Integration of environmental assessment models: A study of the impact on urban micro-watersheds in the Amazon-Brazil

Abstract

The micro-watershed of the Ouricuri river stands out for serving a large portion of the local population, however, the lack of sanitation, construction in permanent preservation areas, the release of effluents, and other high-impact activities influence the maintenance of the local ecosystem. The study aimed to promote the integration of environmental assessment methodologies such as Rapid Protocol for Environmental Assessment (RPEA) and interpolation by the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) method to evaluate the impact to which the study area is subject. The integration of techniques enabled to verify that the points P9 and P10 are in anoxic conditions, with values 60% below what is recommended by Resolution N° 357/05 of CONAMA for class 2 water, and the other points varying between high and moderate environmental risk, with emphasis on Points P4 and P5, corresponding to the Ouricuri River, where the situation requires greater attention. The Total Impact in the study area suggests that the Ouricuri micro-watershed needs immediate intervention, as in the sections of the Ouricuri River located in the commercial center and its tributaries, which are smaller streams, there is great pressure from the municipal sanitation system and buildings in protected areas, promoting serious changes to the local ecosystem and consequently to people's health.