Potencial de contaminação de águas superficiais e subterrâneas por agrotóxicos aplicados na agricultura do entorno do reservatório São Gonçalo - PB.

Abstract

The importance of pesticides for the current model of agricultural development is indisputable, since they are part of the basic inputs. However, it is very important that they are properly used for the preservation not only of crops but also for all its natural resources, especially soil and water, besides the health of farmers and consumers. This work was carried out in the surrounding region of São Gonçalo Reservoir - PB and aims to assess the potential for contamination of surface and groundwater by pesticides applied to waters irrigated agriculture in the region, based on the methods Method screening of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency, EPA), Vulnerability Index Groundwater (Groundwater Ubiquity Score, GUS) and Method of GOSS. Through the comparison between the methods was observed that 35.3% of the active ingredients used in the crops of the study area have a high potential for groundwater contamination by comparing the screening Method of the EPA and GUS Index. Method by GOSS was diagnosed that 23.5% of agrochemicals has high potential for contamination of surface water by the associated sediment transport and 52.9% to contaminate surface water dissolved in water transport. Overall 76.5% of pesticides applied in the study area are considered high potential for contamination of surface and groundwater, therefore necessary monitoring and control of the waters of the reservoir watershed São Gonçalo - PB by environmental agencies and well as the awareness of farmers by the excessive consumption of pesticides.