Adaptation and applicability assessment of the of a Rapid Assessment Protocol for the Gualaxo do Norte river basin, East-Southeast of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, MG, Brazil

  • Aline Sueli de Lima Rodrigues Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Urutaí
  • Guilherme Malafaia Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Urutaí
  • Adivane Terezinha Costa Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto
  • Hermínio Arias Nalini Júnior Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto
Keywords: environmental assessment, monitoring, physic aspects, water resources

Abstract

In this study, we adapted a Rapid Assessment Protocol methodology (RAP) to assess the environmental conditions of the Gualaxo do Norte River, East-Southeast of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, MG, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Then the RAP was applied to 31 sections along its course and the applicability/viability of the adapted instrument using scientific information on the history and current use and occupation of the Gualaxo do Norte River basin was evaluated. The results showed that RAP was effectively adjusted to evaluate environmental conditions of river under investigation. However, it was observed the need to evaluate parameters that can have their appearance appraisal influenced by the season of the year (dry or wet) or by their location in the basin. It was concluded that the implementation/adaptation of RAPs should be a continuous process of adjustments and improvements to the extent that their employment may cover a diverse range of rivers, watersheds and ecoregions.

Author Biography

Aline Sueli de Lima Rodrigues, Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Urutaí
Professora Efetiva do Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Urutaí. Engenheira Ambiental, Mestre em Ciências Naturais e Doutorando do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Evolução Crustal e Recursos Naturais da Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto - MG.
Published
27/08/2012
Section
Papers