados de suporte para estudos ambientais

ABSTRACT: This study aims to determine physicochemical parameters of soils from Cabo Mondego area (Central Portugal), allowing the establishment of the natural background to serve as a reference to identify variations resulting from industrial activities. Forty-three surface soil samples were collected near the deactivated industrial complex and another seven in more distant areas. The soils present a predominantly sandy texture and pH values in the alkaline range, which reflects the geological signature. The soils electrical conductivity of five samples present values above the Portuguese reference value for contaminated soils. The anomalous values measured in a sample (CM-S3) were related to the presence of coal mining wastes located nearby. From the determined elements, the most abundant is Ca reflecting the limestone rocks composition, and a lithological control was identified in the spatial analysis, where higher concentrations of Fe and Al are coincident to the spatial occurrence of carbonaceous complex and limestones.