EFFECTS OF THE USE OF BAUXITE MINING RESIDUES ON MICRONUTRIENT AND SODIUM LEVELS IN SUGARCANE

Abstract

Population growth and the consequent demand for consumer goods as well as the increase in industrial development generates great amounts of residues. The aluminum extraction industry pruduces mainly residues from the industrial processing of bauxite, in amounts correlated with the industry size and they are disposed of in large containment lakes, causing significant environmental impact. Thus, the objective of the present study was to verify, in a protected environment, the effect of the addition of bauxite residues on sugarcane plants (SP92 4221), in relation to micronutrient levels in the plant. The following levels of bauxite processing residues were added to 10 litres containers: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% of the volume of the containers, corresponding to 0, 28, 56, 84, 112 and 140 t ha-1. Results indicate that application of bauxite mining residues increased the levels of Mn and Na in the plants and decreased Zn, Cu and Fe absorption, and that higher levels of the residue inhibited the development of the crop.