Integrated analysis of water quality from two rivers used for public supply in southern Brazil

Flávia Bernardo Chagas,Gregori Betiato Bieniek,Marília Teresinha Hartmann,Camila Fátima Rutkoski,Paulo Afonso Hartmann,Gean Delise Leal Pasquali Vargas

doi:10.1590/s2179-975x6616

Flávia Bernardo Chagas, Gregori Betiato Bieniek + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s2179-975x6616

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Abstract

Abstract: Aim This study aimed to evaluate the water quality of streams that are used for public supply, through an integrated analysis using a biotic index, as well as physicochemical and microbiological parameters. Methods The data were obtained monthly, from November 2014 to April 2015, at eight locations in two rivers in the south of Brazil. The landscape is predominantly rural, with the occurrence of small reforested areas, as well as yerba mate and grape cultivations. Macroinvertebrate samples were collected monthly using a Surber sampler. Water temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration were measured in the field using a portable oximeter. The following parameters were measured in the laboratory: pH, Turbidity, BOD, Conductivity and Nitrate. Results The evaluation carried out in the rivers revealed good water quality, but some sample sites presented reduced water quality. The waters of the Leãozinho River were classified as doubtful at site 1 and as good at sites 2, 3 and 4. Ligeirinho River presented an acceptable rating at sites 1 and 4 and was classified as good at sites 2 and 3. The BMWP’ index was significantly correlated with the abundance of macroinvertebrates, EPT richness and BOD. The abundance and richness of macroinvertebrates in Leãozinho and Ligeirinho Rivers were associated with the physical, chemical and microbiological parameters. Conclusion This study reinforces the importance of biomonitoring in the evaluation of water quality for human consumption, considering that environmental management and monitoring practices should integrate physicochemical, microbiological and biological parameters.

Highlights

Cities are places with many social, economic and environmental problems, especially in developing countries, where social disparities and the lack of financial and technical resources for matching urban infrastructure and environmental management issues are greater (Gorski, 2010)
This study aimed to evaluate the water quality of two southern Brazilian rivers used for public supply through the use of the biotic index BMWP’ and assessment of physical, chemical and microbiological parameters
It was expected that the sources of the rivers would present better water quality, but the source of the Leãozinho River was classified as doubtful by the BMWP’ index, with a decrease in richness and abundance of EPT and pollution by the Shannon index

Summary

Introduction

Cities are places with many social, economic and environmental problems, especially in developing countries, where social disparities and the lack of financial and technical resources for matching urban infrastructure and environmental management issues are greater (Gorski, 2010). The main sources of degradation of freshwater resources in Brazil are domestic and industrial sewage, released into continental waterbodies with little or no treatment, resulting in environmental and sanitary degradation of rivers (Esteves, 1998). This type of pollution affects the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the water and the soil and can affect the health, survival and behavior of biological communities dependent on the water basin (Esteves, 1998; Goulart & Callisto, 2003). That live part of their life cycle associated with aquatic ecosystems and represent the ecological conditions of the environment in which they live, are used for analysis of rivers (Costa et al, 2006; Teive et al, 2008)

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