Methods for establishing baseline values for heavy metals in agricultural soils:: Prospects for Colombia

摘要

From an environmental perspective, the importance of heavy metals in soils is related to their toxicity either due to accumulation or to any interaction among them and some of their specific properties. In each case, heavy metals can move through the soil profile and transfer into the trofic chain by using through water bodies or crops affecting de human health. In developed countries, the establishment of baseline values has permitted improvements in the environmental management plans of soils. Baseline values are transforming in a control tool for environmental agencies to test the impact of heavy metals in a variety of agricultural activities. This article analyses different concepts related to heavy metals levels in agricultural soils and the incidents of the soil characteristics on their concentration, at the same time some methodologies to obtain specific baseline values from identification of the natural concentration are reviewed. Also included are some prospects for Colombia related to soil protection and remediation. Currently, in Colombia there are no studies related to obtain baseline values of heavy metals in agricultural soils. For this reason it is necessary to get support from government agencies such as the Ministry of Environment, housing and territorial development and Ministry of agriculture, in order to start and develop research in some primary agricultural sectors to guarantee the production and the environmental sustainability of soils.