Multi-indicators and evidence of Cytotoxicity—a case study of a stream in central Brazil

Abstract

(1) Background: Aquatic systems are important to the community and the environment, requiring careful assessment, including the monitoring of their waters. Cities are usually built close to aquatic systems, which serve as a source of water for the entire population. With the uncontrolled increase in cities, aquatic environments receive a great pollutant load. (2) Methods: In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate water contamination, evaluating multi-indicators, cytotoxicity and mutagenicity and conducting a multivariate analysis on the João Leite stream in central Brazil. (3) Results: It was demonstrated, by means of multi-indicators of water quality, that according to the CONAMA classification, current Brazilian legislation and the purpose of the João Leite stream, the water quality met some parameters (i.e., turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and bacteriological); however, in some samples, the quality was poor or very poor. Samples collected in the rainy season indicated cytotoxicity, probably due to pollutants dragged by the rain into the stream. Based on multivariate and association analysis, we suggest that the João Leite stream presents anthropogenic pollution. (4) Conclusions: This study provides data for the development of prevention, control and environmental management policies. In addition, we demonstrate that the use of multivariate statistical analyses can provide data on water pollution, its source of pollution and the association between pollutants.