Heavy metals currently represent a very important source of contamination, since their intake by humans and animals in many cases is the cause of serious damage to health. Soil, air, water and food are the most common pathways for heavy metals to reach organisms. Since soil is their origin, in this study we focus on soil analysis to determine the concentration of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Hg, Cd and Pb, which are the most toxic metals. The study site is the agricultural soils of the northwestern region of the Dominican Republic where bananas and rice are the main crops grown. Chromium levels in most samples exceeded the NOAA-USEPA Probable Effects Level (PEL). Other heavy metals were within the acceptable ranges for healthy soil, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
展开▼
