Physical-chemical characterization and capacity of lead retention in the soils of the experimental field Yachay

Abstract

Yachay is a University and a technological park, there will generate solar energy projects through photovoltaic panels. This process could generate Lead contamination in soil because the most of batteries that store solar energy contain this metal. Physical-chemical characterization of soil allows to obtain extensive information of its properties. The objectives of this work were to characterize soils with parameters such as pH, humidity, electrical conductivity, actual and apparent density, porosity and organic matter; It was also proposed to relate the bioavailability and toxicity of lead to generate bases for future plans for control and contamination of agricultural soils in the area. The zig-zag method was used by selecting 10 geo-referenced sampling points in coordination with the Yachay Environmental Management. The IDW interpolation was used to represent these data. The pH resulted from 8.14 average, the moisture content was associated with a sandy-loam soil, Electrical Conductivity was 0.72 dS m^-1, and organic matter indicated soils suitable for agriculture. A Lead contamination experiment was designed in the soil and adsorption isotherms were performed. Thus, the Yachay soils presented a sandy-loam texture, the leaching and retention processes of Lead were low, a 15% Lead retention indicated that the Lead is not fixed in soils of Yachay.