ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS’ DIAGNOSIS OF THE RIVER MIRINZAL IN THE WESTERN NORTHEAST COAST OF MARANHÃO

Abstract

The research diagnosed the environmental conditions of the significant river Mirinzal which attends the municipality Apicum-Açu's population on the western northeast coast of Maranhão. The realization of this investigation enables the broad recognition of the importance of this river to the local population as well as reveals the main problems that affect the environmental water, soil, vegetation, and fauna conditions. It was accomplished a wide bibliographic revision related to the theme and most importantly the federal, state, and municipal legislative documents about the superficial hydric resources, "in loco" visits for observations, photographic records, and interviews with residents close to the high, medium and low curse of the river. The investigation apprehended the existence of negative impacts in diverse locals, such as erosion, deforestation, silting, pollution, and reduced flow of the water body caused by intense human activities, however, it was also registered in varied points areas in positive states of preservation. The research also presents suggestions of action and management to the reversion of the degradation state in the Mirinzal river, so that it will be guaranteed to the future apicum-açuense generations the maintenance of this significant course of water to the municipality and its total population.