Soil, site, and management factors affecting cadmium concentration in cacao-growing soils
Soil contamination by potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) such as Cadmium (Cd), is a major environmental concern because of its potential implications to human health. Cacao-based products have been identified as food sources with relatively high Cd contents. Here, we assessed Cd concentrations of cacao-growing soils in four major agricultural regions with contrasting climates in Peru, one of the main exporters of cacao products worldwide. At each study site (n = 40) a broad range of potential factors affecting Cd concentration in soils, i.e., site, soil and management, were evaluated. Concentrations of Cd ranged between 1.1-3.2 mg kg-1. Mean values per region were below 2.7 mg kg-1, usually established as upper-limit for non-polluted soils. Cadmium concentrations were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in sites at higher elevations and in a temperate, drier climate. Cadmium correlated positively with pH (r = 0.57; p < 0.05) and was higher (p < 0.001) in alluvial sediments and Leptosols. Management factors (cacao variety, cultivation year, management practices) and agroecology did not affect Cd concentrations directly. Overall, this study highlights the importance of considering a broad range of both natural and anthropogenic factors to evaluate Cd concentrations in cacao-growing soils and contribute to effective and sustainable cacao production by improving land management and planning
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | info:eu-repo/semantics/article biblioteca |
| Language: | eng |
| Published: |
MDPI
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| Subjects: | Cacao plantation, Cadmium, Trace elements, Soil quality, Sustainable land management, https://purl.org/pe-repo/ocde/ford#4.01.04, Productos de cacao, Metales pesados, |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12955/1973 |
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