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Heavy metals input with phosphate fertilizers used in Argentina
L Giuffré de López Camelo1, S Ratto de Miguez, L Marbán
1Cátedra de Edafología, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Science of the Total Environment
|October 23, 1997
Summary
Conventional agriculture relies on phosphate fertilizers, which can contain heavy metals like cadmium and lead. Analysis of fertilizers in Argentina revealed varying metal concentrations, posing risks to soil and human food chains.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Chemistry
Background:
- Conventional agriculture's sustainability depends on agrochemicals, particularly phosphate fertilizers.
- Impurities in these fertilizers can lead to the inadvertent addition of heavy metals into agricultural systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze heavy metal concentrations (chromium, cadmium, copper, zinc, nickel, lead) in commonly used phosphate fertilizers in Argentina.
- To assess the potential risks associated with heavy metal accumulation in soils and transfer to the human food chain.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of various phosphate fertilizer samples commonly used in Argentina.
- Quantification of heavy metal concentrations including chromium, cadmium, copper, zinc, nickel, and lead.
Main Results:
- Rock phosphate exhibited the highest levels of cadmium and zinc.
- Diammonium phosphate showed enhanced chromium content.
- One superphosphate sample had high copper and lead levels.
- Urea-phosphate contained the lowest concentrations of heavy metals.
- Observed heavy metal levels, particularly cadmium and lead, were significant compared to natural soil abundances.
Conclusions:
- Fertilizer type significantly influences heavy metal content.
- Continuous application of these fertilizers can increase soil heavy metal loads beyond natural levels.
- The potential for heavy metal transfer from soil to the human food chain warrants serious consideration.