Riparian communities in the Amazon suffer from water-borne diseases due to the lack of adequate water treatment capabilities. Therefore, small local water treatment plants are necessary, but the selection of treatment procedures depends largely on the physico-chemical characteristics of the water. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the physico-chemical characteristics of the water in the Amazon River and its tributaries, in order to determine customized processes for water treatment. Data from 54 fluviometric monitoring stations were organized and used to construct distribution maps. The parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, and the concentration of suspended matter, turbidity and flow rates were evaluated. Results showed that pH was very acidic (4-5) in the northwestern portion of the region while conductivity was quite low in the entire Amazonian region (<140 μS cm-1). Both parameters were strongly influenced by geological settings and sources of organic matter. Suspended matter and turbidity were affected by weathering processes. It was concluded that considering the acidity of the waters, mechanical procedures like filtration or slow settling should be applied to remove suspended matter rather than chemical procedures. For disinfection, instead of chemicals, solar energy should be applied.

中文翻译：

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亚马逊地区水质的空间分布：对饮用水处理程序的影响。

由于缺乏足够的水处理能力，亚马逊河沿岸社区患有水传播疾病。因此，当地的小型水处理厂是必要的，但是处理程序的选择很大程度上取决于水的理化特性。本研究的目的是评估亚马孙河及其支流中水的物理化学特性，以便确定定制的水处理工艺。组织了来自54个流量监测站的数据，并将其用于构建分布图。评估了诸如pH，电导率，悬浮物浓度，浊度和流速等参数。结果表明，该地区西北部的pH值很强（4-5），而整个亚马逊地区的电导率却很低（<140μScm-1）。这两个参数都受到地质环境和有机物来源的强烈影响。悬浮物和浊度受风化过程影响。结论是，考虑到水的酸度，应采用机械程序（例如过滤或缓慢沉降）去除悬浮物，而不是化学程序。为了消毒，应使用太阳能代替化学药品。结论是，考虑到水的酸度，应采用机械程序（例如过滤或缓慢沉降）去除悬浮物，而不是化学程序。为了消毒，应使用太阳能代替化学药品。结论是，考虑到水的酸度，应采用机械程序（例如过滤或缓慢沉降）去除悬浮物，而不是化学程序。为了消毒，应使用太阳能代替化学药品。