Fernanda De Rezende Pinto,MAYHARA MARTINS CORDEIRO BARBOSA,Ana Paula Nunes,Laudicéia Giacometti Lopes,Luiz Augusto do Amaral,Helen Lira Henriques Torres Zanini, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias-Unesp, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e reprocução Animal, f_rezendevet@yahoo.com.br
Abstract
Wells and springs are important water sources in rural areas, and are susceptible to metal contamination from organic wastes and agrochemicals. The objective of this study was to analyze cadmium, lead, chromium, copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, iron and manganese concentrations in 30 supply of drinking water sources used for human consumption in rural area of Córrego Rico microbasin, Jaboticabal, Brazil, during the rainy season (February-April 2009). The determination of metals was performed by electrothermal activated atomic absorption spectroscopy equipped with graphite furnace. Water classification followed human consumption standard according to Decree 518/04, issued by the Brazilian Health Ministry. Copper, chromium, cobalt, nickel and zinc concentrations were lower than the maximum limit permitted (MLP) for human consumption. However, cadmium, lead, iron and manganese concentrations were higher than MLP in 10, 8, 17 and 3 sources, respectively, with rendering natural sources unserviceable. These sources should be frequently monitored to ensure water quality.
Keywords: groundwater, rural area, trace-elements.