Potentially Toxic Elements in Maize Agroecosystems of Españita, Tlaxcala
Agricultural practices can contribute to soil contamination with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), which have adverse effects on the environment and human health. For this reason, this study evaluated soil contamination by heavy metals and metalloids (PTEs) and its relationship with the management...
| Autores: | , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2025 |
| País: | México |
| Institución: | UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA CHAPINGO |
| Repositorio: | Revista de Geografía Agrícola |
| Idioma: | español |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:ojs2.revistas.chapingo.mx:article/1260 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://revistas.chapingo.mx/geografia/article/view/1260 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Prácticas agroecológicas metales pesados degradación del suelo agroecosistemas transición agroecológica Agroecological practices heavy metals soil degradation peasant agroecosystems |
| Sumario: | Agricultural practices can contribute to soil contamination with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), which have adverse effects on the environment and human health. For this reason, this study evaluated soil contamination by heavy metals and metalloids (PTEs) and its relationship with the management of maize agroecosystems under agroecological transition and conventional systems in Españita, Tlaxcala. The agroecosystems were characterized through interviews with farmers, and soil samples were analyzed to determine their properties and PTE concentrations. The results showed that both types of agroecosystems use low amounts of industrial agricultural inputs and integrate practices from both traditional small-scale farming and conventional agriculture. Additionally, PTE concentrations did not exceed maximum acceptable levels, indicating that the studied agroecosystems are a source of food free from heavy metal. Agroecosystems in agroecological transition showed a greater soil buffering capacity against PTEs, as they exhibited pH values closer to neutrality, higher organic matter content, and greater cation exchange capacity (CEC) compared to conventional agroecosystems. To reduce the potential for PTE contamination, the design and management of agroecosystems that enhance soil buffering capacity should be promoted, and the impact of other contaminants should also be studied. |
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