Representative water quality parameters in a critical water basin: elements for planning and management

Abstract

Changes in water quality are a consequence of water and land use dynamics. Measuring these relationships is challenging, especially when looking at distinct variables such as traditional organic matter constituents and emerging compounds. Although monitoring is necessary for proper water resource planning and management strategies, a comprehensive methodological approach is in general time-consuming and costly, which discourages decision-makers. The goal of the study was to establish consistent water quality elements based on a statistical analysis to identify the most representative parameters of a critical urban basin. The results highlighted BOD, nitrogen, and phosphorus series as chemical representative parameters; and conductivity, turbidity, and total dissolved solids as the physical parameters. In this context, these parameters represent the most significant uses of the studied area and define a more effective monitoring system that will subsidize decision-making and water resources planning and management.