Evaluation of the influence of geomorphological features in environmental sensitivity to oil spills: case study of Rio Araquá - SP

Abstract

The Letters of Environmental Sensitivity of Oil Spills constitute important tools for contingency planning and evaluation of damage caused by oil spills. Currently, due to the intense use of petroleum and its derivatives by man, the risks with accidents involving oil spills into the oceans and rivers have become increasingly larger. Thus, the main objective of this research is to assist with the assessment of environmental sensitivity to oil of rivers through the identification of the geomorphological characteristics origin of fluvial geomorphology of the area. In Brazil, studies related to the topic turned to the coastal environment because of the breadth of accidents at these locations. However, the riverine environments should also be carefully considered because many watercourses are located near roads, industries, cities, and nearby pipelines carrying oil, which can cause a high vulnerability. Using the aerial photographs, we intend to perform the identification and detailed mapping of the geomorphology of fluvial origin in the region in order to identify the level of environmental sensitivity to oil these features. The completion of an environmental sensitivity mapping from geomorphological parameters contributes to the production of letters SAO, which will assist in containment and cleanup procedures in the event of accidents in fluvial and terrestrial environments. The area selected for the study corresponds to Araquá River, located in the municipality of São Pedro, in the state of São Paulo. This river presents itself as an interesting area of study due to the presence of erosive processes of great intensity, which can generate a high sensitivity to the oil in river environments, due to the constant sediment deposits in valley bottoms, which can merge the oil, and a possible accident, hindering cleanup actions. (AU)