Avaliação preliminar da qualidade das águas da Floresta Nacional de São Francisco de Paula, RS, Brasil

Preliminary evaluation of the water quality in the National Forest of Sao Francisco de Paula, RS, Brazil) - A preliminary analysis of the water quality of Rolante River and Lajeado Stream microbasins was accomplished with the purpose of verifying the impact of human activities on these water bodies. Both microbasins cross the area of the National Forest of Sao Francisco de Paula (FLONA-SFP), a national conservation unit located in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Physical and chemical variables were analyzed, as well as the composition and abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates. In a general way, the water quality was considered good, although it was detected some contamination for the variables phosphorus, nitrate, nitrite, fecal coliform and total dissolved solids in the point PT5, copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the point PT6 (Lajeado stream) and fecal coliform in the points PT1 and PT2 (Rolante river). The contamination is originated probably from the use of pesticides, animal keeping and from agricultural and domestic sewage.