Variability factors of heavy metals in soils and transfer to pasture plants of Mayabeque in Cuba

Studies to assess variability factors of heavy metals in soils are essential to understand their behavior in the environment and for the assessment of contaminated areas. In this context, this research aimed to study the factors that influence the variability of heavy metal levels and their bioavailability in pasture areas in the Alturas de Nazareno region, Mayabeque, Cuba, as well as the transfer to plants. Forty-five points were distributed in a natural pasture and at two depths (0–20 and 20–40 cm) as a function of relief and soil type. Pseudo-total heavy metal contents were determined according to method 3051A of USEPA, geochemical fractionation according to the Community Bureau of Reference method, and plant digestion according to method 3052 of USEPA. Soil samples were separated into two groups, according to cluster analysis. The type of soil associated with the pH and Ca attributes were the factors that most influenced the variability of the total and bioavailable levels of metals in natural pasture soils in the region of Alturas de Nazareno. Group 1 showed the lowest heavy metal contents and the highest pH and calcium values, which were predominantly associated with carbonate soils. Group 2 had the highest contents of heavy metals and Fe, corresponding mainly to the soil Ferralítico Rojo. The concentration of metals in plants was directly related to their bioavailable content in the soil, where G2 represents the group with the highest risk of transferring metals to the food chain.