Monitoramento da qualidade físico-química da água do estuário do Rio Paraíba – Cabedelo, PB

This work aims at monitoring the quality of the water of the estuary of Paraíba River to provide actions of protection and recovery of the water environment. Besides, it also highlights the potential risk of contamination of the shellfish. The study was developed in the area of shellfish extraction, located in Paraíba River, in CabedeloPB. The samples were collected from three sandbanks. In each sandbank two points three times, between the months of May and August of the year 2014, totalizing an amount of 18 samples analyzed. The parameters (temperature, turbidity, pH, electric conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonia, nitrite and phosphate) were evaluated following the methodology of APHA (1998). The results ratify the existence of activities that cause the elevated concentration of the content of ammonia and the low level of DO in the water environment. The dynamics of the tide and the physical conditions of the environment accelerate the reaction of nitrification. The concentrations of phosphate and nitrite were in the maximum limit established by the resolution number 357/05 of the CONAMA. Considering the potential risks of the contamination of the shellfish due to hydric pollution, it is necessary an intervention of inspection agencies in relation to the direct disposal of solid and liquid wastes in the estuary as a way of warranting the integrity of the water environment and the health of consumers.