Ameaças ambientais na região portuária de Vila do Conde (Barcarena-PA): estudo físico-químico e microbiológico de potenciais impactos a qualidade da água do rio Pará, aplicação do método FMEA e concepção de mapa de risco

Abstract

Water resources located near port areas are subject to so-called "technological environmental risks," which require constant monitoring. The Vila do Conde Port, located in the municipality of Barcarena, Pará, has been affected by several environmental accidents capable of harming the Pará River, into which it discharges. Therefore, it is essential to assess the risks associated with activities carried out in the region and their impact on the natural conditions of this water body, as well as on the livelihoods of surrounding communities. This study aimed to evaluate the water quality of the Pará River by analyzing physicochemical, microbiological, and metal concentration parameters, seeking to identify possible changes related to previous environmental accidents. Historical data from the Evandro Chagas Institute (2013–2023), along with new sample collections and analyses, were used. Based on the environmental accidents recorded in the region, the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) methodology was applied, resulting in the creation of a risk map. The activities included bibliographic research, sample collection, laboratory analyses, and the application of FMEA, which consisted of identifying potential and actual accidents, characterizing the associated risks, their effects (parameter changes), causes, and classifying the impacts according to severity, frequency of occurrence, ease of detection, and extent—culminating in the calculation of the Risk Priority Number (RPN). Based on the RPN, it was possible to categorize the risks, propose mitigation measures, and identify the most recurrent and critical hazards. The risk map highlighted the Curuperé and Dendê rivers as areas of high environmental risk, both with an RPN of 36, demonstrating the vulnerability of these systems. The results showed that several parameters—such as pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, color, nitrate, thermotolerant coliforms, aluminum, barium, cadmium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, lead, and zinc—exceeded the Maximum Permitted Values (MPV) established by CONAMA Resolution No. 357/2005. These findings indicate that, despite its large size and flow, the Pará River is already undergoing environmental degradation. Regarding population vulnerability, it was observed that nearby communities have been consistently impacted by regional accidents, whether due to water scarcity, the inability to perform daily subsistence activities such as hunting and fishing, the emergence of diseases, or frequent displacements that contribute to the loss of cultural identity.