Mercury Levels, Soil Properties and Farming Practices in Cabbage-Growing Farms of Buguias, Benguet: A Monitoring Report for Semi-Temperate Conventional Farming in Northern Philippines
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70884/mjsir.v86i1.611Keywords:
Mercury, Phytoremediation, Soil contamination, Cabbage, Benguet, Heavy metalsAbstract
Semi-temperate conventional farming has been documented to have adversely affected the soil properties, including mercury accumulation, in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Northern Philippines. However, the monitoring of this adverse phenomenon had been alarmingly sparse amidst its potential health and environmental implications vis-à-vis the economic significance of the semi-temperate vegetable production in the region. To address this, the study reassessed the mercury (Hg) levels, soil properties, and farming practices in selected agricultural farms in Nan-agto, Natubleng, Buguias, Benguet, 15 years after mercury concentrations were reported to exceed threshold levels in soil, water, and crops in 2007. Results revealed that mercury was no longer detectable in 12 of the 15 soil samples and in all cabbage head samples, suggesting a significant decline in Hg levels. Favorable soil pH (5.81–6.97), marginal to adequate OM, and high CEC may have contributed to reduced Hg mobility and bioavailability. Interviews revealed adherence to good agricultural practices (GAP), such as the use of non-mercury-containing pesticides and the application of lime and organic matter. The absence of Hg in crop and soil is attributed to the banning of mercury-based agrochemicals and the possible phytoremediation effect of cabbage. This study underscores the need to maintain good agricultural practices (GAP) and reinforces the importance of long-term environmental monitoring for the important and iconic semi-temperate vegetable farming of CAR.
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