A CONTRIBUTION TO THE HYDROCHEMISTRY AND WATER TYPOLOGY OF THE AMAZON RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

Authors:
  • EREduardo Antonio Ríos-Villamizar
    Eduardo Antonio Ríos-Villamizar
  • HCHillândia Brandão da Cunha
    Hillândia Brandão da Cunha
  • SMSebastião Átila Fonseca Miranda
    Sebastião Átila Fonseca Miranda
  • SFSávio José Filgueiras Ferreira
    Sávio José Filgueiras Ferreira
  • SBSergio R. Bulcão Bringel
    Sergio R. Bulcão Bringel
  • NGNúbia Abrantes Gomes
    Núbia Abrantes Gomes
  • DPDomitila Pascoaloto
    Domitila Pascoaloto
  • LSLuana Monteiro Silva
    Luana Monteiro Silva
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Abstract
The geological diversity of the Amazon Basin, as well as the pluvial regime, influences the characteristics of the waters. To know the water types of the rivers of the Amazon basin, 288 superficial water samples were collected, 94 of them along the Amazon River and 194 in their tributaries, from March 2009 to September 2012. The physical, chemical, and physicochemical properties were analyzed. Rivers with pH between 6.5 and 7.6 and electrical conductivity (40.00 - 80.00 μS cm-1) are water bodies that are influenced by the Andean region (e.g., the Amazon River and some of its right bank tributaries). On the other hand, the rivers with pH in the range of 3.5 to 5.5 and conductivity -1, which are Amazon River’s left bank tributaries, reflect the characteristics of the Guiana Shield. The rivers with pH (6.0 to 7.0), low ionic charge, and conductivity -1, such as the lower Amazon River’s right bank tributaries (Tapajos and Xingu) which are influenced by the Central Brazilian Shield, and also the middle/upper Amazon River’s right bank tributaries (Tefé, Coari and Jutaí).