DETERMINATION OF PESTICIDES IN THE WATER AND SEDIMENT OF THE RIVER PIQUIRI

Abstract

The role of water quality and the preservation of aquatic environments are highly important for sustainability, with special reference to the ecosystems´ supply and preservation. Pesticides are pollutants that generate significant impacts on the environment, some of which are not totally known. Current research assesses water and sediment samples from the river Piquiri in a region featuring high production of wheat, soybean and corn in the state of Paraná, Brazil. In fact, the river Piquiri is directly affected by pesticides from the surrounding fields. Water samples were extracted with a mixture of hexane : dichloromethane and the sediment samples were extracted with a mixture of acetone : hexane. Extracts were analyzed in LC/MS/MS and the presence of herbicides and fungicides used in the region under analysis was confirmed. Results of water samples revealed the herbicide atrazine (0.030 µg L-1) and the fungicide Carbendazim (0,178 µg L-1). The fungicides Carbendazim (26.8 µg L-1) and Azoxistrobina (0.712 µg L-1) had the highest rates in the sediments in the third harvest at collection site 3. Results confirm herbicide and fungicide residues in the water and sediment of the river Piquiri even though concentrations do not compromise water drinkability due to rates below the permitted maximum rate.