Riscos e impactos socioambientais da zona estuarina do baixo curso do rio Itapecuru, Maranhão

Abstract

The lower course of the Itapecuru River watershed, located in the state of Maranhão, constitutes a strategic system for environmental balance, water security, and regional socioeconomic development, playing a fundamental role in supplying the state capital, São Luís, and neighboring municipalities. This study aims to analyze the environmental and socioeconomic impacts resulting from the intensification of human activities in the region, with particular emphasis on the discharge of industrial and domestic effluents, the suppression of riparian vegetation, deforestation, and inappropriate land use. The research is based on a bibliographic review and the application of the SWOT matrix, used as an analytical tool to identify risks, vulnerabilities, strengths, and opportunities, relating the results to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The results reveal significant impacts, including degradation of riparian forests, water pollution, seasonal salinization, and impairment of the Italuís System, which is responsible for supplying the state capital. Scientific records on the watershed indicate the need for integrated public policies, effective environmental planning, and participatory management strategies aimed at protecting water resources and promoting sustainable practices aligned with the SDG targets. The adoption of such measures is essential for the conservation of the Itapecuru ecosystems and for ensuring the quality of life of riparian populations that directly depend on the river. The relevance of the lower course of the Itapecuru River extends beyond environmental aspects, encompassing biological, economic, and social dimensions, which reinforces the urgency of its conservation and sustainable management as an indispensable condition for the continuous and balanced development of local communities and the municipalities that rely on its waters for multiple uses.