TY - JOUR
T1 - Soil, site, and management factors affecting cadmium concentrations in cacao-growing soils
AU - Scaccabarozzi, Daniela
AU - Castillo, Luis
AU - Aromatisi, Andrea
AU - Milne, Lynne
AU - Castillo, Adolfo Búllon
AU - Muñoz-Rojas, Miriam
PY - 2020/6
Y1 - 2020/6
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Cacao plantation
KW - Cadmium
KW - Soil quality
KW - Sustainable land management
KW - Trace elements
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85086506636&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/agronomy10060806
DO - 10.3390/agronomy10060806
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85086506636
SN - 2073-4395
VL - 10
JO - Agronomy
JF - Agronomy
IS - 6
M1 - 806
ER -