Análise da água do riacho alagadiço e do riacho cachoeirinha e caracterização da comunidade zooplanctônica (trecho 6, Parque Raquel de Queiroz)

Abstract

Zooplankton is composed of heterotrophic animals, drifters and primary consumers, important as indicators of water quality. The Alagadiço Creek originates in the João Lopes reservoir and the Cachoeirinha Creek in the Santo Anastácio reservoir, on the Pici Campus, forming the main sources of the Raquel de Queiroz Park. The objective of this research was to characterize the zooplankton community of the two springs, in addition to monitoring and defining the limnological conditions of the streams until they meet the Raquel de Queiroz Park in section 6. Monthly collections were carried out between March and November 2023, using a net of zooplankton, with a mesh opening of 63 μm and mouth diameter of 25 cm, 100 liters of water being filtered, concentrated to 10 mL, fixed in 4% formaldehyde in a 1:1 ratio. An average of 10 subsamples of 0.1 mL were analyzed using a Callmex® microscope. Data on transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen content, ammonia, nitrite and phosphate of the water were also obtained. 20 species of zooplankton were identified, distributed in 11 families and 7 classes, with Classe Monogononta being the most representative and dominant. The environments analyzed show a high level of eutrophication, however Raquel de Queiroz Park has a natural filtration system that promises biological recovery of the environment, resulting in the revitalization of urban green space and greater environmental awareness among residents surrounding the area.