Ramiro José Espinheira Martins
Water, because of its properties as a solvent and its capacity to transport particles, incorporates in itself various impurities that characterise the water quality. Water quality (result of): natural phenomena and acts of human beings. Surface water quality, affected by run off and infiltration resulting from rainfall. The impact: dependent on the contact of the water with particles, substances and impurities in the soil. Incorporation of SS (soil particles) or DS (ions from rocks dissolution) occurs even when the catchment area is totally preserved in its natural condition. The soil protection and composition have a great influence.