Geoavailability of potentially toxic elements in agricultural soils that represent a risk to the environment and the health of the population of the nevado de toluca, mexico

Abstract

In the Nevado de Toluca, Mexico the indiscriminate use of pesticides for food production (principally potato) has generated negative impacts on the physical and chemical properties of soil, which represents an imminent risk to environmental and human health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the total concentration and geoavailability fraction of the main potentially toxic elements (As, Pb and Cd) from the most used pesticides in agricultural soils of the Nevado de Toluca. The determination of heavy metals (Pb and Cd) was carried out by atomic emission spectroscopy with inductive coupling and in the case of the As, by atomic absorption spectroscopy with hydride generation. The results revealed a considerable total concentration of potentially toxic elements in the area whose geoavailability is evident. Therefore, there is evidence of global in the short term by the abuse of pesticides in this important region of the Nevado of Toluca, Mexico.