GROUNDWATER VULNERABILITY TO FERTILIZER CONTAMINATION: AN ASSESSMENT IN THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICES OF THE JEQUITINHONHA AND LESTE MINEIRO

ABSTRACT Minas Gerais is the leading state in groundwater usage for rural areas, particularly for agricultural practices, making effective monitoring and management of these water resources essential. This study analyzes the hydrogeological context of two Regional Environmental Offices (REOs) in Minas Gerais: Jequitinhonha (JQ) and Leste Mineiro (LM). The research cross-referenced data on groundwater availability with information on soil requirements for fertilizer and soil corrective applications, utilizing a robust dataset of over 1,400 licensed wells in both regions. The results reveal a concerning scenario: 66% of wells in areas of high agricultural demand exhibit static water levels of less than 9 meters, indicating low groundwater availability. This situation underscores the urgent need for effective monitoring and resource management. The intersection of high agricultural water demand and limited groundwater availability highlights the necessity of policies promoting water-use sustainability. Therefore, implementing management strategies that account for groundwater vulnerability is crucial to minimizing aquifer contamination risks.