QUANTIFICATION OF HEAVY METALS IN THE CULTIVATION OF STRAWBERRY (Fragariaxananassa Duch. var. festival) IN TENANCINGO AND VILLA GUERRERO, ESTADO DE MÉXICO

Abstract

A theme of great concern today is the environmental impact generated by agriculture from the use of agrichemicals, in some cases in high quantities. In addition to this, there is soil pollution and water used with toxic substances, derived from anthropocentric actions, as is the case of heavy metals. The objective of this study was to determine the presence and concentration of heavy metals: Al, As, Cr, Pb, Cu and Zn in strawberry fruits (Fragaria xananassa Duch.) var. festival, soil and water used in its production. The samples were collected from micro tunnel and open field crops in Tenancingo and Villa Guerrero, Estado de México, respectively. Twenty (20) samples of the fruit were collected, 12 of soil (0-30 cm) and 10 of water. The determination of heavy metals was performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results show that Al and Zn were the elements present in highest quantity (mg kg^-1) both in strawberry fruits and in the soil and water. Cr was detected in Villa Guerrero in fruit and water, while Pb was seen in fruits from Tenancingo.