Heavy metal concentrations in soils from a remote oceanic island, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Soil heavy metal concentrations on Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, are primarily influenced by the geochemical composition of parent volcanic rocks, with pedogenesis driving the accumulation of zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and copper (Cu) in upper soil horizons. Mercury (Hg) appears to originate from long-range atmospheric transport, facilitated by organic matter complexation. The study analyzed 43 soil samples from five profiles, revealing that clay minerals do not significantly bind heavy metals. This research highlights the interplay between geological and pedogenic factors in shaping metal distributions on remote oceanic islands.

Oliveira, S. M. B. d., Pessenda, L. C. R., Gouveia, S. E. M., & Favaro, D. I. T. (2011). Heavy metal concentrations in soils from a remote oceanic island, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil. Anais Da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 83(4), 1193–1206. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0001-37652011005000042