Water quality assessment of the Sinos River, Southern Brazil

The Sinos River basin is located Northeast of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (29 degrees 20' to 30 degrees 10' S and 50 degrees 15' to 51 degrees 20' W), Southern Brazil, covering two geomorphologic provinces: the Southern plateau and central depression. It is part of the Guaiba basin and has an area of approximately 800 km(2), encompassing 32 municipalities. The objective of this study was to monitor water quality in the Sinos River, the largest river in this basin. Water samples were collected at four selected sites in the Sinos River, and the following parameters were analysed: pH, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD(5)), turbidity, fecal coliforms, total dissolved solids, temperature, nitrate, nitrite, phosphorous, chromium, lead, aluminum, zinc, iron, and copper. The results were analysed based on Resolution No. 357/2005 of the Brazilian National Environmental Council (CONAMA) regarding regulatory limits for residues in water. A second analysis was performed based on a water quality index (WQI) used by the Sinos River Basin Management Committee (COMITESINOS). Poor water quality in the Sinos River presents a worrying scenario for the region, since this river is the main source of water supply for the urban core. Health conditions found in the Sinos River, mainly in its lower reaches, are worrying and a strong indicator of human activities on the basin.