IMPACT OF ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES IN THE SURFACE WATER QUALITY ABOVE GUARANI AQUIFER: A CASE STUDY IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL
JANAINA BASSANI PASTORE
Universidade do Contestado, Concórdia, SC, Brazil.
DENISE TONETTA
Bióloga, Doutora em Ecologia –UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
MAIKON EDUARDO WASKIEWIC
Consórcio Lambari e Comitê do Rio Jacutinga, Concórdia, SC, Brazil.
ALINE VIANCELLI *
Universidade do Contestado, Concórdia, SC, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study evaluated the influence of anthropogenic activities in water quality from rural and urban areas in Southern Brazil, above the Guarani aquifer. Water samples were submitted to microbial and physical-chemical analyses and Trophic State Index calculation. Results showed high levels of total phosphorus, nitrite, and E. coli in the urban area, and consequently a high Trophic State Index, indicating severe stress. In rural areas, elevated nitrate concentrations were found to be related to soil fertilization practices. This study reinforces the alert on the impact of riparian forest recuperation and wastewater treatment on water quality, especially in areas above important aquifer systems such as the Guarani.
Keywords: Nutrients, Trophic State Index, urbanization, water pollution