TITLE:
Heavy Metals in Soils Associated with Fertilizers in Trinidad
AUTHORS:
Rosanna Beharry, Andrea Joseph, Andre Gordon, Mitko Voutchkov
KEYWORDS:
Heavy Metals, Pollution, Toxicity Level, Pollution Index, Agricultural Soil, Health Effects
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.11 No.1,
January
31,
2023
ABSTRACT: Heavy
metals in agricultural soil pose human health risks through food consumption.
In a novel study for Trinidad, concentration and pollution index levels of
heavy metals were assessed from 18 agricultural farms using the X-Ray
fluorescence technique, then to evaluate the Geo-accumulation and Nemerow’s
Integrated Pollution indexes. Toxic elements Pb and As were present but soil
quality due to anthropogenic input was found as unpolluted. Overall heavy metal
pollution was classified at a precautionary level for 33% of farms, slightly
polluted for 61% and moderately polluted for 6% of the farms assessed, thus,
regular monitoring and mitigation measures are important for food safety and
human health in Trinidad.