USE OF GIS FOR MONITORING OF SOME PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF SURFACE WATERS OF THE SÃO PEDRO RIVER WATERSHED IN FAXINAL – PR

Abstract

The present study aims to demonstrate the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) to monitor some physico-chemical parameters of surface water of the São Pedro river watershed, in the municipality of Faxinal - PR. Initially a fieldwork was carried out to verify the UTM coordinates and to collect the water samples in fifteen points, which were quantified "in situ" with a multiparameter meter. Then a database was elaborated in GIS platform, supported by the methodology of representing information as the location of the study area and of the sampling points, as well as environmental quality maps containing the levels of the parameter measured in each point sampled. Thus, the GIS enabled the processing of georeferenced data and the correlation of these data with the possible sources of pollution natural or by anthropogenic activities. Thus, the GIS enabled the monitoring of surface water quality, providing faster and more reliable results as regards to make decisions to control pollution of this source, contributing for the planning and management of these water resources.