Propiedades fisicoquímicas del suelo como indicadores de degradación química en un área minero-agrícola de Samacá, Boyacá

Soil is an essential natural resource that provides ecosystem services and supports productive activities such as agriculture and mining; however, it can be vulnerable to degradation due to both natural and anthropogenic causes. In Samacá (Boyacá department, Colombia), anthropogenic factors were identified that may trigger soil degradation, including irrigation with acidic waters, intensive agriculture, and improper disposal of mining waste. This study characterized variables associated with soil degradation in Samacá using databases from the project “Boyacá Adapts to Climate Change” (BSACC), field sampling, and laboratory analysis of associated variables. We applied the methodology proposed by IDEAM in the Protocol for the identification and evaluation of soil degradation by salinization, employing software tools such as ArcGIS, RStudio, and Python for cartographic analysis and data exploration. These soils were characterized by high sulfur concentrations and acidic pH. The results revealed that 92.72% (8,869.31 ha) of the study area is vulnerable to chemical degradation, with 6,402.05 ha at a medium level, 2,170.7 ha at a high level, and 40.67 ha at a very high level. Moreover, in areas of very high susceptibility, we observed elevated sulfur concentrations in soil and water as sulfates, which may acidify the environment, affecting nutrient availability and local biota. This allowed the validation of key indicators for monitoring this issue, highlighting pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and sulfur (S) content.