Author(s): Isaac Azuz-Adeath; Roberto Arreola; Fernanda Aguiar; Mireya Cabrera

Linked Author(s): Isaac Azuz-Adeath

Keywords: Coastal areas; Agricultural activities; Coastal and marine pollution; Mexico

Abstract: The pressures of agriculture on the pollution of coastal waters has increased worldwide due to the population demands of food, and the consequent increase in the use of agrochemical substances to maintain or improve productivity. This study estimates the potential pollution in coastal areas produced by the use of highly hazardous pesticides in the agricultural activity of coastal municipalities in Mexico. In 2017, a total of 21.6 million hectares of agricultural products were planted in Mexico, of which 13.3 million corresponded to coastal states (62 %) and 4.2 million to coastal municipalities (19 %). Initially in this research the two most important crops –in terms of planted surface extension in 2017- were selected for analysis, on each of 158 Mexican coastal counties. After review the type of crop and agrochemical used, the results of this paper are centered on those crops in which 7 types of highly hazardous pesticides (according with the Pesticide Action Network International Classification) were used. In all Mexican coastal states, at least in one municipality, highly hazardous pesticides (HHP) are applied to crops. In the reference year, 83 coastal Municipalities covering a planted surface of 916 327 ha applied 280 tons of HHP. In addition to presenting the assessment of the quantity of agrochemicals used in Mexican coastal areas, some simple indicators were built considering the level of toxicity of the type of HHP used, the mean distance from the county to the sea, and the rain regime in each region -as a potential element of conduction of pollutants to the sea-. Using the indicator that include the mean distance to the sea, the highest level of potential coastal pollution occurs in the states of Sonora, Tamaulipas and Chiapas in which 11 counties uses in their crops HHP. Considering also the HHP level of toxicity, Tamaulipas and Sonora appear as the states with highest levels of potential coastal pollution and finally, when the rain is included, Chiapas and Colima States appear as the states where agricultural activities are potentially the most damaging to the coastal and marine environment. These simple calculations could help Mexican authorities to establish protective measures again the pollution of coastal areas through strongest regulations and integrated management programs.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/IAHR-39WC252171192022660

Year: 2022