DOI: 10.3897/biorisk.24.182472

Authors: María del Pilar Herrera-Mendoza, Laura Sánchez-Castillo, Edmar Meléndez-Jaramillo, Eduardo Osorio-Hernández, Rafael Delgado-Martínez, Héctor Rodríguez-Morán

Abstract: Soil pollution by heavy metals has increased due to anthropogenic activities, particularly agriculture, where intensive agrochemical use contributes to contaminant accumulation. Evaluating metal bioavailability is essential to understand potential risks in cultivated soils. This study aimed to assess the presence of heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Cr and Pb) in orange orchard soils by analysing their bioavailable concentrations and the soil physicochemical properties influencing their bioavailability. An exploratory soil sampling was conducted, collecting 60 soil samples from six orchards in the Municipality of Hidalgo. Samples were processed using diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid extraction and quantified by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Six soil physicochemical properties were also evaluated. Descriptive statistical parameters and Spearman’s correlation analysis were applied to assess the relationship between variables. The bioavailable concentrations of HMs followed the order Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd, with ranges of 1.1–3.2, 0.1–0.8, 0.2–0.4 and 0.04–0.2 mg/kg, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between particle density and bulk density, porosity, pH and electrical conductivity and the bioavailable concentrations, suggesting a significant association between these properties and heavy metal bioavailability. These findings demonstrate that soil physicochemical properties strongly influence metal mobility and highlight the need for continuous monitoring in agricultural areas. Changes in management practices could alter these properties and increase metal bioavailability, potentially raising toxicological risks.

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DOI: 10.3897/biorisk.23.173254

Authors: Laura Sanchez-Castillo, Edmar Melendez-Jaramillo, Santos Daniel Chicas, Ma. Teresa de Jesus Segura Martinez, Marisol Gonzalez-Delgado

Abstract: Shallow landslides and erosional problems in mountain areas are a recurrent issue that can represent a threat to human life and impact landscape ecology in many ways. Soil bioengineering is an approach that uses biological and ecological knowledge and engineering design principles to restore shallow-landslide-affected slopes. Tree species can be used as elements of soil bioengineering to reduce erosion and provide reinforcement through their roots. For this reason, we estimated the mechanical properties of thin tree roots from three vegetation communities along an elevational gradient. Our results showed that Piper amalago and Pinus teocote consistently exhibited higher mechanical properties than all species analyzed. The absence of a consistent altitudinal trend suggests that local site conditions and species-specific traits have a stronger influence on root mechanics than elevation alone.

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DOI: 10.3897/biorisk.15.58455

Authors: Jessica Borbolla-Vazquez, Paul Ugalde-Silva, José León-Borges, Job Alí Díaz-Hernández

Abstract: The large increase in population in Cancun, Mexico has increased domestic, agricultural and industrial activities, resulting in inadequate solid and liquid waste management that can affect underground aquifers. One of the factors which affects water quality is coliform bacteria. The present study focused on determining the presence of total and faecal coliforms in ten urban cenotes in Cancun. Sampling was carried out in the dry and rainy seasons of 2018. The Most Probable Number (MPN) technique was used to determine the concentration of coliform bacteria. The results from the analyses indicate that the ten cenotes are contaminated with total and faecal coliforms. Additionally, the concentration of coliforms increases during the rainy season. We conclude that all the cenotes are contaminated with faecal coliforms and suggest that more studies are necessary to determine the origin of this contamination and the impact on the ecosystem.

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