Environmental fragility and quality of surface waters of the Saladeiro stream watershed, Bonito/MS

Abstract

This research sought to evaluate the environmental fragility and the interference in the quality of surface water of the Saladeiro Stream Watershed, Bonito/MS. To do so, we used information about the rocks and soils through secondary data, all checked by field work; precipitation, through a thematic reference and data from the National Water Agency; relief, using data linked to the digital elevation model; and land use and land cover, through digital processing and classification of satellite images. Along with these procedures, an in loco analysis of the surface waters was carried out to ascertain the physical and chemical parameters. The results made it possible to affirm that the fragility is high in places with soy crops and exposed soil, and that they are overlaid on rocks and soils with instability to erosive processes. At the same time, potential contaminants were found that altered the quality of the water, with several points of solid waste dumping. These facts allowed the formation of proposals for land use planning and the improvement of surface water quality.