Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 7.6 Location of mines and populated places in the Rı´mac River basin
solid waste from residential communities comprised the principal sources.
Eleven per cent of farmers thought that waste from mining activities affected
water quality and were aware that HM can affect soils, crops and human
health. The appraisal of how farmers perceive the risk to pollution or
exposure of contaminants can be very complex (Grasmu¨ ck and Scholz, 2003).
These results show that farmers' perception of water quality is attributed
mainly to factors that are easily observed such as domestic sewage (excreta)
and solid waste from urban communities (such as bottles and papers). If the
exposure is not visible (e.g. the presence of parasites and pathogens or HM in
irrigation water or the accumulation of HM in soil or plants), the perception
of the risk is less apparent.
Assessment of water, soil and crop quality in eastern Lima
Water quality of irrigation canals
None of the water samples collected from the canals exceeded the maximum
permitted limits for As, Cd, Cr and Pb according to Codex Alimentarius
(2006). Thus the water is suitable for use in irrigating vegetables from the
standpoint of HM.
Contamination of irrigation water with pathogens and parasites is a more
serious problem for vegetable production. The Rı´ mac River is a main source
of contamination due to the sewage and excreta e
uents that are emptied
