O biomonitoramento aquático como ferramenta de gestão ambiental

Abstract

Biomonitoring is defined as the systematic use of biological responses to assess environmental changes, usually anthropogenic impacts. The objectives of this study were to investigate the Alegria River, whose bed crosses through part of the urban perimeter of the municipality of Medianeira, Paraná – Brazil, under the point of view of the abiotic and biotic components and characterize the activity of biomonitoring as environmental management tool. It was defined four collection points along the river near the Sewage Treatment Plant and the rural area of the city, where it was collected water samples and sediments using a Petersen dredge type. Certain biotic variables were investigated as the benthic macroinvertebrate and abiotic variables such as temperature, conductivity, total solids, pH, dissolved oxygen, width and depth of the river channel and also the speed of water. The macroinvertebrates were identified to the taxonomic level of family. For evaluation of the quality of the water by means of the aquatic organisms were used biological indexes Biological Biomonitoring Work Party System, Average Score Per Taxon, Family Biotic Index and calculating the Shannon-Wiener Diversity. The results indicated that the Alegria River significantly affected by the different activities realized in his surroundings. The diversity of organisms presented diversified spatial distribution reflecting the influence of human activities on the fauna, especially in the portion of the Alegria River downstream the Sewage Treatment Plant of the municipality.