Ocorrência de princípios ativos de agrotóxicos em águas superficiais da região hidrográfica do médio curso do rio Paraíba - grupos carbamato e piretróide.

Abstract

Superficial water bodies are more susceptible to pesticide contamination due to agricultural activities in their recharging areas. This study evaluated the presence of carbamate and pyrethroid pesticides group in raw and treated waters from the upstream reservoir Epitácio Pessoa (Boqueirão) and the downstream reservoir Argemiro de Figueiredo (Acauã), in the hydrographic region of the middle course of Paraiba River, northern Brazil, through an analytical methodology by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results indicated that the methodology presented selectivity, linearity (R² ≥ 0.9982), accuracy and precision (RSD ≤ 4.27%) and robustness within the specifications set by ANVISA and Inmetro. Of Chemical group carbamate, the pesticides aldicarb sulfone, carbaryl and methiocarb were detectes in the upstream reservoir and aldicarb sulfone was detectes in the downstream reservoir. All concentrations have remained within the limits required by the national and/or international drinking water standards. Only the pesticide carbaryl did not show compliance with Resolution 357/2005, of Brazilian Environment Ministry, which defines the maximum allowable concentrations for classification of surface waters. The pyrethroid chemical group the cyfluthrin and flumethrin pesticides were detected in both studied reservoirs. The concentration of the pesticide cilfutrina remained within the international potability standard, however the active flumethrin principle has no limits indicated in the standards of national and international potability. Conventional water treatment applied in the study area did not show ability for the removal of carbamate pesticides.