Abstract
Agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries and aquiculture have caused negative impacts to rivers, ground waters, and coastal lagoon systems as well as to associated systems. The objective of this study was to determine pollutant concentrations in groundwater from surface wells or water wheels in aquatic farms located along the river, and in lagoon systems, located in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, and their possible risks for human health. Concentrations of nitrates, total coliforms (TC), and Vibrio sp. were determined as well as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and pH. The results showed that some values of physical, chemical and biological parameters in groundwater and different aquatic systems were beyond the levels established by the Mexican official norm. Farm effluents had TC levels higher than 2419 MPN 100 mL-1 and dissolved oxygen was at a minimum value of 1.7 mg L-1, concentrations beyond the fixed standards. Likewise, the presence of Vibrio sp. was detected in lagoon systems, which is an indicator of water contamination. We conclude that the impact of production activities leads to human health risks.
Highlights
Mexico covers 1,964,375 km2 and has a mean annual precipitation of 772 mm
Water for economic development (Carvajal & Chavira, 1985). To satisfy these needs we must recognize the status of our sources of supply; the objective of this study was to determine the concentration of contaminants in the groundwater from surface wells or water wheels, influents and effluents of aquatic farms along the Jamapa River, and in the lagoon systems of Pueblo Viejo, Mandinga and Alvarado, and their possible risks to human health
According to Dukes and Evans (2006) higher nitrate concentrations have been found in farm lands than in those used for other purposes
Summary
Mexico covers 1,964,375 km and has a mean annual precipitation of 772 mm. Its spatial and temporal distribution is irregular, with 42% of its territory, especially in the North, having a mean annual precipitation less than 500mm. In 7% of the territory there are regions with annual mean precipitation higher than 2,000mm, and some zones where it exceeds 5,000mm annually. The National Water Commission has identified 653 aquifers in Mexican national territory. 200 of these have been subjected to one or more studies and the available volume for 188 aquifers has been published in the Official Federal Diary. Two thirds of Mexican aquifers have not been drawn on a map, and their geography, available water volume and other basic information are not known. Groundwater is one of the main sources of supply for domestic use and for irrigation all over the world (Celis, 2009), and provides 70% of the drinking water in Mexico (Marín, 2002)
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