A preliminary evaluation of sediment quality of two springs, Espraiado stream and Monjolinho river, São Carlos – SP

Abstract

An effective way to analyze hydric bodies is through their sediments characterization, once this compartment accumulates compounds arising from the surroundings. The present study aimed at comparing the environmental quality of two springs, the Espraiado stream spring (preserved) and the Monjolinho river spring (anthropized). Toxicity, organic matter, pH, density, humidity, metals and granulometry analyses were performed during the drought and raining seasons in 2012. The monitoring of sediments and analysis of the surroundings of the spring supplied an environmental diagnosis. The existence of riparian vegetation around the Espraiado spring constitutes a landscape factor that effectively ensures the maintenance of the environmental quality of this spring, without compromising matter and energy flows, which are innate characteristics of a natural ecosystem. However, in the Monjolinho spring this quality pattern was not observed, also presenting various other problems such as erosion, lack of riparian vegetation and anthropic uses on the surroundings (agriculture and pasture).