Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, Juan Gustavo  and  GIMENEZ LEGA, Eva. Application of principal component analysis in well water research for human consumption. Poblac.Desarro. [online]. 2017, vol.23, n.45, pp.38-52. ISSN 2076-054X.  https://doi.org/10.18004/pdfce/2076-054x/2017.023(45)038-052.

The adverse effect of organic waste on the quality of groundwater can be a serious problem for human health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the contamination with nitrites, nitrates and coliform bacteria in groundwater samples in the rural area of the Department of Caaguazú. The concentration of nitrites and nitrates was determined by steam distillation and the number of bacteria was determined by the most probable number technique in the McConkey broth. No well examined had nitrate concentrations that exceeded the critical value of 10mg% of water established by International Organizations for human consumption. High concentrations of nitrates were recorded in wells located in areas that had intensive agricultural use, with long-term fertilizer application. With regard to the presence of coliform bacteria, 23 of the samples analyzed had equal or less than 3 MPN of coliform bacteria per 100 mL of water, which is one of the criteria established for water for human consumption by the Ministry of Public Health and Welfare Social, suggesting a high sanitary risk. Better management practices should be established to maximize crop yields, while minimizing the risk of environmental contamination.

Keywords : nitrate; bacterium; pollution; organic waste; water.

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