CHALLENGES TO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN NORTHERN TOCANTINS: THE IMPACT OF ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES ON THE WATER QUALITY OF LONTRA RIVER

Authors

  • Marco Aurélio Miranda Soares Universidade federal do Norte do Tocantins https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4473-2161
  • Gilzelle Maria da Luz Silva Laboratory of Morphophysiology and Biochemistry of Neotropical Fishes, Center of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Northern Tocantins,,Universidade Federal do Norte do Tocantins [https://ror.org/04stx0g16]
  • Liana Bezerra Dias de Lima Laboratory of Morphophysiology and Biochemistry of Neotropical Fishes, Center of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Northern Tocantins,,Universidade Federal do Norte do Tocantins [https://ror.org/04stx0g16]
  • Fabiana Batista de Oliveira Laboratório de morfofísiologia e bioquímica de peixes neotropicais, Universidade Federal do Norte do Tocantins
  • Nicole da Silva feitosa Federal Univesity of northern Tocantins https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3165-4508
  • José Carlos Ribeiro Júnior Food Microbiology Laboratory, Federal University of Northern Tocantins,Universidade Federal do Norte do Tocantins [https://ror.org/04stx0g16] https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3272-4375
  • Sandro Estevan Moron Laboratory of Morphophysiology and Biochemistry of Neotropical Fishes, Center of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Northern Tocantins,,Universidade Federal do Norte do Tocantins [https://ror.org/04stx0g16] https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1359-6160

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20873/2025_jul_15914

Abstract

The impact on public and environmental health due to the contamination of water bodies is a growing concern in Brazil. The Lontra River, located in the southeast of the Legal Amazon and the interior of Matopiba, appears to follow this trend. This study monitored the physical-chemical and microbiological parameters of the Lontra River over 19 months. Eight urban points of the Lontra River in Araguaína, Tocantins, were analyzed. The results revealed deviations from the standards established for pH and dissolved oxygen by current legislation, as well as indications of fecal contamination. The sampling points exhibited evident signs of anthropogenic impacts. Despite its strategic location for the preservation of Brazilian biodiversity, the Lontra River has been affected by pollution over the past decades. The results suggest that the degradation of adjacent urban streams significantly contributes to the river's contamination, along with deforestation of the banks, damming, and the deposition of solid waste. These factors pose serious risks to the aquatic ecosystem and the health of those who depend on the waters of the Lontra River for recreational or subsistence activities. These results clearly highlight the need for effective environmental management and the implementation of public policies aimed at raising awareness and environmental education of the local population.

Published

2025-07-30

How to Cite

Miranda Soares, M. A., da Luz Silva, G. M., Bezerra Dias de Lima, L., Batista de Oliveira, F., da Silva feitosa, N., Ribeiro Júnior, J. C., & Estevan Moron, S. (2025). CHALLENGES TO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN NORTHERN TOCANTINS: THE IMPACT OF ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES ON THE WATER QUALITY OF LONTRA RIVER. DESAFIOS - Revista Interdisciplinar Da Universidade Federal Do Tocantins, 12(5). https://doi.org/10.20873/2025_jul_15914