Statistical evaluation of trends of water quality monitoring parameters relevant to cyanobacterial blooms in the urban tropical reservoir

Abstract

The accelerated growth of cyanobacteria in water bodies is a global critical environmental issue caused by continuous discharges of effluents into the environment that are rich in phosphorus and nitrogen. So, cyanobacteria have found propitious conditions for proliferation, provoking significant ecological imbalances. Cyanobacteria produce cyanotoxins, which are harmful to life, and compounds like 2-methylisoborneol and geosmin that affect water's taste and odor. This study analyzed a long-term database of important environmental parameters from a tropical reservoir in São Paulo State, Brazil. The statistical methods of correlation matrices and principal component analysis were used. Data analysis revealed a significant relationship between cyanobacteria growth and high levels of phosphate and nitrogen. Furthermore, positive correlations were found among concentrations of biocidal elements like antimony, arsenic, and selenium related to cyanobacterial bloomings. These correlations can be attributed to agricultural wastewaters and/or possible algicide used to control these microorganisms.