RESUMO
Waters entering the small estuaries of the Brazilian north-east originate from drainage basins that cross semi-arid and tropical rainforest areas at various levels of use and conservation. Such rivers are often under heavy demand for water supply and other services, such as effluent dilution. The present study examines four consecutive years (2006-2009) of water quality-monitoring data divided by season (rainy and dry) just before the Goiana River enters its estuary. The environmental variables are largely controlled by rainfall patterns. The water temperatures are consistently above 25 °C, which impairs dissolved oxygen levels (3.1 to 6.7 mg L-1) and may suggest eutrophication. By contrast, biochemical oxygen demand, percentage O2 saturation and total phosphorous (which are eutrophication indicators) do not show non-compliant levels, according to local legislation. Although the monitoring stations surround a municipal centre, the estuary is downstream from this area, the main uses of which are artisanal fisheries, nature conservation, leisure and aquaculture. Therefore, continuous monitoring and long-term analysis of the resulting water quality are important.