GIS-based environmental risk assessment in the Ribeira Valley, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Autor(es)

Filippini-Alba, Jose Maria ^[1] ; de Souza Filho, Carlos Roberto ^[2]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Brazilian Agr Res Corp, Ctr Temperate Climate Agr Res, BR-96001970 Pelotas, RS - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Geosci, Dept Geol & Nat Resources, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES; v. 59, n. 5, p. 1139-1147, JAN 2010.
• Citações Web of Science: 2

Resumo

The Ribeira Valley region (State of Sao Paulo, Brazil) hosts the largest Brazilian Atlantic forest reserve. The region was an important mineral district during the `60s, from where several tons of lead and other metals were exploited. Residual materials produced by the mining are diffused in the environment until today. The area also encompasses a regional arsenium anomaly associated with unexplored gold deposits. The population presently living in this region performs basic farming activities, from which most of their food is yielded. These features coupled together imply in a complex relationship between natural and anthropogenic factors that are likely to affect the life and health of the local communities. The aim of this paper is to apply digital data integration techniques for environmental risk assessment in the Ribeira Valley using environmental geochemistry. Geochemical, digital elevation and remote sensing data (Landsat Thematic Mapper) were merged and analyzed using a geographical information system. The assumed model considered environmental mobilization through erosion and anomalous As-Pb areas. Data were analyzed through Boolean and fuzzy logic techniques. Fuzzy logic proved superior in this case study as it allowed not only the detection but also the distinction between low, moderate and high environmental risk areas. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 02/13341-6 - Integracao de dados geoquimicas e composicao de um sistema de informacoes ambientais georreferenciadas no vale do ribeira.
• Beneficiário: José Maria Filippini Alba
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado