Surface water analysis is an essential process for assessing the quality and health of water bodies such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs. This evaluation makes it possible to identify possible contamination and to monitor the presence of harmful substances, ensuring the safety of the water and protection of the environment.
Surface water analysis is important because surface water plays a vital role in supplying various human activities, such as consumption, agriculture, and industry. Moreover, adequate water quality is essential for the balance and survival of aquatic ecosystems.
Surface water collection sites may vary depending on the purpose and context of surface water analysis. Collections are usually carried out at strategic points along bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, streams and springs.
They include parameters such as pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), among others. These parameters help in understanding the physical and chemical characteristics of the water, as well as in identifying possible sources of contamination.
They involve the detection and quantification of metallic elements present in water, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, copper and zinc, among others. The excessive presence of heavy metals can be harmful to human health and aquatic ecosystems, so their evaluation is essential to ensure water safety.
They aim to detect the presence of pathogenic organisms such as fecal coliforms, bacteria and viruses, which can indicate fecal contamination and pose risks to public health. In addition, the presence of algae, cyanobacteria, and other microorganisms is also evaluated.
Surface water analysis helps us to take preventive and corrective measures, enabling the implementation of effective environmental management strategies.
CONAMA Resolution No. 357 establishes guidelines and classifies waters into different types, according to their uses and characteristics. The types of water defined are:
EP Analytics is the EP Group’s INMETRO accredited laboratory for environmental analyses. We have been the fastest growing accredited laboratory of environmental analysis in Brazil for 6 years.
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