Space-seasonal variation of groundwater parameters used for human consumption in the city of Macapá, Amapá, Brazil

ABSTRACT The objective of this research is to evaluate the groundwater quality consumed in 52 residences in Macapá, Amapá, Brazil. Physical and chemical and microbiological parameters (pH, turbidity, color, Fe, NO3, Mn, Cl, NH3, Al, total coliforms, E. coli) and sanitary parameters (neighborhood, filter, well characteristics, water tank, sewage fate, distance from the well to the sinks, floods areas, diseases, etc.) were used in this quantification. Water samples were collected in the residences during the dry (November 2014) and wet (April-May 2015) periods. Statistical tests identified intense seasonal variation in the water quality (Mann-Whitney, p<0.05), but mean spatial variability (cluster analysis, p<0.05). In conclusion, the groundwater have damaged water quality, presenting a higher sanitary risk in the wet period and varying according to different sanitary parameters.