Bacteriological quality of groundwater in cermiteries

Groundwater samples collected by piezometers from three cemiteries in geologically distinct areas of S. Paulo and Santos, Brazil, were analysed in order to determine their hygienic and sanitary conditions. Fecal coliformes, fecal streptococci, sulfite reducer clostridia and Salmonella were searched...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Martins, Maria Therezinha, Pellizari, Vivian H., Pacheco, Alberto, Myaki, Débora M., Adams, Cristina, Bossolan, Nelma R. S., Mendes, José M. B., Hassuda, Seiju
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:1991
País:Brasil
Institución:Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
Repositorio:Revista de Saúde Pública
Idioma:portugués
OAI Identifier:oai:revistas.usp.br:article/23793
Acceso en línea:https://www.revistas.usp.br/rsp/article/view/23793
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Águas subterrâneas^i1^sanál
Contaminação bacteriológica da água^i1^sanál
Práticas mortuárias
Ground water^i2^sanaly
Bacteriological water contamination
Mortuary practices
Descripción
Sumario:Groundwater samples collected by piezometers from three cemiteries in geologically distinct areas of S. Paulo and Santos, Brazil, were analysed in order to determine their hygienic and sanitary conditions. Fecal coliformes, fecal streptococci, sulfite reducer clostridia and Salmonella were searched for the purpose of evaluating sanitary conditions, and total coliforms, heterotrophic bacteria, proteolitic and lipoli-tic microorganisms for evaluating hygienic conditions. In some samples, nitrate levels were also determined. It was discovered that these waters do not present adequate sanitary and higienic conditions and that, in some cases, nitrate levels were extremelly high (75.7 mg/l). In most samples, higher levels of fecal streptococci and sufite reducer clostridia than fecal coliforms were detected, which seems to show that the two former indicators would be more appropriate for evaluating the sanitary conditions of this kind of water. Salmonella were detected in only one of 44 samples analysed and coliphages in none. In the stastistical analysis, the correlation matrix showed significant correlations among three fecal pollution indicators, as well as among anaerobic and aerobic heterotrophs and lipolitic bacteria. A direct relationship between the deterioration of water quality and the geological and hydrogeological conditions of the environment studied was observed. When cemiteries are constructed these conditions should, therefore, be taken into consideration.