INTEC research reveals moderate levels of heavy metal contamination in rice soils in the Yuna River basin

Natividad Alberto, PhD student in Environmental Sciences from Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), stated that “Agricultural, mining and urban waste activities could contribute to the increase of heavy metals in rice soils in the middle and lower basin of the Yuna River”

SANTO DOMINGO. – A recent investigation carried out by Natividad Alberto, a PhD student in Environmental science of the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) determined that the levels of heavy metal contamination in the soils of the towns of Bonao, La Mata and Arenoso, three rice-growing areas in the middle and lower basin of the Yuna River, are low to moderate.

The study aimed to analyse the presence of potentially toxic elements in soils, as well as to identify current ecological risks and establish a baseline for future studies.

The main conclusions of the research indicated that the levels of heavy metal contamination in the study areas do not represent an immediate threat to the environment. However, the presence of these metals in cumulative concentrations could increase the ecological risk in the future, due to the persistent nature of heavy metals in the soil.

Another of the main findings of the research advised by Lizaira Bello, professor of the Area of ​​Basic and Environmental Sciences and Oscar Díaz, professor at the University of Havana, is that the surface soils of the three rice-growing areas analyzed meet the physicochemical parameters expected for healthy agricultural soils, showing adequate conditions for cultivation.

X-ray fluorescence analysis and evaluation of various international pollution indices confirmed low to moderate levels of metals such as lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and arsenic (As), associated with agricultural activities, while iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and chromium (Cr) are related to the natural characteristics of the soil.

Other metals, such as nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu), are probably linked to mining activities in the surrounding areas, the researcher acknowledged in her presentation.

Alberto suggested establishing reference values ​​for the content of heavy metals in the country's agricultural soils, in order to protect public, environmental and animal health. He also recommended the inclusion of highly toxic metals such as cadmium and mercury in future studies to expand research.

“This research offers valuable information on the current state of the quality of rice soils in the study areas, providing a baseline as a reference for future research,” said Alberto Then, who has published three articles in different scientific journals since this work. This research was funded by the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), by the National Fund for Innovation and Scientific and Technological Development (FONDOCYT) of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCYT).

The doctoral program in Environmental science INTEC represents an opportunity to train professionals at the highest level capable of promoting the development of scientific research and innovation, which will allow them to face technological challenges in topics of greater relevance and current interest focused on the country's strategic objectives, and framed within the institution's mission.

This program, together with the PhD in Energy Management, has generated a total of 16 research projects on topics that impact the sustainable development of the Dominican Republic.

Natividad Alberto is an adjunct researcher for the National Career of Researchers. She also works as a professor and researcher at the Physics Institute of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD).