Mapping environmental oil spill sensitivity of Santos estuarine systems, São Paulo state

Abstract

This study presents an Environmental Oil Spill Sensitivity Map of Santos Estuarine System located in São Paulo state. This map was designed following the procedures determined by the Brazilian Federal Environment Organ (Ministry of the Environment), which classifies coastal habitats in different Littoral Sensitivity Indexes (LSI) to oil spills. This methodology was associated to a Geographic Information System. The most habitats in this area of study are mangroves and mud banks considered the most sensitive coastal habitats to oil spills (LSI 10 and 9). We have also mapped sheltered solid man-made structures (LSI 8), sheltered rocky shores (LSI 8), and “restingas” (LSI 3). As result, we have designed sensitivity maps in two spatial scales (1:80.000 and 1:25.000) and a map suggesting priority protection areas and sacrifice areas. These maps can be used in response actions in oil spills scenarios, in Emergency Plan and environmental planning aiming to minimize oil spills impacts.