Abstract
ABSTRACT Inland water environments, such as natural and artificial lakes, are increasingly vulnerable to extreme events (heavy rains, severe drought). This study aims to evaluate if this events affect the water quality of tropical semi-arid springs. The results showed that the reservoirs presented significant changes in the limnological variables between the rainy season and severe drought periods. However, different behaviors were observed among reservoirs in the period of severe drought, which indicate that the responses of these environments to extreme events should take into account other factors such as the climate of the region, the size and depth of the reservoir.
Highlights
The climatic and hydrological factors play important roles in the input, output, water level and water residence time of the reservoirs, directly affecting the limnological patterns (NASELLI-FLORES; BARONE, 2005; SOARES et al, 2012)
Seasonal fluctuations in reservoir water levels are associated with changes in the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of these systems and may result in a decrease in water quality in aquatic ecosystems during periods characterized by low rainfall and reduced water volumes (ARFI, 2003; NASELLI-FLORES; BARONE, 2003; ROCHA JÚNIOR et al, 2018)
According to this index two periods were identified: (I) rainy season - months classified as moderately humid and normal - characterized by rains above average in the rainy months and normal dry months, but under the influence of high precipitations of the previous rainy months; (II) period of severe drought - months classified as moderately dry, severely dry, extremely dry and normal - with rains well below the historical average in the rainy months and normal dry months (Figure 2)
Summary
The climatic and hydrological factors play important roles in the input, output, water level and water residence time of the reservoirs, directly affecting the limnological patterns (NASELLI-FLORES; BARONE, 2005; SOARES et al, 2012). Seasonal fluctuations in reservoir water levels are associated with changes in the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of these systems and may result in a decrease in water quality in aquatic ecosystems during periods characterized by low rainfall and reduced water volumes (ARFI, 2003; NASELLI-FLORES; BARONE, 2003; ROCHA JÚNIOR et al, 2018). Global or local climatic changes, when affect the hydrological regime, may compromise the water quality of the water sources, especially as regards the eutrophication process (BRAGA; BECKER; MATTOS, 2015). On the other hand, prolonged drought events cause water levels to fall, concentrating nutrients there, a favorable condition for the excessive growth of cyanobacteria (MOSS et al, 2011)
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