Comparison of different water sampling methods to quantify limnological variables in a lotic environment

Abstract This study evaluated water sampling methodologies for determining limnological variables in a cross section of the Catolé Grande River at different flow rates. Samples were collected at depths of 15-30 cm and compared with integrated samples. The variables of turbidity, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen and total coliforms were quantified. The results were compared, according to the different collection methodologies, using the statistical index, model efficiency, coefficient of determination, and linear regression analysis. There was little influence of the sampling methodologies in relation to turbidity, conductivity and total coliforms variables. For the pH variable, the sampling performed at 15-30 cm depth caused overestimation when compared to the integrated sample. Regarding the dissolved oxygen variable, the values obtained using 15-30 cm samples tend to overestimate when the concentrations are lower than 6.5 mg L-1;however, when the concentration is higher than this value, this type of sampling tends to underestimated when compared to values obtained using the integrated samples.