River quality analysis using fuzzy water quality index: Ribeira do Iguape river watershed, Brazil

Intrinsic uncertainties and subjectivities of environmental problems have been increasingly dealt by using computation methods based on artificial intelligence. in order to evaluate this tool's applicability, this study proposed the creation of a new water quality index based on fuzzy logic, the fuzzy water quality index (FWQI). The performance of the index proposed in the present work is assessed through a comparison with several water quality indices (WQIs) suggested in the literature, using data from hydrographic Surveys of the Ribeira de Iguape River, in the southwestern part do Sao Paulo State, Brazil, from 2004 to 2006. The index was reasonably close to the other indices and showed a good correlation with the WQI traditionally calculated in Brazil. This new index may also be used as an alternative tool for decision-making in environmental management. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.