1
|
Teixeira de Mello F, Sierra P, Moi DA, Alonso J, Lucas C, Suárez B, Alvareda E, Alvarez J, Andrade MS, Arimon L, Urtado L, Piperno A. Effects of urbanization and accessibility to sanitation services on water quality in urban streams in Uruguay. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:185. [PMID: 38253943 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12365-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The world's urban population is growing rapidly, and threatening natural ecosystems, especially streams. Urbanization leads to stream alterations, increased peak flow frequencies, and reduced water quality due to pollutants, morphological changes, and biodiversity loss, known as the urban stream syndrome. However, a shift towards recognizing urban streams as valuable natural systems is occurring, emphasizing green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. This study in Uruguay examined water quality in various watersheds with different urbanization levels and socio-environmental characteristics along a precipitation gradient. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and in situ data, we assessed physicochemical parameters, generated territorial variables, and identified key predictors of water quality. We found that urbanization, particularly urban areas, paved areas, and populations without sanitation, significantly influenced water quality parameters. These factors explained over 50% of the variation in water quality indicators. However, the relationship between urbanization and water quality was non-linear, with abrupt declines after specific urban intensity thresholds. Our results illustrate that ensuring sanitation networks and managing green areas effectively are essential for preserving urban stream water quality. This research underscores the importance of interdisciplinary teams and localized data for informed freshwater resource management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franco Teixeira de Mello
- Departamento de Ecología y Gestión Ambiental, Universidad de la República, CURE Tacuarembó, 20100, Maldonado, Uruguay.
| | - Pablo Sierra
- Instituto de Estudios Urbanos y Territoriales, Facultad de Arquitectura Diseño y Urbanismo, Universidad de la República, Br. Artigas, 1031, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Dieison A Moi
- Laboratory of Multitrophic Interactions and Biodiversity, Department of Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Jimena Alonso
- Instituto de Mecánica de Fluidos e Ingeniería Ambiental, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de La República, J. Herrera y Reissig 565, C.P, 11200, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Christine Lucas
- Laboratorio de Ecología Fluvial, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Paysandú, Uruguay
| | - Bárbara Suárez
- Departamento de Ecología y Gestión Ambiental, Universidad de la República, CURE Tacuarembó, 20100, Maldonado, Uruguay
| | - Elena Alvareda
- Departamento del Agua, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Jimena Alvarez
- Instituto de Estudios Urbanos y Territoriales, Facultad de Arquitectura Diseño y Urbanismo, Universidad de la República, Br. Artigas, 1031, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Soledad Andrade
- Laboratorio Química Ambiental, Área de Gestión Ambiental, Comisión Técnica Mixta de Salto Grande, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Lucia Arimon
- Instituto de Estudios Urbanos y Territoriales, Facultad de Arquitectura Diseño y Urbanismo, Universidad de la República, Br. Artigas, 1031, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Urtado
- Departamento de Ecología y Gestión Ambiental, Universidad de la República, CURE Tacuarembó, 20100, Maldonado, Uruguay
| | - Adriana Piperno
- Instituto de Estudios Urbanos y Territoriales, Facultad de Arquitectura Diseño y Urbanismo, Universidad de la República, Br. Artigas, 1031, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| |
Collapse
|