The purpose of this article is the evaluation of São Domingos River Basin (SDRB) water quality and tentative correlations with natural and anthropic polluting sources. In order to achieve it, physicochemical parameters were analyzed in 65 surface and groundwater sampling points, in accordance to standards established by the Brazilian Environmental Authority, CONAMA 357/05, Class 2, for surface water and CONAMA 396/08, Class human, consumption for groundwater. The analyzed parameters include major cations and anions, temperature, pH, electric conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), thermotolerant coliforms, organochlorides and organophosphorus compounds. Parameters with concentrations more frequently in unconformity with regulations are: aluminum, boron, iron, manganese, nitrates, DO, BOD and some organochlorides and organophosphorus compounds. Results show that distribution of contamination is strongly influenced by the human presence, such as rural and urban population and tomato culture. Natural aspects also play a major role, since availability of aluminum, iron, and manganese in near-surface waters in tropical environment depends on input from processes taking place in leaf litter and topsoil.
surface and groundwater quality; pesticides; nonpoint and point pollution; fractured aquifers
