Environmental sensitivity mapping to oil spill and response actions for shoreline and portuary zone of Imbituba, SC, Brazil

Abstract

Environmental Sensitivity Index maps (ESI) have been produced for the shoreline of Imbituba, located in the southern coast of Santa Catarina State, Brazil, in the scales of 1:50,000 and 1:10,000. Adequate cleanup procedures were selected and indicated for each coastal segment identified, in accordance to expected oil behavior in each one. The study area comprises an important environmental protection area for right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) reproduction. The ESI maps include information for three main components: sensitive biological resources, human-uses resources and shoreline habitats. Data of biological resources and some human-use information were obtained from an integrated project named Environmental Sensitivity Index Maps of Santos Sedimentary Marine Basin. Shoreline habitats data were obtained in field survey. Methodology applied was that proposed by the Brazilian Environment Ministry (MMA), adapted from the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA), with the aid of remote sensing and geographical information system (SIG). Twenty segments were identified in the study area, comprising 15 km of shoreline. Only 6 different ESI were identified, with the most representative in extension being the ESI 3 (dissipative exposed beaches).