Monitoring subtropical aquatic ecosystems: evaluating the use of Trophic State Indices (TSI) and Aquatic Life Protection (API) as baseline indices by monitoring an urban reservoir in southeastern Brazil

Abstract

The use of indices is recommended for continuous monitoring and assessment of aquatic ecosystems, as they summarize the technical complexity of the results of multiple analyzes performed and translate these results into quality classes that reflect the actions taken and indicate ways to recover and conserve the resources. Environmental trophic state indices provide information on how nutrients, light availability and other factors promote the development of algal biomass and contribute to increased enrichment status of aquatic systems. Lamparelli's Trophic State Index (TSI) distinguishes between lentic (lower phytoplankton productivity) and lotic (higher phosphorus concentrations and lower chlorophyll-a concentrations) environments. The Aquatic Life Protection Index (ALPI) reflects water quality based on the trophic state of the environment, determines the degree of toxicity to biota and indicates deficiencies in variables and conditions essential for the protection of aquatic life. The indices were applied to a long data series to monitor the Guarapiranga Reservoir, an urban reservoir in the state of São Paulo in southeastern Brazil, which suffers from the urbanization of its surroundings and the discharge of domestic wastewater. The evaluation of the time series from 1978 to 2021 using these indices showed a deterioration in the trophic status and conservation of aquatic life in the reservoir and in one of its tributaries. Considering that the joint assessment of the two indices provides an approach to environmental conservation, their long-term use reflected changes and impacts on the environment and showed the best-preserved sites. Both indices are suitable for application in a baseline network in subtropical environments. They can pinpoint locations for better monitoring and are sensitive to environmental changes.