Avaliação do risco de contaminação hídrica por agrotóxicos no Perímetro Irrigado Betume no Baixo Rio São Francisco

Abstract

The growing agricultural activity in Betume irrigated area has caused concerns about pesticide contamination in irrigated areas. The problem becomes more important when contamination may affect the water for human use, as with the water catchment area of the River Betume is a tributary of the River São Francisco, and supplies various regions of the state of Sergipe. The objective of the study was to evaluate the risk of contamination of surface and groundwater by pesticides and monitor water quality in areas of rice growing in the basin of River Betume. The monitoring was conducted bimonthly from March 2013 to December 2014 and the contamination risk analysis was performed using criteria of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), GUS index and GOSS method. The results showed the presence of the following active ingredients: chlorpyrifos, tebuconazole and tetraconazole, where the resolution CONAMA 357/05 does not include the tolerance limits of pesticides in water for environmental protection for these products. When compared with the European Community standards, the concentrations of tebuconazole and chlorpyrifos were above the tolerance limit. The presence of pesticides in the region shows the population of the risks of contamination, so preventive measures in handling and application of pesticides must be taken to ensure water quality.