Analysis of the changes on the water quality parameters of the Carmo River, doce river tributary, after the fundão dam break, in Mariana-MG

Abstract

Water is the main resource for life on the planet, being related to the survival of species and the balance of biodiversity. Water pollution is a consequence of human activities. On November 5, 2015, the Fundão dam break, reaching the Gualaxo do Norte river, flowing into the Carmo river until its arrival in the Doce river. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of the waters of the Carmo River by means of the data provided by IGAM (Water Management Institute of Minas Gerais) at two monitoring points, RD009 and RD071, comparing the results with the limits allowed by the current legislation and performing analysis relating the results observed with the disruption of the Fundão dam in Mariana-MG. The following parameters were selected: Dissolved aluminum, total arsenic, total barium, total cadmium, total lead, free cyanide, total chloride, dissolved copper, total chromium, dissolved iron, phosphorus total sulfur, sulfide and total zinc and other parameters such as chlorophyll "a", total dissolved solids, total phenols and surface active substances, true color, biochemical demand, total alkalinity, total manganese, total mercury, total nickel, nitrate, nitrite, total ammoniacal nitrogen, of oxygen (BOD), oils and greases, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and pH. In general, the parameters met the current legislation with the exception of phosphorus, manganese, aluminum and arsenic. Only the parameter turbidity demonstrated a possible relation with the dam rupture.