NITRATE IN GROUNDWATER IN RIBEIRAO PRETO CITY AREA IN BRAZIL

Author(s)

Cerdeira, Antonio Luiz ; Paraiba, Lourival Costa ; Kataguiri, Karen ; Bolonhezi, Denizart ; Ferreira Gomes, Marco Antonio ; Spadotto, Claudio Aparecido ; Neto, Carlos Farjani ; Matallo, Marcus Barifouse ; Momm, Henrique

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PESTICIDAS-REVISTA DE ECOTOXICOLOGIA E MEIO AMBIENTE; v. 18, p. 8-pg., 2008-01-01.

Abstract

The region of Ribeirao Preto City, southeastern Brazil, is an important sugar cane and recharge area for groundwater of the Guarany aquifer. This research was conducted to evaluate the potential contamination of groundwater with nitrates in the area and in surrounding municipal wells. No significant amount of nitrate was found in the recharge agricultural area. However, nitrate levels were detected at concentrations higher than the Maximum Concentration Level (MCL) of 6.0 mg/L in a downtown, urban, well located away from agriculture, which had no history of nitrogen application, reaching values higher than the maximum risk coefficient for infants (RC) of 1.0. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/02824-0 - Herbicide absorption by sugar cane crop
• Grantee: Antonio Luiz Cerdeira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants