Heavy Metals and Soil Properties in Agricultural Soils of the El Olivar Populated Center, Chillon River Basin, Peru

Anaya-Raymundo M.A.; Rodríguez-Rivera S.E.; Solier-Galindo B.J.; Ruiz-Janje A.; Angulo-Valdivia R.M. · Terra Latinoamericana (2026) · DOI: 10.28940/terralatinoamericana.v44i.2358

Resumen

Heavy metal contamination constitutes a significant threat to agricultural soils, compromising their quality, fertility, and long-term sustainability. This study evaluated the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), as well as the properties of agricultural soils in the populated center of El Olivar, located in the Chillón River basin, to assess compliance with the environmental quality standards established by Peruvian regulations. Three representative plots (Z1, Z2, and Z3) of one hectare each were established, and a total of 15 composite soil samples (five per plot) were collected at a depth of 0 - 30cm following the MINAM soil sampling guidelines. The samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after microwave-assisted acid digestion (EPA 3051A); soil properties, including pH, organic matter (OM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and texture, were determined using standard methods. The results showed that the concentrations of As (13.33-17.44 mg kg -1 ), Cd (0.64-0.83 mg kg -1 ), and Pb (31.27-32.02 mg kg -1 ) did not exceed the permissible limits established by MINAM. However, the soils exhibited critically low OM levels (1.08-1.42%), below the agronomic threshold of 2%. Soil pH varied significantly among plots ( p < 0.001 ), with Z2 exhibiting the lowest value (7.47), which could favor heavy metal mobility. Correlations between heavy metals and soil properties revealed plot-specific relationships, particularly the association between Cd and CEC in Z1 ( r = 0.904, p < 0.05 ) and Pb in Z2 ( r = 0.948, p < 0.05 ). These findings confirm compliance with Peruvian environmental standards for the heavy metals evaluated but highlight the need to implement sustainable management practices aimed at improving soil properties in the Chillón River basin.

Instituciones: Universidad Católica Sedes Sapientiae; Universidad Nacional de Educación Enrique Guzmán y Valle