Concentrations of Available Heavy Metals in Mediterranean Agricultural Soils and their Relation with Some Soil Selected Properties: A Case Study in Typical Mediterranean Soils

Nunes, José Rato; Ramos-Miras, J.J.; López‐Piñeiro, Antonio; Loures, Luís; Gil, C.; Coelho, José Carlos; Loures, Ana

doi:10.3390/su6129124

Cited by 51 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 62 publications

(92 reference statements)

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“…The augmented number of subclasses in soil classification on our proposal on existing classification is, according to Alexander & Afonso [9] and Nunes et al [1], an important added value, as it allows us to obtain a much more detailed information distinguishing different soil stains, whose different characteristics (texture, organic matter content, useful depth, existence of an Impermeable soil layer, etc.) lead to the implementation of different irrigation schemes and cultural operations, which enable an increase in the sustainability of these fragile agricultural systems.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Man has been intervening for a long time in the Mediterranean region introducing sometimes changes that had fostered some sustainability problems to the existing ecosystem [1], in which the knowledge of the soil resource is increasingly important for every agricultural system [2][3][4]. Based on Sustainability 2016, 8, 368 2 of 15 this knowledge, we are able to analyze the presence of water and the possibility of practicing irrigation; on the contrary, if given the lack of fitness for a more intensive cultural system that is potentially more productive, one should opt to maintain a rain-fed agricultural system [5,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using GIS towards the Characterization and Soil Mapping of the Caia Irrigation Perimeter

et al. 2016

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Abstract:The Caia Irrigation Perimeter is an irrigation infrastructure implemented in 1968. As is often the case, the original soil map of this region (dated from 1961) does not have the detail needed to characterize a relatively small-sized zone, where intensive agricultural practices take place. Using FAO methodology and with the main goal of establishing a larger-scale soil map, adequate for the demands of a modern and intensive agriculture, we gathered the geological characterization of the study area and information about the topography, climate, and vegetation of the region. Using ArcGIS software, we overlapped this information and established a pre-map of soil resources. Based on this pre-map, we defined a set of detailed itineraries in the field, evenly distributed, in which soil samples were collected. In those distinct soil units, we opened several soil profiles, from which we selected 26 to analyze in the present study, since they characterized the existing diversity in terms of soil type and soil properties. Based on the work of verification, correction, and reinterpretation of the preliminary soil map, we reached a final soil map for the Caia Irrigation Perimeter, which is characterized by enormous heterogeneity, typical of Mediterranean soils, containing 23 distinct cartographic units, the most representative being the Distric Fluvisols with inclusions of Luvisols Distric occupying 29.9% of the total study area, and Calcisols Luvic with inclusions of Luvisols endoleptic with 11.9% of the total area. Considering the obtained information on soil properties; ArcGIS was used to develop a map in which it was possible to ascertain the impact of the continuous practice of irrigation in this area. This allows us to put forward relevant conclusions on the need to access and monitor specific Mediterranean soils in order to mitigate the environmental impact of irrigation practices.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using GIS towards the Characterization and Soil Mapping of the Caia Irrigation Perimeter

et al. 2016

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“…The order of heavy metal concentration in the soil was Cr > Pb > Cd, with a decreasing trend from the surface to the subsurface soil ( Table 1). The heavy metals' assimilation can be greatly influenced by the physiochemical properties of soil that, ultimately, also affect the root growth and mobility of the contaminants at different soil horizons [55].…”

Section: The Exploratory Analysis Of Soil Variablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Distribution and Mobility Assessment of Carcinogenic Heavy Metals in Soil Profiles Using Geostatistics and Random Forest, Boruta Algorithm

Shaheen

Iqbal

2018

Sustainability

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Abstract:In third world countries, industries mainly cause environmental contamination due to lack of environmental policies or oversight during their implementation. The Sheikhupura industrial zone, which includes industries such as tanneries, leather, chemical, textiles, and colour and dyes, contributes massive amounts of untreated effluents that are released directly into drains and used for the irrigation of crops and vegetables. This practice causes not only soil contamination with an excessive amount of heavy metals, but is also considered a source of toxicity in the food chain, i.e., bioaccumulation in plants and ultimately in human body organs. The objective of this research study was to assess the spatial distribution of the heavy metals chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), at three depths of soil using geostatistics and the selection of significant contributing variables to soil contamination using the Random Forest (RF) function of the Boruta Algorithm. A total of 60 sampling locations were selected in the study area to collect soil samples (180 samples) at three depths (0-15 cm, 15-30 cm, and 60-90 cm). The soil samples were analysed for their physico-chemical properties, i.e., soil saturation, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), pH, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and Cr, Cd, and Pb using standard laboratory procedures. The data were analysed with comprehensive statistics and geostatistical techniques. The correlation coefficient matrix between the heavy metals and the physico-chemical properties revealed that electrical conductivity (EC) had a significant (p ≤ 0.05) negative correlation with Cr, Cd, and Pb. The RF function of the Boruta Algorithm employed soil depth as a classifier and ranked the significant soil contamination parameters (Cr, Cd, Pb, EC, and P) in relation to depth. The mobility factor indicated the leachate percentage of heavy metals at different vertical depths of soil. The spatial distribution pattern of Cr, Cd, and Pb revealed spatial variability regarding subsoil horizons. Significant contamination was discovered near the Deg drain and the Bed Nallah irrigated area that indicated a high Cr topsoil contamination, and in a homogenous pattern in Cd and Pb (p < 0.05). Consequently, different soil management strategies can be adopted in an industrial irrigated area to reduce the contamination load of heavy metals in soil.

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“…Among the most important parameters for analyzing the effectiveness of EU environmental policies regarding soil conservation is organic matter content [25]. As a matter of fact, the Mediterranean climate, due to its peculiarities, such as the concentrated rainfall coinciding with winter months with low temperatures and low luminosity, leads to low yields [1] which, combined with its characteristics suitable for soil biological activity, lead to typically low organic matter [26][27][28] in the soils of this region [22], which according to several authors, [22,29] are generally below 1.5%. This aspect is particularly important since organic matter plays a fundamental role on the chemical, physical and biological fertility of the soil [29].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of the European Union Agricultural and Environmental Policies in the Sustainability of Most Common Mediterranean Soils

et al. 2017

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Agro-environmental measures promoted by the European Union focus mainly on environmental protection by maintaining sustainable levels of productivity that are adequate to the agro-ecological conditions of each region on different Member States. Among these European Union promoted measures the one known as “Extensive Forage Systems” is particularly relevant for the Mediterranean Region. In order to analyze the impact of this measure and to verify if the high expenditure of communitarian funds, with its implementation in Mediterranean soils, is aligned with the predicted benefits, a seven-year study in a southern Portugal region was conducted. In this regard, several soil chemical parameters such as organic matter, pH, electrical conductivity, “available” phosphorus, “available” potassium and heavy metal levels (Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb and Ni), were assessed, in 1329 different plots in order to represent some of the existing diversity of the Mediterranean environment, identified by the Portuguese Parcel Identification System, and considering the possibility to evaluate the evolution of these parameters on the main soil types of the region. The obtained results enabled us to verify that the application of the agro-environmental measure “Extensive Forage Systems” did not lead, during the 7 years of the study, to any significant change in terms of organic matter, soil pH and/or heavy metals content. Still it contributed for a small growth on “available” phosphorus and potassium levels and to a significant increase on Soil electrical conductivity (EC). As a final conclusion we can refer that the application of the agro-environmental measure “Extensive Forage Systems”, in soil, clime and cultural conditions prevailing in this study (Typical Mediterranean conditions from the South of Europe), did not reach its main objective, which was to increase the organic matter content in soils.

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Concentrations of Available Heavy Metals in Mediterranean Agricultural Soils and their Relation with Some Soil Selected Properties: A Case Study in Typical Mediterranean Soils

Cited by 51 publications

References 62 publications

Using GIS towards the Characterization and Soil Mapping of the Caia Irrigation Perimeter

Using GIS towards the Characterization and Soil Mapping of the Caia Irrigation Perimeter

Spatial Distribution and Mobility Assessment of Carcinogenic Heavy Metals in Soil Profiles Using Geostatistics and Random Forest, Boruta Algorithm

Effects of the European Union Agricultural and Environmental Policies in the Sustainability of Most Common Mediterranean Soils

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