3. Material and methods

#### 3.1 Sampling

From 2011 to 2012, samplings were carried out every 2 months, with a total of six surveys (November 2011–September 2012) performed at five sampling sites. In those samplings, tide (ebb tide and spring tide) and season (dry and rainy seasons) were considered. The rainfall data were obtained from the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET). Physical and chemical parameters are described in Table 1, considering the Federal Legislation of Classification of Water Bodies (CONAMA 357/05) [30] and the Aquatic Life Protection Index (ALPI).


\*SMWW, standard methods for water and wastewater [31].

\*\*USEPA, United States Environmental Protection Agency.

\*\*\*LAS, linear alkylbenzene sulfonate.

#### Table 1.

Physiochemical parameters applied to the determination of the aquatic life protection index (ALPI) in Jansen lagoon, São Luís-Maranhão.

Phytoplankton Biomass and Environmental Descriptors of Water Quality of an Urban Lagoon DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.87955
