Avaliação da influência do uso de terra na qualidade da água e contaminação microbiológica na bacia do Rio Mulauzi: implicação para a saúde pública

Abstract

The quality of superficial freshwater has been widely affected by changes in land use and occupation, especially in watersheds located in urban and suburban areas developing countries. This work was developed within the scope of the SARA project, based on data obtained in previous studies and complemented with new analyses. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of land use and occupation on water quality and microbiological contamination in the Mulauzi River basin (also called Infulene River), located in Maputo, Mozambique, considering its implications for public health. Water samples were collected at different points in the basin, with subsequent analysis of physicochemical parameters (pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, nitrates, and phosphates) and microbiological parameters (total coliforms and Escherichia coli), associating them with the different types of land use identified through satellite images and geospatial analysis. The results indicate that areas with a higher degree of urbanization, intensive agriculture, and absence of vegetal cover present higher levels of contamination, exceeding the recommended limits for consumption and recreational use. Furthermore, it was found that the presence of E. coli in elevated concentrations represents a potential health risk to local populations, especially in communities that use river water for domestic purposes. The study reinforces the need for integrated public policies for spatial planning and water resource management, focusing on the protection of human health and environmental sustainability.