Arsenic in groundwater of the Callacame river basin, and its impact on agricultural soils in Desaguadero, Puno-Perú

Calcina-Benique M.E.; Calcina-Rondán L.E.; Huaraya-Chambi F.R.; Salas-Camargo A.R.; Tejada-Meza K. · DYNA (Colombia) (2022) · DOI: 10.15446/dyna.v89n221.98319

Resumen

Arsenic is an element present in the environment in both organic and inorganic forms, being its inorganic form more toxic. The present investigation sought to quantify the arsenic present in groundwater and soil samples and to identify the impact on agricultural soils in the Callacame river basin. Samples were collected and prepared for analysis using EPA 6020 methodology with ICP-MS. The results showed arsenic concentrations in groundwater ranging from 3 to 446 ug/L, in soils from 10 to 42.7 mg/Kg. In the case of groundwater, there were 4 points that exceeded the environmental quality standards for the country of origin of the samples (Peru). It was concluded that in the future, without adequate monitoring, bioaccumulation and biomagnification processes may occur because of the irrigation of soils with groundwater contaminated with arsenic. © The author; licensee Universidad Nacional de Colombia.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa; Universidad Nacional del Altiplano; Universidad Tecnológica del Perú; Universidad Católica de Santa María