Diagnosis of the Presence of Total Cr in Soil and Groundwater Due to Urban Solid Waste in Veracruz, Mexico

Chromium (Cr) is one of the 20 most abundant elements on Earth and is a heavy metal frequently found in leachates. This study aimed to diagnose the presence of total Cr in the soil and groundwater of the Cotaxtla aquifer, resulting from the improper disposal of urban solid waste (USW) in Veracruz, Mexico. Composite soil and groundwater samples were collected from three deep wells adjacent to the study area. The total Cr concentration was determined following the procedure established in the NMX-AA-051-SCFI-2001 standard. The mean concentration of total chromium in groundwater was 0.0438 mg.L⁻¹, with a maximum of 0.0585 mg.L⁻¹. The average chromium concentration in the soil samples was 0.527 mg.kg⁻¹, with a maximum of 0.558 mg.kg⁻¹. No correlation was observed between the concentration of Cr in water and soil. However, the total Cr concentrations in groundwater exceeded the maximum permissible limits (0.05 mg.L⁻¹) established in NOM-127-SSA-1994 for human consumption and the drinking water quality parameters of international standards. The effects of Cr on human health, due to exposures exceeding established limits, include respiratory tract problems and skin lesions.