In order to characterize spatially and temporarily streams of the São Francisco Verdadeiro river micro-basin in Marechal Cândido Rondon, State of Paraná, Brazil, according to limnological factors, six sampling stations were established in three streams (Curvado, Ajuricaba and Arroio Fundo) - one station at the mouth of the river and other at the spring of the streams. Water samples were collected between June 2005 and May 2006, totalizing 72 samples. The following variables were analyzed: temperature, pH, electric conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, suspended matter, total dissolved phosphorus, orthophosphate, total nitrogen and amoniacal nitrogen. According to ANOVA (variance analysis) it was observed low variability among the sampling stations however the temporal variation demonstrated the influence of the hydrologic cycle. The Principal Components Analysis (PCA) discriminated the system based on the largest values registered for the limnological variables separating the periods influenced by droughts and rains. Most of the variables are associated with the rain period; however, sporadic concentration of nutrients in the drought and smaller dissolved oxygen values indicates a dilution difficulty in this period, caused by decrease of rain and consequently decrease of water volume in the streams.
physical and chemical variables; limnology; aloctone material
