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Geochemical Characterization of Soil and Water in an Agricultural Area for the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources

Author

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  • Ana C. González-Valoys

    (Facultad de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Avenida Ricardo J. Alfaro, Campus Universitario Dr. Víctor Levi Sasso, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama
    SNI-SENACYT Sistema Nacional de Investigación-Secretaria Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación, Clayton, Ciudad del Saber Edif. 205, Panama City 0816-02852, Panama
    Centro de Estudios Multidisciplinarios en Ciencias, Tecnología e Ingeniería, Avenida Ricardo J. Alfaro, Campus Universitario Dr. Víctor Levi Sasso, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama)

  • Tamir Chong

    (Facultad de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Avenida Ricardo J. Alfaro, Campus Universitario Dr. Víctor Levi Sasso, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama)

  • Jonatha Arrocha

    (Centro Experimental de Ingeniería, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Vía Tocumen, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama)

  • Javier Lloyd

    (Centro Experimental de Ingeniería, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Vía Tocumen, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama)

  • Jorge Olmos

    (Centro Experimental de Ingeniería, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Vía Tocumen, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama)

  • Fidedigna Vergara

    (Centro Experimental de Ingeniería, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Vía Tocumen, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama)

  • Medin Denvers

    (Grupo de Investigación de Materiales, Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y Tecnología, Universidad de Panamá, Campus Universitario Harmodio Arias Madrid, Panama 4, Panama City P.O. Box 3366, Panama)

  • Juan Jaén

    (Grupo de Investigación de Materiales, Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y Tecnología, Universidad de Panamá, Campus Universitario Harmodio Arias Madrid, Panama 4, Panama City P.O. Box 3366, Panama)

  • Samantha Jiménez-Oyola

    (Faculty of Engineering in Earth Sciences, ESPOL Polytechnic University, ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo, Km. 30.5 Vía Perimetral, Guayaquil 090902, Ecuador)

  • Francisco Jesús García-Navarro

    (Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Agrónomos de Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha University, Ronda de Calatrava 7, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain)

Abstract

The Herrera township (86.0 km 2 ), located in La Chorrera, is Panama’s leading pineapple production area. Ensuring sustainable agricultural management in this region is crucial for long-term productivity, resource conservation, and environmental protection. This study evaluates soil and irrigation water quality to provide insights into improved management practices. Soil samples were analyzed for pH, EC, OM, SM, CEC, texture, and content of Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, N, P, Si, Sr, and Zn. Water samples, including surface water and groundwater, were assessed for Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, N, HCO 3 , SO 4 , PO 4 , NO 3 -N, and salinity. Soil quality was evaluated using the Igeo, and geospatial techniques were applied to map the soil parameter distribution. The water quality analysis confirmed its suitability for irrigation, though groundwater in the central area requires caution due to elevated Na levels and a moderate risk of salinization. Soil maps indicate adequate levels of essential nutrients but highlight the need for N amendments. This study is the first comprehensive assessment of an agricultural township in Panama, providing critical data for decision-making and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices that enhance resource management and mitigate climate change impacts.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana C. González-Valoys & Tamir Chong & Jonatha Arrocha & Javier Lloyd & Jorge Olmos & Fidedigna Vergara & Medin Denvers & Juan Jaén & Samantha Jiménez-Oyola & Francisco Jesús García-Navarro, 2025. "Geochemical Characterization of Soil and Water in an Agricultural Area for the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-36, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:7:p:702-:d:1621109
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ana Cristina González-Valoys & José María Esbrí & Juan Antonio Campos & Jonatha Arrocha & Eva María García-Noguero & Tisla Monteza-Destro & Ernesto Martínez & Raimundo Jiménez-Ballesta & Eric Gutiérre, 2021. "Ecological and Health Risk Assessments of an Abandoned Gold Mine (Remance, Panama): Complex Scenarios Need a Combination of Indices," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-22, September.
    2. Abderraouf Benslama & Kamel Khanchoul & Fouzi Benbrahim & Sana Boubehziz & Faredj Chikhi & Jose Navarro-Pedreño, 2020. "Monitoring the Variations of Soil Salinity in a Palm Grove in Southern Algeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-19, July.
    3. Abdel-rahman A. Mustafa & Elsayed A. Abdelsamie & Elsayed Said Mohamed & Nazih Y. Rebouh & Mohamed S. Shokr, 2024. "Modeling of Soil Cation Exchange Capacity Based on Chemometrics, Various Spectral Transformations, and Multivariate Approaches in Some Soils of Arid Zones," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-17, August.
    4. Prava Kiran Dash & Bradley A. Miller & Niranjan Panigrahi & Antaryami Mishra, 2024. "Exploring the Effect of Sampling Density on Spatial Prediction with Spatial Interpolation of Multiple Soil Nutrients at a Regional Scale," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-24, October.
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