Assessment and Analysis of Soil Quality in an Industrial Zone from Lima, Peru Using the Grey Clustering Method

Abstract

Within the district of Ventanilla there are many lead smelting companies, which emit gases containing heavy metals that, when transported to human settlements, could be causing damage to the health of the population, mostly harming young children. At present, the evaluation of soil quality involves the monitoring of various indicators that are analysed independently, leaving aside the systemic approach in which the elements interact and often restrict each other, making the analysis very complex. In this sense, a superior analysis system is proposed based on the Grey Clustering method, which is based on the theory of grey systems, an artificial intelligence approach that allows for an integral evaluation and takes into account the high degree of uncertainty present in the environment. The proposed methodology was used for the study of soil quality in the industrial park of the district of Ventanilla - Mi Perú, specifically in 3 Areas of Potential Interest (API): "Mercado Virgen de Guadalupe", "Patio de La I.E.P. Arturo Padilla Espinoza" and "AA.HH. Las Casuarinas". The results of the evaluation of soil quality using the Grey Clustering method showed that 40% of the total number of monitoring points have very poor soil quality, with the Virgen de Guadalupe Market area having 75% of the monitoring points with very poor soil quality. Finally, the present study can be of great use to the competent authorities related to the surveillance and monitoring of soil quality, as well as the health of the nearby population in order to make decisions on the control of nearby industrial activities.