Assessment of surface and groundwater potential contamination by agricultural pesticides applied in the region of Baixo Jaguaribe, CE, Brazil

This study evaluated the potential of contamination of surface water and groundwater in the irrigated agriculture of Baixo Jaguaribe, in Ceara state, Brazil. The analysis was performed based on the criteria of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the index of GUS and method of GOSS. These indexes have been based on physical and chemical properties of the active ingredients of each pesticide. The present paper assessed the main products, which are applied on crops in the irrigated agriculture of Baixo Jaguaribe, through survey in the region. The comparison between the models showed some potential for pesticide contamination in surface water and groundwater, and requires the constant monitoring of levels waste.