Bioindicators assessing water quality and environmental impacts of water treatment plant sludge Online publication date: Fri, 09-Dec-2016
by Talitha R. Alves Abreu Da Costa; Olmar Baller Weber; Carlos J. Pestana; José Capelo-Neto
International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development (IJESD), Vol. 16, No. 1, 2017
Abstract: This study had as objectives to assess water quality using macroinvertebrate communities in Gaviao artificial reservoir (Brazil), used to supply potable water to 2.5 million people, and to evaluate how these organisms responded to the discharge of water treatment sludge into a natural wetland. A total of 1,621 specimens across 23 taxa were identified. Mollusca were the dominant and most frequent group while Insecta presented the most richness. Based on feeding mode, there were more predator organisms than scrapers. The Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP') method showed to be more sensible to water quality variations than ASPT index, going from polluted to questionable water quality more frequently. The chemical parameters analysed showed no significant variations and were not a sensitive method for assessing water quality. No organisms could be found downstream of the sludge discharge point, indicating a high impact of sludge disposal on local biota.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development (IJESD):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com