Análise da sensibilidade ambiental do litoral de Paraty (Estado do Rio Janerio, Brasil) a potenciais derramamentos de óleo.

Abstract

The present study aims to understand the degree of environmental sensitivity in the coastal region of Paraty (State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) to potential oil spill events and their consequences for the region’s ecosystems. Six field evaluations were carried out for the morphological and sedimentary characterization of six beaches in Paraty, as well as mapping activities of the coastal environments in order to apply a coastal sensitivity index (CSI) to oil spill events. As a result, the following oil pollution CSIs were computed: CSI 1 and 2, attributed to lowand high-slope rocky shores, respectively, located along inlets and islands; CSI 4, for the beaches of Taquari, Prainha and São Gonçalinho; CSI 5, for the beaches of Jabaquara (south sector), Barra de Corumbê and São Gonçalo; CSI 6, for talus deposits and rockfill and, CSI 10, corresponding to mangrove areas. The environmental sensitivity study points to the existence of different vulnerability levels along the coastal region that can be used to assess Paraty’s oil pollution susceptibility which is of relevance from the perspective of marine ecosystems and the development of economic activities such as tourism and fishing.