Abstract

HERNANDEZ ORDAZ, Guillermo et al. Behavior of arsenic in soils of the region lagunera of Coahuila, Mexico. Terra Latinoam [online]. 2013, vol.31, n.4, pp.295-303. ISSN 2395-8030.

Research on arsenic in the Lagunera region has focused on quality and recovery of extracted groundwater, which contains high concentrations (> 0.20 mg L-1) of arsenic (As). Several studies worldwide have established that the addition of phosphate fertilizers in agricultural soils favors As availability in the soil solution. However, knowledge of the behavior of this metalloid in agricultural soils of La Laguna is scarce. The objectives of this study were to determine the concentration of arsenic available in different soils of the region and to evaluate the behavior of arsenic in soil after adding phosphorus (P). Four different agricultural soil profiles were described. Soil samples were collected and three columns of each profile were used as permeameters to verify vertical movement of As after adding phosphorus and irrigation levels simulating agricultural management. The soils were characterized physically and chemically; initial As content and final available As of each horizon of the permeameter were determined by the hydride generation spectroscopic method as well as soluble phosphorous concentration. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey comparison of means (P ≤ 0.05). The results show that addition of P to agricultural soils of La Laguna can increase available As in the topsoil (0-30 cm) up to 662%, without exceeding levels permitted by Mexican Standards NOM-147-SEMARNAT/SSA1 2004. This study will provide the basis for future research.

Keywords : arsenate; pollution.

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