Análise dos impactos ambientais e riscos à saúde humana provenientes dos derramamentos de óleo ocorridos no litoral do nordeste entre 2019 e 2022

Abstract

The oil spills that affected Northeast and Southeast of Brazil from 2019 to 2022 persist as a significant environmental challenge, raising concerns about lasting impacts. The environmental disaster first occurred in August 2019 and has seen resurgences in the years since. With impacts covering more than 3,000 kilometers of coastline, spreading across approximately 11 states and 55 protected areas, it has been characterized as the largest environmental accident to have occurred in Brazil and in coastal regions. This research aims to assess Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) contamination through a methodology for collecting and analyzing water and sediment samples at six distinct locations along the coastline of Ceará, considering current legislation on contaminants and weighing up the response actions applied by the government to mitigate the effects. Results revealed significant concentrations, indicating the gravity of contamination. Persistent health and economic consequences are observed in marine ecosystems and local communities. Government delays in action highlight failures in addressing environmental crises, emphasizing the need for effective responses and urging a review of environmental policy implementation. The study adds to the understanding of the challenges faced and comprehension of the significance of effective environmental governance.