RESEARCH OF TOTAL AND THERMOTOLERANT COLIFORMS IN THE GUAMÁ RIVER AROUND VER-O-PESO IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BELÉM-PA

Abstract

This article sought to quantify the presence of total and thermotolerant coliforms in the water of the Guamá river. This is a cross-sectional descriptive, quantitative study, carried out through the collection of three points of the Guamá River around Ver-O-Peso. The samples were analyzed in triplicate using the multiple tube technique expressed in the Most Probable Number, besides having been cultivated in solid media to search for bacteria, molds and yeasts. The analysis of the samples collected in the river verified the presence of bacteria within 24 hours of the presumptive phase, leading to the confirmatory phase that presented positive results for bacteria of the total and thermotolerant coliform group in 100% of the samples obtained from the three collection points, most of which presented values above 1.100 MPN/100mL. This bacterial growth was confirmed in solid medium, in addition to the presence of colonies characteristic of molds and yeasts. The water of the Guamá river around Ver-O-Peso can be considered unfit for drinking and bathing according to the current legislation for not meeting the established microbiological standards, it is urgent to solve the issue of sewage disposal directly into the river in order to promote sustainable management and preservation of water resources.