Abstract
In this paper, the water quality of a stream that receives industrial effluents is evaluated through the analysis of two indices. Data (dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, pH, turbidity, colour, temperature and thermotolerant coliforms) were collected from five stations in the Mussuré Stream, located in João Pessoa (Northeast of Brazil), between January 1992 and December 2004. Spatial and temporary changes were recorded. The quality indices used, Objective Water Quality Index (WQIOBJ) and Bascarón Adapted Water Quality Index (WQIBA), presented similar trends and were considered adequate for evaluating the impacts of industrial effluent on water bodies. The flexibility of these indices relative to the parameters utilised in the calculations facilitates water quality evaluation in developing countries, where high cost and lack of necessary structure for analysis of other parameters are current deterrents to appropriate water quality evaluation.Keywords: water quality indices; water bodies; industrial effluents
Highlights
The use of water quality indices (WQI) simplifies the presentation of results of an investigation related to a water body, as it summarises in one value or concept a series of parameters analysed
By applying the Objective Water Quality Index (WQIOBJ) it was verified that, along the stream, the worst water quality was found at Station MS 01A
The correlation was considered significant for a probability of less than a 5% error (p < 0.05)
Summary
The use of water quality indices (WQI) simplifies the presentation of results of an investigation related to a water body, as it summarises in one value or concept a series of parameters analysed. In this way, the indices are very useful to transmit information concerning water quality to the public in general, giving a good idea of the evolution tendency of water quality to evolve over a period of time, besides allowing the comparison between different watercourses or different locations along the same course; indices are important tools for management of hydrographic basins (Almeida and Schwarzbold, 2003; Couillard and Lefebvre, 1985). This index allows the introduction or exclusion of parameters in agreement with the needs or limitations for data acquisition (Bascarón, 1979)
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