Influence of the use and occupation of soil on the quality of water – study case in the Laranja Doce stream, Dourados/MS - Brazil

Abstract

Anthropization inevitably entails both positive and negative changes to the environment. The present study aims to evaluate the influence of land use and coverage on water quality in the Laranja Doce stream micro basin in Dourados/MS-Brazil. The micro basin was divided into two sub-basins of influence, one primarily for agricultural use (right margin) and the other for urban densification (left margin). Geotechnologies conducted the land use characterization and cover. In addition, water quality analyses were made at the experimental areas’ outflow points. As a result, the watershed showed a high anthropization degree (83%). In general terms, the sub-basin on the left margin (greater urban density and presence of wastewater treatment plants) had the worst performance in the compared analyzed indicators, especially regarding thermotolerant coliforms, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen.