Physical-Chemical Characterization of Peri River, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brazil

Abstract

Rivers always went too utilized for the population’s benefits, however, environmental impacts caused by humans have resulted in aquatic ecosystems degradation. This fact decreases biological diversity and impairs water availability. Amongst elements which could be quantified to evaluate the impact caused anthropically are phosphorus and nitrogen since the increase of their levels in rivers could result in artificial eutrophication. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the Peri River (Pontal do Paraná – PR) in a spacetime perspective, between 2018 and 2019. It was measured the pH, dissolved oxygen, electric conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, air and water temperature, phosphorus, nitrate, and ammonium in 8 samples points. The majority of the parameters got compatible values with the established with 357/2005 CONAMA’s resolution, even the results of the ammonia ion in May 2019 in the points 1, 2, 3, and 4 have shown high values, likely as consequence as leachate from the dump. The parameter pH in point 8, localized in the river source has shown acid values due to soil leaching or the introduction of chemical substances adjacent to this place. As well as past studies, phosphorus has been showing elevated values, which in this set sample collections, data are 50 folds higher than to the established by the CONAMA’s resolution, making the Peri River susceptible to eutrophication and environmental deterioration. We concluded that Peri River has been suffering gradually with anthropic impacts, thus, preventive and palliative actions must be taken immediately against the anthropic actions.