Diagnosis of the presence of total Cr in soil and groundwater due to urban solid waste in Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract

Chromium (Cr) is among the first 20 most abundant elements on earth and is one of the heavy metals frequently found in leachates. This research aimed to diagnose the presence of total chromium in the soil and groundwater of the Cotaxtla aquifer due to the improper disposal of urban solid waste (USW) in Veracruz, Mexico. A soil and groundwater composite sample was collected from three deep wells adjacent to the study area. The total Cr concentration was obtained following the procedure established in the NMX-AA-051-SCFI-2001. The mean concentration of total chromium in groundwater was 0.0436 mgL^-1, and the maximum was 0.0585 mgL^-1. The average chromium concentration in the soil samples was 0.0978 mgL^-1, and the maximum of 0.112 mgL^-1. It was observed that there is a low correlation between the concentration of Cr in water and soil (p=0.173). However, total Cr concentrations in groundwater exceed the maximum permissible limits (0.05 mgL^-1) established in NOM-127-SSA-1994 for human consumption and the drinking water quality parameters of the international standards. The effects of Cr on human health due to exposures greater than those established are respiratory tract problems and skin lesions.