EXTRACTION OF HEAVY METALS IN SOILS AND SEDIMENTS OF LA VILLA RIVER BASIN IN PANAMA

With the objective of determining, through sequential extraction procedures, the concentration of heavy metals in its different phases in soils and sediments under intensive agricultural activity within the basin of the La Villa river. 41 Samples of soil and sediments were taken in the rainy season of 2016 (April-December) and the dry season of 2017 (January-March). The total content of Cu, Zn, Cr, Cd, Ni, Pb and As was measured and speciation was performed according to the Keller and Védy methodology. Bar graphs were prepared, and the averages of each fraction were compared by means of the Student´s t test. In the soil Cu levels were found and in the sediments Cu, Cr and As above the levels allowed by the European Union standard. Cd, Pb and As showed high percentages in the fractions soluble in water and interchangeable, being these bioavailable and therefore offer greater environmental risk. Cd, Pb and As through Student's t test showed statistically significant probabilities that their levels are higher than the average in the future. The presence of these heavy metals is attributed to anthropogenic action in soils and sediments of the La Villa river basin.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Villarreal-Núñez, José Ezequiel, Santo-Pineda, Adolfo, Villalaz-Pérez, Jhon Alexander, Ballesteros, Neldis
Format: Digital revista
Language:spa
Published: Instituto de Innovación Agropecuaria de Panamá 2020
Online Access:http://www.revistacienciaagropecuaria.ac.pa/index.php/ciencia-agropecuaria/article/view/126
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