Publicação
Contamination and risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in irrigated agricultural soils (Southern Portugal)
| Resumo: | Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the degree of contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in agricultural soils, relating them to agricultural practices and analysing their ecological risk. Methods An assessment of the agronomic properties and levels of PTEs in soils was carried out on samples from agricultural farmlands in the Brinche-Enxoé system (Alentejo Region, Southern Portugal), collected at 0–20 cm, during five irrigation campaigns from 2018 to 2020. The study involved the development of key pollution indices namely, the Enrichment Factor (EF), the Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), and the Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI), to comprehensively assess type and degree of soil contamination. Results Soils presented a slightly alkaline pH (7.00-8.58), and low soil organic matter contents (0.76–3.03%). Zinc, Cu, and Cd concentrations were below the Portuguese and Canadian guideline limits. Although levels of Cr, Ni, and As exceeded both guidelines for the protection of environmental and human health in agricultural soils in several campaigns, they remained within the range of natural background values reported for the Ossa-Morena Zone (OMZ) region. Enrichment factor and Igeo indicate that the studied soils are predominantly unpolluted. The identified PTEs originate primarily from natural geological sources, consistent with the region’s location in the Ossa-Morena Zone. Furthermore, the potential ecological risk index (PERI) values, ranging from 7 to 47, confirm low risk to the local agroecosystem. Conclusions The results demonstrate that the predominant agricultural practices did not contribute significantly to PTE levels in irrigated soils. |
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| Autores principais: | Custódio, Mariana |
| Outros Autores: | Catarino, Adriana; Tomaz, Alexandra; Dôres, José Manuel de Jesus; Patanita, Manuel; Palma, Patrícia |
| Assunto: | Mediterranean region Alqueva hydro-agricultural system Ossa morena zone Soil healthy Soil pollution risk indices |
| Ano: | 2026 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | artigo |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso restrito |
| Instituição associada: | Instituto Politécnico de Beja |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Repositório Institucional do IPBeja |
| Resumo: | Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the degree of contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in agricultural soils, relating them to agricultural practices and analysing their ecological risk. Methods An assessment of the agronomic properties and levels of PTEs in soils was carried out on samples from agricultural farmlands in the Brinche-Enxoé system (Alentejo Region, Southern Portugal), collected at 0–20 cm, during five irrigation campaigns from 2018 to 2020. The study involved the development of key pollution indices namely, the Enrichment Factor (EF), the Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), and the Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI), to comprehensively assess type and degree of soil contamination. Results Soils presented a slightly alkaline pH (7.00-8.58), and low soil organic matter contents (0.76–3.03%). Zinc, Cu, and Cd concentrations were below the Portuguese and Canadian guideline limits. Although levels of Cr, Ni, and As exceeded both guidelines for the protection of environmental and human health in agricultural soils in several campaigns, they remained within the range of natural background values reported for the Ossa-Morena Zone (OMZ) region. Enrichment factor and Igeo indicate that the studied soils are predominantly unpolluted. The identified PTEs originate primarily from natural geological sources, consistent with the region’s location in the Ossa-Morena Zone. Furthermore, the potential ecological risk index (PERI) values, ranging from 7 to 47, confirm low risk to the local agroecosystem. Conclusions The results demonstrate that the predominant agricultural practices did not contribute significantly to PTE levels in irrigated soils. |
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