A dataset driven by necessity
The article “Dataset of metals and metalloids in food crops and soils sampled across the mining region of Moquegua in Peru”, published in Scientific Data and available here, was developed in response to a social need arising in this region: to generate baseline data on metal concentrations in food crops and soils in a territory where agriculture and mining coexist.
Located in southern Peru, Moquegua—the country’s second smallest region by land area—has an active mining presence and a geological profile that favors continued expansion, mainly driven by copper deposits. At the same time, agriculture remains a vital livelihood for many local families. This overlapping territorial dynamic has long given rise to concerns related to food safety, agricultural sustainability, and public health—concerns shared by communities, researchers, and health authorities alike.
At the time, no public, systematic, or representative dataset was available to shed light on these concerns or to support evidence-based responses. This study, therefore, aimed not only to generate specific scientific evidence but also to provide a robust, long-term reference to support future research, risk assessments, and public policy decisions for those working at the intersection of agriculture, environmental monitoring, and food security.
Logistical challenges of fieldwork
Collecting data in Moquegua means navigating a geography as demanding as it is diverse. Its wide altitudinal range and agricultural conditions required a carefully designed logistics strategy, especially to ensure representation of both coastal and highland zones. To capture this complexity, the sampling covered agricultural plots located between 9 and 3,934 meters above sea level, encompassing a broad spectrum of geographic conditions and farming systems.
Samples were collected from 341 agricultural plots, considering both permanent and temporary crops, as well as factors such as altitude, reports of possible contamination, and local food relevance. This strategy allowed for a comprehensive representation of the region’s agricultural diversity.
In highland areas, where crops are typically harvested only once per year, careful planning was essential. Missing the harvest season would have meant postponing sampling for an entire year. Fieldwork in these areas also involved navigating steep, terraced landscapes at high elevations—conditions that demanded significant physical effort and adaptability from the field team.
To overcome these challenges, this effort would not have been possible without the active collaboration of local farmers and technicians from the Dirección Regional de Agricultura (DRA-Moquegua), who contributed their knowledge of the territory and facilitated access to the plots. The sampling protocol combined scientific criteria with local knowledge, adhering to national guidelines and tailoring techniques to the specific characteristics of each crop and terrain.
What did we analyze and how?
The study focused on two key components of the local agri-food system: the cultivated food crops and the agricultural soils that sustain them.
The analyzed food crops included fruits such as avocado, sweet lime, and olive; Andean tubers such as potato, oca, mashua, olluco, and arracacha (yellow cassava); legumes like faba bean; cereals such as maize; and a diverse array of vegetables including lettuce, chard, spinach, celery, tomato, carrot, and beet. Alfalfa was also included due to its importance as forage in areas where irrigation water quality issues had been reported.
In food samples, up to 31 elements (including metals and metalloids) were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Concentrations are expressed on a fresh weight basis. In soil samples, 23 elements were measured using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and concentrations are reported on a dry weight basis, following international standards.
The resulting dataset contains 13,828 structured observations ready for use.
More than data: a tool for informed decision-making
In the Peruvian context, this dataset serves as a baseline for future monitoring, capturing conditions that may evolve over time due to natural processes, mining activity, or agricultural practices. It also supports:
- Exposure assessments for metals in locally consumed crops
- Evidence-based public policies on food security and land management
- Interdisciplinary research linking health, environment, and agri-food systems
Beyond Peru, the dataset may serve as a reference for other mining-agricultural regions facing similar challenges. In a context of expanding copper mining across the Global South, access to open, georeferenced, and comparable data is increasingly strategic.
A starting point, not a conclusion
This dataset is just a starting point for the Moquegua region. Its value lies not only in what it reveals today, but in what it may continue to inform decades from now.
It is a contribution from a territory often absent from global research agendas. The intention is straightforward: to offer a resource that others may find useful—to use, compare, expand, or adapt according to the specific challenges of their own territories.
It is hoped that this dataset encourages more research, dialogue, and action within the region and serves as a reference for those working in similar mining-agricultural contexts.
About the research project
This dataset is part of a broader research project conducted at the National University of Moquegua, Peru, which investigated metal concentrations in food crops and their geographic distribution across the region. Led by Dr. Noelia Bedoya Perales, the project was carried out by a multidisciplinary and international academic team. It is formally registered under Resolución C.O. No. 0002-2020-UNAM.
Read the full paper here:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-023-02363-0
Citation:
Bedoya-Perales, N. S., Escobedo-Pacheco, E., Maus, D., Neimaier, A., & Pumi, G. (2023). Dataset of metals and metalloids in food crops and soils sampled across the mining region of Moquegua in Peru. Scientific Data, 10(1), 483. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02363-0
Corresponding author: noelia.bedoya@gmail.com