Quality indices in soils of sandy beaches of the Municipality of Puerto Cabello - Carabobo State
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29076/issn.2528-7737vol19iss50.2026pp121-131pKeywords:
Coastal ecosystems, environmental indicators, environmental quality, sandy soilsAbstract
The quality of a soil can be estimated using multivariable indices and its design depends on the functionality of the soil. Sandy beach soil is of great ecological importance; however, they are not included in environmental management plans for coastal ecosystems. The objective of this research is to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic activities on sandy beach soils through environmental quality indices, estimating physicochemical, biological and biochemical parameters that could be affected by these activities, thus contributing with tools for the environmental management of ecosystem service that these environments offer. The methodology based on comparison of areas, the geometric mean and weighted indicators was used. The alterations caused by the environmental impact of industrial activities carried out in the areas near the evaluated beaches induce increases in physicochemical parameters that cause an increase in biological parameters such as microbiological activity and carbon from microbial biomass. Biological indicators were more sensitive to environmental impacts. It is concluded that the ICSarea is adequate to evaluate the sensitivity of the indicators and the degradation processes to which sandy beach soils are subjected; however, it requires comparison with unimpacted soil with similar characteristics. The proposed indices constitute an effective monitoring and management tool to carry out environmental impact studies on coastal ecosystems.
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