Determination of toxicity assays, trophic state index, and physicochemical parameters on Piracicaba River and Itapeva Stream

Determinação de ensaios de toxicidade, índice de estado trófico e parâmetros físico-químicos no Rio Piracicaba e no Córrego Itapeva

Anthropogenic activity has a great impact on aquatic environments, causing changes in biodiversity and the environment. In an attempt to determine pollution levels, we established physicochemical parameters, a trophic state index and toxicity assays. The Piracicaba River is an important water body that receives xenobiotic waste from industry, domestic activities and agriculture. These pollutants are released directly into the river or by streams like Itapeva Stream, which discharges into the river. The goals of this work were to analyze the toxicity factor for Daphnia magna (TF_D), trophic state index (TSI), pH, conductivity, temperature and dissolved oxygen in the Piracicaba River and in the Itapeva Stream from one monthly collection in the months of May, June and August 2011. In the Piracicaba River was not found toxicity, while in May, June and August the TF_D was 1, 8 and 1, respectively. The TSI varied from mesotrophic to eutrophic in the river and in the stream from ultraoligotrophic to mesotrophic. The medium of conductivity for the Itapeva Stream was 479.5 µS.cm^-1 and for the Piracicaba River was 219.8 µS.cm^-1. The dissolved oxygen in the Piracicaba River varied from 6.89 to11.36 mg.L^-1 and in the Itapeva Stream from 0.92 to 6.31 mg.L^-1. Based upon the results, both hydric bodies were eutrophic, and the Itapeva Stream was classified as unsuitable for maintaining aquatic life.

aquatic life; ecotoxicological tests; environmental contamination; toxicity factor