Origen, distribución y dinámica de metales pesados en suelos agrícolas: implicaciones edáficas y ambientales

Abstract

The increase in industrial, mining, and agricultural activities, especially due to the intensive use of fertilizers and irrigation with wastewater, has significantly raised the presence of heavy metals in agricultural soils. Among the most common contaminants are cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As). This review article examines the behavior of these metals in soil, their retention, and the effects they cause, considering soil properties as a key factor. Their mobility and availability in agricultural soils are also analyzed, explaining how they depend on factors such as pH, organic matter, soil texture, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Furthermore, the study explores how the uptake of these contaminants varies depending on plant species, metal availability in the soil, and the physicochemical characteristics of the land. The research highlights the urgency of implementing continuous monitoring systems, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and enforcing stricter regulations to mitigate soil contamination. Future research should focus on the development of predictive models for the dynamics of heavy metals in different soil types, the long-term evaluation of bioremediation techniques, and the combined impact of climate change and agricultural practices on the mobility of these contaminants.