Abstract
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.
Highlights
Soil degradation is presently one of the most serious environmental issues at the regional and global scales [1]
Our results showed that Cd concentration in the cacao-cultivated soils ranged from 1.1 to Ourkgresults that Cd concentration the cacao-cultivated soils(Figure ranged3A)
The results in this study showed a large variability in the Cd concentration of cacao-cultivated soils that ranged from 1.1 to 3.2 mg kg−1
Summary
Soil degradation is presently one of the most serious environmental issues at the regional and global scales [1]. In cacao plantations in South America, management factors such as the use of fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, organic farming [29] and forestry, as well as plant biodiversity, have been related to the total Cd contents in cacao plantation soils [19] and cacao beans [22]. The understanding of soil and land management factors influencing the Cd contents in cacao beans is only partially resolved, so further investigation is needed to evaluate how a site’s geological setting, climate and agroecological factors affects the levels of Cd in the soil [30]. We aimed to: (i) assess Cd concentrations regions of Peru, one of the main exporters of cacao products worldwide. Land management and planning in cacao cultivation in Peru and similar regions
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