Free-living protozoa (ciliophora, excavata and amoebozoa) in two water sources for human supply in the municipality of Blumenau, SC

The knowledge of the diversity of free-living protozoa in aquatic ecosystems represents an important tool in environmental quality management. It has been widely used in studies evaluating the water quality of fresh-water sources with environmental variables. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the diversity of free-living protozoa in two water sources used as a public supply for human consumption in the municipality of Blumenau, SC, for 12 months. Water samples were collected monthly for analysis of environmental variables and for identification of organisms. In total, 39 taxa were recorded in P1 and P2, both in the readings performed on the day of collection and in the cultivation. In P1, 11 taxa were identified in the readings of the day of collection, and after reading the cultivation, 20 new taxa were recorded. P2 presented 12 taxa in the readings performed on the day of collection and 10 new taxa in the cultivations' readings. Ciliates were the most expressive group in the period, with 69.5% frequency in P1 and 66.1% in P2. The results of the environmental variables in conjunction with the survey of the free-living protozoa of P1 and P2 did not show marked differences between the points. Still, they contributed to the knowledge of the diversity of protozoa in aquatic environments.