GEORREFERENTIATION OF THE RIO PIMENTA MICROBACIA IN SÃO LUÍS-MA. Assessment of Environmental Impacts in Urban Drainage Basins

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the recognition and mapping of the São Luís Hydrographic Basin, Rio Pimenta Microbasin, coastal environment of the Golfão Maranhense region, Brazil, using a methodological approach that included: (a) integrated analysis based on digital processing of images, Landsat-8 optics, for analyzing images from cartography, geology, hydrography, among others and elevation data from SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission); (b) geographic information system; and (c) field surveys related to the geomorphology, topography and morphometric analysis of the Pimenta River. The coastal environments, thus mapped, were grouped into four shapes: 01, the region of São Luís Island, the City of São Luís-MA and its sectors; Sector 2, covering coastal plateau, muddy tidal plain, fluvial plain, sandy tidal plain, macro-tide beaches; Sector 3, with mangroves, paleodunas and mixed tidal plains; and Sector 4, consisting of mobile dunes. In addition, low-tide deltas and sandy supramarid plains have also been recognized. Digital processing and visual analysis of images from remote orbital sensors, associated with the use of geographic information systems, proved to be effective in mapping tropical coastal areas, enabling the generation of products with good accuracy and cartographic precision.