Physico-chemical and microbiological assay of the Lázaro Beach in Ubatuba-SP

Lazaro beach is located in the city of Ubatuba, north coast of Sao Paulo, and it is frequented by many families during the summer for having few waves, shallow sea and easy access. Its surroundings have vacation homes, marinas and bars/kiosks and there are several streams that cross the sands and flow into the sea. This study evaluated the physico-chemical parameters (pH, orthophosphate, turbidity, nitrate, nitrite, ammoniacal nitrogen and dissolved oxygen) and microbiological parameters (Escherichia coli) of the sea of the Lazaro beach and the microbiological parameters of one of these streams. For this, we used the reagent kit Ecokit II® and Colipaper®. The values obtained for the parameter nitrate were in high concentration compared to the limit established for salt water intended for primary contact recreation (Class 1 of CONAMA Resolution 357/2005) and the microbiological evaluation of the stream showed high count of coliforms (7.840 CFU/100ml). So, the results demonstrate evidence of contamination caused by discharges of urban effluents into the stream that flows into the sea, which may be affecting the water quality and also can be a threat to the tourist’s health. This results corroborates with official monitoring, in which about 20% of the results attesting impropriety to the use of the Lazaro beach in the year of this evaluation (2017).