Influência da sazonalidade e de ações antrópicas na qualidade da água: um estudo de caso

Abstract

Water is a vital resource for the existence and sustenance of life on the planet. Consumption of water for living beings becomes safe when no substances can confer any degradation or pollution so that its potability is guaranteed and waterborne diseases ate prevented. Water quality has a direct influence on public health and the preservation of ecosystems, since water contamination can cause devastating impacts, leading to the loss of species, ecological imbalance, and, furthermore, negatively impact economic development. In the Brazilian semi-arid region, there is a constant problem resulting from water scarcity, as in the State of Ceará, which throughout its history has experienced several severe droughts. Moreover, in this State there is a high evaporation rate of water bodies, concomitant to low rainfall rates, which results in frequent water deficit tables. However, through governmental initiatives, such as the construction of water reservoirs and flow regulation works, attempts are being made to mitigate the problem. Thus, this research aimed to carry out the classification of water bodies as a tool for public health maintenance, through the monitoring of water quality parameters of a body of water located in the urban area of the city of Russas - CE. The study area of this research was a stretch of the Stream Araibu, with a surface water point and a groundwater point. The study was carried out in the beginning of 2022, coinciding with the rainy season in the region; samples were collected from January to May, five samples for each spot. In the laboratory, the physicochemical parameters studied were pH, electrical conductivity, total residue, total dissolved solids, turbidity, alkalinity, chlorides and total hardness, as well as microbiological parameters of total coliforms and E. coli. During the monitoring carried out, it was observed that the volume of precipitation showed an increase, causing a dilution of sediments and organic matter, which consequently reduced the concentrations of pollutants in the samples collected. The monitoring showed high values compared to the quality standards stipulated by the regulation, such as CONAMA Resolution No. 357/2005. The microbiological indicators Total coliforms and E. Coli were present throughout the monitoring, indicating fecal contamination. Finally, consumers of water from both locations can be affected by waterborne diseases. In this sense, the waters of the stream are unsuitable for navigation, fishing, animal watering and agriculture