Vinasse is a byproduct of the process of distillation of sugarcane juice for the manufacture of sugar and alcohol. Because it is rich in nutrients, mainly potassium (K), is used as fertilizer and applied via fertigation, without concerning for the fate of this compound in the soil. Thus, the objective of the study was to evaluate the interactions of the potassium ion (K + ), applied via vinasse in a soil representative of the sugarcane zone of the State of Pernambuco using adsorption isotherms. The methodology was based on physical, chemical and soil mineralogical characterization, as well as equilibrium batch tests, where the experimental curves were fitted by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The results allowed to infer that the Freundlich model showed better fit of the curve in both forms: linear and non-linear (direct fit); the non-linear model was selected due to the values of coefficient of determination (R²). The interaction between potassium and soil occurred mainly with organic matter and the presence of soil kaolinite, because they showed negative ions on the external surface, thereby promoting potassium adsorption. Soil potassium adsorption capacity was higher for the first layer (0-20 cm) and decreased along the depth profile.

In the plantation of sugarcane, Imazapic has used pre- or post-emergence, alone or in combination with other herbicides. When applied to the soil in pre-emergence, Imazapic can undergo the sorption, leaching and/or degradation processes due to physical, chemical and biological effects, besides being absorbed by weeds. The objective of this work was to evaluate the interaction and mobility of the Imazapic herbicide in the soil where the soil columns with a dystrophic Yellow Ultisol (YUd) and a dystrophic Red-Yellow Oxisol (RYOd) from northeastern Brazil were used. The higher adsorption potential of the RYOd is associated with higher clay content, higher Fed and Feo concentrations, and soil acidic pH. The CDE – 2 sorption sites model adequately represented the experimental data from the Imazapic breakthrough curves to the RYOd and YUd soils. From the Kd partition coefficients for RYOd and YUd, high values of the GUS index (5.94 and 7.04, respectively) were calculated, confirming the high leaching potential of the Imazapic molecule in these soils.

The Local Production Arrangement, located in the Pernambuco’s Agreste state, has been significantly developing the region's economy. Despite its importance, industrial activity has caused relevant environmental concerns regarding the disposal of textile effluents, especially from industrial laundries. This waste is made up of many chemicals, and among them are various types of heavy metals. The evaluation of the sorption behavior of contaminant transport mechanisms such as heavy metals is essential to assess the risk of contamination of alluvial aquifers. This study evaluated the sorption of heavy metals (Cu and Cd) in an alluvial sediment deposit in the Capibaribe River. Kinetics and isotherm experiments allowed the analyses of Cu and Cd sorption. Kinetics sorption showed an equilibrium tendency after 16 h for Cu and 18 h for Cd and was better described by a pseudo-second order model. The isotherm data were adjusted to the Linear, Freundlich and Langmuir models. Both linear and Freundlich models satisfactorily described sorption isotherms for the two pollutants. The metals in the study represent a risk of contamination of the groundwater of alluvial aquifers, mainly due to physicochemical attributes of the soil, such as high sand content (85%), low MO (2.1 g kg-1) and alkaline pH (8.2). The environmental conditions decrease absorption and facilitate metal mobility, greatly increasing the environmental risks inherent in pollutant leaching. Cu showed a higher affinity with the soil studied in all assays performed compared with the results of the tests for Cd.