Avaliação das águas do Açude Araras utilizadas para irrigação, Bacia do Acaraú - Ceará

Abstract

One of the mainly consumptive use of the stored water in dam sited in Northeast semiarid region of Brazil is Irrigation District; than, the water quality monitored are essential. In this study, the Araras dam water that supply the Irrigation District of Araras Norte, Ceará, was monitored from April/2003 to Sept./2005, with aim of to evaluate the mainly chemical composition as well as the its classification to irrigation use. Water was investigated according to The United States Department of Agricultural (USDA) and the University of California Committee Consultants (UCCC) classifications. Results showed up that water was mostly hydrocarbonate sodium showing a low mineralization during the studied period. In relation to salinity risk water presents low risk of salinity in both classifications. On the other hand, USDA method classified water as low risk of sodicity and water presents a medium to severe risk of sodicity.according to UCCC classification This guide to believe that to get a sustainable use of soil and water, a best management practice should be adopted to avoid, a long term, production decrease and abandon of irrigated area problems.