Detection of As, Cr and Cd in Walnut Trees by Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy, EXAFS

Heavy metals are found naturally in the soil in small concentrations. These can be collected in bigger amounts by mining, agriculture, industry, and others. Also plants can processes these in toxicity levels and if putted into the food chain, human physiologic integrity is affected. In this work, to determine which heavy metals are found in soil, plants and fruits sampling were carried out on two farms. Walnut crop specifically. For the analysis, samples of soil, plants and fruits were taken. The soil samples were treated with the quartering method and prepared for analysis by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The results obtained by XAS show the presence of arsenic (V) in soil; Chromium (III) in soil, branch and fruit; Chromium (VI) in the branch; Cadmium (II) at the soil.