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PORTADA
(Elaborada por la revista)
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Evaluation of Heavy Metals (Lead, Cadmium and Arsenic) in
Soils of Bordering Zones to Mines of the State of Zacatecas
Evaluación de Metales Pesados (Plomo, Cadmio y Arsénico) en Suelos de
Zonas Colindantes a Minas del Estado de Zacatecas
Claudia Herminia Maldonado Tapia
hermimt85@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5419-3628
Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas
Zacatecas – México
María Alejandra Moreno García
amoreno_29@hotmail.com
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9818-5887
Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas
Zacatecas – México
Elsa Gabriela Chávez Guajardo
elsagaby@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2046-5177
Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas
Zacatecas – México
Héctor Emmanuel Valtierra Marín
hectorv@uaz.edu.mx
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9635-3577
Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas
Zacatecas – México
Socorro Arteaga
marteag1@epcc.edu
El Paso Community College
El Paso TX
Nitzaye Yetanely Bracamontes Maldonado
brani_12@hotmail.com
Zacatecas – México
Artículo recibido: 07/09/2026
Aceptado para publicación: 07/10/2026
Conflictos de Intereses: Ninguno que declarar
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ABSTRACT
The objective of the study was to evaluate the presence of heavy metals specifically
arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in soils near mining areas in the state of Zacatecas
using ICP atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Heavy metals occur in ecosystems at varying
concentrations; centuries of mining, industrial activity, and smelting constitute the primary
anthropogenic sources of these metals, potentially disrupting the balance of environmental
systems. Upon reaching high concentrations in water, soil, and air, these metals impact human
health (Kochubovski, 2011; López et al., 2010) and accumulate in organisms such as plants
and animals, thereby altering the human food chain and causing skin disorders or diseases, liver
damage, and neurological conditions (Adriano, 2001). Lead (Pb), whether ingested, inhaled, or
absorbed through the skin, is toxic to living organisms in general. The concentrations of the
analyzed metals (As, Cd, Pb) were determined using the ICP method. It was found that Pb
concentrations in the soil exceeded the limits established by current Mexican Official Standards
(NOM). The study results were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Tukey's
mean comparison test at a 95% confidence level, indicating statistical significance. This study
reports beyond those allowed by the government of Mexico NOM, As, Cd and Pb, as shown
above heavy metal accumulation in soils of mining areas or in areas close to the populations
affecting the welfare of the inhabitants, or to be taken a package of mining companies, in order
to achieve clean production and improve their remediation goals, thus helping the environment,
consequently the safety of humanity
Keywords: heavy metals, Pb, Cd, As, Mining Zones
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RESUMEN
El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la presencia de metales pesados, específicamente
arsénico (As), cadmio (Cd) y plomo (Pb), en suelos cercanos a zonas mineras del estado de
Zacatecas mediante espectrofotometría de absorción atómica con plasma acoplado
inductivamente (ICP). Los metales pesados se encuentran en los ecosistemas en
concentraciones variables; siglos de minería, actividad industrial y fundición constituyen las
principales fuentes antropogénicas de estos metales, los cuales pueden alterar el equilibrio de
los sistemas ambientales. Al alcanzar concentraciones elevadas en el agua, el suelo y el aire,
estos metales afectan la salud humana (Kochubovski, 2011; López et al., 2010) y se acumulan
en organismos como plantas y animales, alterando así la cadena alimentaria humana y
provocando trastornos o enfermedades cutáneas, daños hepáticos y afecciones neurológicas
(Adriano, 2001). El plomo (Pb), ya sea ingerido, inhalado o absorbido a través de la piel, es
tóxico para los organismos vivos en general. Las concentraciones de los metales analizados
(As, Cd, Pb) se determinaron mediante el método ICP. Se encontró que las concentraciones de
Pb en el suelo superaban los límites establecidos por las Normas Oficiales Mexicanas (NOM)
vigentes. Los resultados del estudio se sometieron a un análisis de varianza (ANOVA)
utilizando la prueba de comparación de medias de Tukey con un nivel de confianza del 95%,
lo que indicó significancia estadística. Este estudio documenta la acumulación de metales
pesados (As, Cd y Pb) en suelos de zonas mineras o áreas cercanas a poblaciones —superando
los límites permitidos por las NOM de México—, lo cual afecta el bienestar de los habitantes;
asimismo, sugiere la implementación de medidas por parte de las empresas mineras para lograr
una producción limpia y mejorar sus objetivos de remediación, beneficiando así al medio
ambiente y, por consiguiente, a la seguridad de la humanidad.
Palabras clave: metales pesados, Pb, Cd, As, zonas mineras
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INTRODUCTION
The problem of contamination in soils is due to the presence of heavy metals which are natural
components of the globe either mineral or salts. These metals do not degrade naturally they do
not exercise metabolic functions specific to living things (Rumenova Todorova E. and
Kircheva Zhiyansk M. 2023. Prieto Méndez et al., 2009, FDA 2001., Valdez et al., 1999.,
Doichinova V. et al., 2006. Kachova V.G. Atanassova I.D., 2017).
Heavy metals such as mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), thallium (Tl)
and lead (Pb), and others become toxic even in low concentrations (Rumenova Todorova E.
and Kircheva Zhiyansk M., Harmanesco M. et al., 20011., Castelli et al., 2005.
In ecosystems have been present for many years heavy metals in different concentrations and
in the mining, so this may cause a transformation of equilibrium in environmental systems,
reach high concentrations in water, soil and air these metals, affecting the health human
(Kochubovski M., 20011., Lopez et al., 2010). They may even accumulate in plant and animal
organisms, and thus can modify the human food chain as a result giving disorders, skin
diseases, liver damage and neurological diseases (Adriano, 2001), Pb is ingested, inhaled or
absorbed through the skin, turns out to be toxic to living things in general. (Valdez et al., 1999.
Kochubovski M. 2011., Radi Nora., et al., 2023).
A global problem is poisoning from heavy metals which arises from various causes. In Mexico
a negative performance effect is due to adjacent mining communities in the state of Zacatecas
(Manzanares et al., 2006), and this coupled with the population explosion that is taking place,
houses are built in areas near abandoned mines (Gonzalez et al., 2008), which consequently
brings heavy metal poisoning among children mainly As, Cd and Pb (Damian F., et al. 2008.,
Valdez et al., 1999).
Moreover, these generated wastes contribute to the degradation of the surrounding soil
environment, which commonly accumulate in the vicinity of the mining opera tion and
transform fertile soils into wastelands (Li, 2006).
This often occurs without the local farmers’ knowledge which reinforces the dangerousness of
this insidious pol lution. The mining operations remain polluting during the exploitation and
even after the closure of the mine. These exploitations concerned several metals, and some of
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these metals such as copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) are essential to life, but in high concentrations,
they can be toxic (Allan, 1997).
AIM: Evaluation of Heavy Metals (Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead) in Soil in Mining Areas around
the state of Zacatecas, using the technique of ICP atomic absorption spectrophotometry
METHODOLOGY
This study was conducted in the state of Zacatecas during the period September to April. The
state is located in the central-north, at an average altitude of 2,100 m., With 2.420 meters, in
the capital city and 2.690 msn. Cerro del Grillo in the northwest of the capital city. Bordered
on the north by the state of Coahuila, on the east by San Luis Potosi, Aguascalientes to the
southwest, south to Jalisco, Durango to the west and southwest with Nayarit. It has an area of
74,669 km ² equivalent to 3.7% of the total land area, occupying the eighth national extension.
The state coordinates are: Latitude North 25 ° 08 'and 21 ° 03' west longitude 100 ° 48 'and 104
° 21'. The climate is semi-dry with the exception of the northwest where the climate is dry and
arid, the average temperature is 16 degrees and rainfall of 510mm per year (Zacatecas Mining
Program., 2012).
Sampling sites: Beleña, Vetagrande and Calera. Six soil samples were taken from each study
site, giving a total of 54 soil samples. In collaboration with the laboratory of Paso Community
College, which conducted the evaluation of heavy metals (As, Cd and Pb) using the technique
of atomic absorption spectrophotometry, ICP (052 PPS), which consists in making soil sample
15 cm deep in triplicate for each of the samples, the sample dried in an oven at 95 ° C for 24 h,
the sample preparation digestion with artificial initiating and continuing the testing of samples.
ANALYSIS
The results of the study was carried out analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Tukey
comparison of means. With a reliability index of 95%, indicating that it is statistically
significant.
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RESULTS
Figure 1. Results os the concentration of heavy metals in soil Beleña during the study period,
taking into account indicates that the values reflected in the present site 6 As concentration of
104 mg/kg, for sites 1, 2, 3 4, 5 are found in amount of 43 to 64 mg/kg
Source: own elaboration.
Figure 2. With respect to Cd the concentration of the 6 study sites, was 60 mg/kg
Source: own elaboration.
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Figure 3. Pb 160 mg/kg, but not in sites 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 which concentration remained 80mg/kg
Source: own elaboration.
Figure 4. Shows the results of the heavy metals in soil Vetagrande during the study period. As
regards the site 1 obtained concentration of 211 mg/kg for sites 2,3,4 and 5 found in quantities
of 70 to 145 mg/kg,
Source: own elaboration.
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Figure 5. for the Cd was similar in the 6 study sites having concentrations of 80 to 130 mg/kg
Source: own elaboration.
Figure 6. Indicate that the Pb 1 received site concentration of 2978 mg / kg, the site 6, 2669
mg/kg, and site 2, 1894 mg/kg, with higher concentrations of Pb, followed by site 3: with 907
mg/kg, after 4 to 854 mg/kg
Source: own elaboration.
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Figure 7. Show the results of metal content in soil of tobacco industry indicates that as in the
6 site concentratios was 54 mg/kg
Source: own elaboration.
Figure 8. For the Cd was similar in the 6 study sites having concentrations of 62 mg/kg
Source: own elaboration.
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Figure 9. Shows a greater concentration of 90 mg/Pb/kg, in sites 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 concentration was
maintained at 70 to 80 mg/kg
Source: own elaboration.
Limits
Analyzing the concentrations of heavy metals in these figures can be said that the heavy metals
tested, was located above the permissible values for soils.
DISCUSSION
In the present study we observed that the heavy metal concentration was high, exceeded the
limits allowed by the NOM. Concentrations of heavy metals from soils present variations in
the statistical analysis, which may be due to the strategies undertaken by the mining industry
regarding the cleanliness of the areas.
The mining area near the town of Vetagrande obtained higher concentrations in As, Cd and Pb
during the study, with respect to Belenía and Calera, but the concentration of lead was higher
in the different sampling sites. Importantly, the accumulation of heavy metals in the study area
is due to the accumulation of heavy metals by mining industries have been exploited for over
100 years, causing large-scale negative effects on the environmental conditions of the site,
leading to a general environmental deterioration (Martin 2000; [2017]).
When the concentration of heavy metals in soil reach levels that exceed the maximum
permissible limits cause effects such as inhibition of normal growth, plant development, a
functional disturbance in other components of the environment and the decline in soil microbial
populations because the soil acts as a filter for these toxic elements, which can reach the water
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table. Among the main soil contaminants, Pb, Cd and As, present in the environment and
industrial waste can affect important biological processes, because they are not biodegradable
as organic components ([2017]).
The study of the presence and quantification of heavy metals in contaminated soil is important,
since some of these contaminants are degraded by naturally (such as nutrients), others (such as
heavy metals) are not degraded, therefore, represent a constant threat to the environment
(Valdez et al., 1999).
In Mexico state mining companies comply with environmental standards in the country,
however the Mexican normatives often lax, and sorely needed standards. No Mexican Official
Standard on heavy metal concentrations in soil or on heavy metal emissions into the
atmosphere, there is only the Mexican Official Norm (NOM-043-ECOL-1993), which
establishes the maximum permissible limits for the issuance of total suspended particles (TSP)
to the atmosphere. The PST includes metals such as lead (Valdez et al., 1999).
In general, heavy metals incorporated into the soil can take four different ways: first, be
retained in the soil, either dissolved in the aqueous phase of soil or occupying exchange sites;
second, specifically adsorbed on inorganic soil constituents; third associated with soil organic
matter and fourth solid precipitated as pure or mixed. On the other hand, can be absorbed by
plants and incorporated into food chains, may pass into the atmosphere by volatilization and
can be mobilized into surface waters or groundwater (Garcia and Dorronsoro, 2005).
To elucidate the behavior of heavy metals in soils and prevent potential toxic risks requires an
evaluation of the availability and mobility of these (Benat et al., 2005) the toxicity of metals
depends on their concentration, mobility and reactivity with other ecosystem components
(Abollino et al., 2002).
Agricultural soils irrigated with wastewater and plants are a significant risk in the accumulation
of heavy metals is a problem that affects agriculture and human health. According to these
results, the concentration of metals detected in agricultural soils Mixquiahuala, Hidalgo; lead
concentration exceeds maximum allowable levels by 40% of water samples analyzed (Flores
HM, 2011).
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Note: Some parts of the references/citations are very unclear in the image (especially where
something like “2017” appears), so I have kept them as faithful as possible to what is legible.
CONCLUSIONS
This study reports on the accumulation and concentration of heavy metals (As, Cd, and Pb).
The results reveal significant variations among samples—depending on their specific locations
in mining zones or areas near human settlements—with levels exceeding the limits established
by official Mexican standards (NOM). There is no specific Official Mexican Standard
regarding heavy metal concentrations in soil or their atmospheric emissions; the only relevant
standard is NOM-043-ECOL-1993, which sets maximum permissible limits for the emission
of total suspended particles (TSP) into the atmosphere. TSP includes metals such as lead and
arsenic (Valdez et al., 1999). Analysis of soil in Vetagrande showed a lead (Pb) concentration
of 2,978 mg/kg.
Lower concentrations of Pb and As had been anticipated, given their impact on the environment
as well as on animal and human health—factors that affect the concept of "One Health." The
high levels of lead and arsenic found in the soil correlate with past and present mining activities,
demonstrating the significant impact of mining on the well-being of local inhabitants. Soil
contamination by metals such as Pb and As is an environmental issue that persists in the vicinity
of mining zones long after operations have ceased. This highlights the need for mining
companies to adopt comprehensive measures to achieve cleaner production and improve
remediation goals, thereby contributing to environmental protection and, consequently, human
safety. Analyzing the concentrations of heavy metals in these figures can be said that the heavy
metals tested, was located above the permissible values for soils.
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Cómo citar este artículo (APA 7ª edición):
Maldonado Tapia, C. H., Moreno García, . M. A., Chávez Guajardo, E. G., Valtierra Marín, H.
E., Arteaga, S., & Bracamontes Maldonado, N. Y. (2026). Evaluation of Heavy Metals (Lead,
Cadmium and Arsenic) in Soils of Bordering Zones to Mines of the State of Zacatecas
Prisma ODS: Revista Multidisciplinaria Sobre Desarrollo Sostenible, 5(5), 265-
279. https://doi.org/10.65011/prismaods.v5.i5.360
