GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN CEMETERIES AREA IN CUIABÁ – MT
Abstract
This research describes the results of physicochemical, chemical and bacterium analyses of two
cemeteries in Cuiabá metropolitan aerea: São Gonçalo and Parque Bom Jesus. The aim of this work is to investigate the
environmental impacts on the groundwaters due to the location of cemeteries in urban areas. Periodical water samples were
analised from wells implanted in the cemeteries areas. The results of the physicochemical, bacterium and chemical analyses
allowed to conclude that: 1. Groundwater in that specific cemeteries do not show high concentrations of nitrogen compound
(nitrate, nitrite and ammonia) and metals. 2. The presence of the cemiteries contributed to elevate the electric conductivity in
the groundwaters which is probably due to the process of corpse decomposition “necrochorume”, which increases the
concentration of dissolved salts in the groundwaters. 3. The cemeteries contribute to elevate the total ion concentrations
(total dissolved solids) in the groundwaters, suggesting the “necrochorume” influence to the increase of mineral
concentration. 4. The presence of Salmonella in the groundwaters of the two cemeteries was also detected. The data obtainedin this study emphasize the danger to human health represented by the contamination of groundwaters in areas of cemeteries.