Incidence of Diuron in water bodies in an area of sugar-alcohol activity in the Botafogo basin, northern coast of Pernambuco

Abstract

The Botafogo hydrographic basin, located on the northern coast of the State of Pernambuco, extends for about 480 km². The only water reservoir on the North Coast of the State is located in this basin, which is integrated with the water supply system of the Metropolitan Region of Recife, Pernambuco. The only agricultural activity in this region is the cultivation of sugarcane and among the environmental impacts caused by this activity is the contamination of water resources and soil by pesticides. This work aimed to analyze the occurrence of herbicides in the waters of the Catucá stream and Pilão and Botafogo rivers, contained in the Botafogo basin. The study revealed, between December 2010 and July 2011, the presence of the herbicide Diuron, in nine collection points in the perimeter of the aforementioned basin. The results showed that the use of pesticides is already present in the water bodies studied, although the concentrations observed do not compromise the quality of water for human supply according to Ordinance MS N° 2.914/2011 (Revoked by CONSOLIDATION ORDINANCE No. 5 - MS in 2017). About this inference, the presence of Diuron was observed in 100% of the surface water samples, at levels up to 30 times the established by the European Community. The study allowed a critical assessment of these legislations with the purpose of improving the monitoring of water bodies in Brazil.