The present study evaluated the physical and chemical characteristics of the water of the rivers Solimões, Purus and their tributaries, collected in November of 2004 in the State of Amazonas between the cities of Manacapuru and Alvarães and Anamã and Pirarauara. Physical-chemical analyses (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, Ca2+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, HCO3-, SO4(2-), Cl-), and trace-elements (Li, B, Al, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Pb, La, Ce e U) and Sr isotopes were accomplished. The analyzed parameters and the chemical composition show that the waters of the rivers and tributaries of the central region of the Amazonia are chemically distinct between them. The white waters of Solimões are calcium-bicarbonate and of Purus are bicarbonates, and the respectives tributaries are sodium-potassium-bicarbonate and sodium-potassium-sulphate. This causes the white poorly acided waters to the neutrals and more conductives, while the black ones are less mineralized, more acids, mainly of Purus. The Ba, Sr, Cu, V e As in highest levels differentiate the Solimões white waters of the Purus`s waters, well as the tributaries of the first related to the second. This complex of caracteristics indicates that the Solimões as the Purus and their respectives tributaries are submitted to geological/ambiental distinct conditions. The influence of arrives in port of sediments of Andes is diluted at the currency of basin of the Solimões and it reflects on formation of fertile valleys Solimões and Purus. By another view, the crust rocks, represented by the Shields of the Guianas and Brasileiro both contribute, but in a reduced proportion.
Physical and chemical parameters; Tributaries of the Solimões and Purus; Black water; Isotopes of Sr; Diagrams of stability
