Resumo Na avaliação da qualidade da água, além das análises físico-químicas e geoquímicas, outros métodos podem ser utilizados para realizar estudos ou monitoramentos. O objetivo deste estudo foi utilizar espécies de bioindicadores bentônicos intolerantes, tolerantes e resistentes às alterações na qualidade da água de dois córregos, considerando a granulometria dos sedimentos e sólidos voláteis. Foram amostrados oito pontos no córrego Bandeirinha e quatro pontos no córrego Josefa Gomes nos meses de janeiro e setembro de 2013. Os córregos estão localizados no município de Formosa-GO. A escolha dos dois córregos deu-se por estarem inseridos em ambientes distintos. Foram utilizados os índices de diversidade Shannon (H), Equitabilidade (E) e Similaridade de Bray-Curtis e o método de agrupamento UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean ). Foram identificadas no córrego Bandeirinha espécies bioindicadoras intolerantes às alterações na qualidade da água. Os reduzidos valores aferidos de sólidos voláteis, próprios de locais com pouca alteração antrópica, e as maiores dimensões granulométricas também corroboram uma paridade nos resultados. O córrego Josefa Gomes, completamente inserido em ambiente urbano apresentou alterações com espécies tolerantes e resistentes. Os resultados demostraram a distinção da qualidade da água em ambiente rural e urbano e a relação dos bioindicadores com os sedimentos. O estudo auxilia na interpretação das alterações na qualidade nas duas drenagens na região. A análise da qualidade da água por meio dos bioindicadores bentônicos pode ser associada às análises físico-químicas e geoquímicas da água e dos sedimentos para uma melhor interpretação dos resultados.

Abstract Methods other than physical-chemical and geochemical analyses can be used to assess water quality in surface drainage. This study used intolerant, tolerant and resistant benthic species as bioindicators of changes in water quality of two streams, taking in account particle size of sediments and volatile solids. Eight points were sampled in the stream Bandeirinha and four points in the stream Josefa Gomes in January and September 2013 in the municipality of Formosa-GO. The two streams were chosen in order to study two different environments. The study used the diversity indexes of Shannon (H), Equitability (E) and Bray-Curtis Similarity and the grouping analysis method UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean). The results of particle size and volatile solids study of Bandeirinha stream located in rural areas showed bioindicator species intolerant of changes in water quality. The stream Josefa Gomes, completely inserted in an urban environment, showed alteration identified by tolerant and resistant species. The results demonstrate differences in water quality in the rural and urban environments and the relationship of bioindicators with sediments. The study aids the interpretation of changes in the water quality of the two drainages areas. Analysis of water quality based upon benthic biological indicators associated with physical-chemical and geochemical analyses of water and sediments provide a better interpretation of the results.

The spread of Brasília isn't accompanied by correct support of land occupation, situation that is reflected in water quality. Under the optics of land use and occupation, working with multivariate statistics as main tool, water physical and chemical quality of Gama Catchment were assessed. During two years samples were collected and analyzed for 24 parameters. The statistical analysis showed the influence of civil buildings, agricultural activities and the best statistical parameters to a quickly assessment: nitrate, ammonia, suspended solids and aluminium.

This survey determined the physical and chemical properties of the gravel place where urban sludge from Rio Descoberto's Water Treatment Plant is disposed. Physical, chemical and biological analysis of the soil samples (n=54), sludge samples (n=2), chemical coagulant (n=20) and samples from superficial waters (n=9) and water table (n=60) were performed. As results we can emphasize the horizontal distribution of mineral phases like gibbsite, organic material, exchanged Ca, available Mn and P on the soils are originated from the sludge. Some of these mobile elements could stimulate the growing of the vegetation, but they also could contaminate the water table.

The objective of this paper is to investigate the physical and chemical quality of the water of the Descoberto River during the dry and rainy seasons by measuring pH, temperature, electric conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, color, alkalinity and NO3-, SO4(2-), PO4(3-), NH4+, Cl- and HCO3-, and the elements Sr, Mo, Cd, Y, Ti, Ca, V, Mg, Fe, Si, Ni, Zr, Cu, Al, Cr, Mn, Ba, Co, Zn, P, Na and K. The results showed high concentrations in both seasons, with dilution along the course of the river, minimizing for a while problems that compromise the quality of the water of this source. However, a progressive deterioration can occur due to an increase in the discharge of pollutants, resulting from population growth, agricultural activities and other factors.

The present study aimed at determining a regional geochemical reference for sediment samples from Lago Paranoá watershed through the formulation of geoaccumulation indexes. The need for obtaining information from areas representing low human impact was the basis of this work. Systematic evaluations of sediment from Lago Paranoá will bring valuable information regarding the potential risk that this layer represents for aquatic organisms. Thus, despite the recent water quality improvements achieved in this ecosystem, contaminants incorporated in the sediments may be remobilized for alterations in the adjacent environment. The adsorption capacity of chemical elements in sediment samples was controlled through the variation in the amounts of organic matter, the mineralogical composition and the granulometric variation. By creating the Sediment Enrichment Index (SEI) through the normalization of analytical data it was possible to establish the magnitude of this enrichment relatively to naturally occurring concentrations all over the region of interest. Normalized values with organic matter were especially useful for the evaluation of lothic systems.