Severe Eutrophication in the Apodi-Mossoró River Basin: Trophic State Assessment and Implications for Integrated Nutrient Management
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66069/ojspub.26821001Keywords:
Apodi-Mossoró River Basin, Trophic State Index (IET), eutrophication, nutrient enrichmentAbstract
This study assesses the trophic status of the Apodi-Mossoró River Basin in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, from 2008 to 2016 using the Trophic State Index (IET), which classifies water bodies according to nutrient enrichment and its associated effects on excessive phytoplankton growth. IET values were analyzed using descriptive statistics—mean, mode, median, standard deviation, and variance—supported by box-plot visualization and hypothesis testing. The results indicate that the basin experienced severe eutrophication throughout the study period, reflecting substantial pollutant loading that directly compromises water quality. Empirical data from the Água Azul monitoring program substantiate this conclusion at specific sites.
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