Hydrogeochemical Research of Surface Water of the Córrego Sujo Watershed, Teresópolis, RJ, Brazil

Abstract

The surface water quality was investigated in the Córrego Sujo watershed, located in the municipality of Teresópolis, a mountainous region in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The emphasis focused on inorganic parameters of water, since there are applications of pesticides in agricultural cultivations. The natural and anthropogenic contributions of the study area were monitored monthly in eight sites in the river channels of the drainage basin. The results were analyzed using an ICP-OES spectrophotometer and subsequently compared to Conama Resolution 357/05. In order to support the interpretation of the results of water quality, flow and precipitation data were measured in the watershed, along with the land use and vegetation cover map produced from a GeoEye satellite image. The study revealed that the surface waters were in high concentrations and above those recommended by Conama Resolution. It was noted also that the lithological and pedological variables influenced the results of water quality. Regarding seasonality, it has not been possible to establish a common standard to all elements in the rainy season or dry season, however, in the analysis of each parameter separately, there was evidence of a concentration distribution in temporal variation. Therefore, the results of this study indicate that it is also necessary to highlight these issues in the territorial planning of the municipality and in the management of the Committee of Rio Piabanha watershed, to avoid the increasing of uncontrolled expansion of irrigated crops and intensive use of agrochemical inputs.