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Land degradation assessment based on environmental geoindicators in the Fortaleza metropolitan region, state of Ceará, Brazil

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

This paper summarizes the results obtained by land degradation assessment in the Fortaleza Metropolitan Region, in the state of Ceará, Brazil. Area assessment was done in a two-phase study: the characterization of the environmental components by field and laboratory work, and a more detailed study in the degraded sites. Environmental geoindicators were used to classify the degradation level for each drainage basin as low, intermediate, or high. Coastal erosion, gravitational mass movements, dune movements, water erosion, sedimentation, water pollution, sanitary landfills in inappropriate sites, caves and abandoned mines of aggregates exploitation and occupation in swamp areas are the main land degradation sources registered in the region. Among the drainage basins for degradation level, 5 were classified as high, 3 as intermediate, and 4 as low. These problems have affected the people living in the region and demanded heavy investments to rehabilitate degraded areas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Geotecnia, Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, 400 Av Trabalhador São-Carlense, 13566–13590, São Carlos, Brasil

    L. V. Zuquette & O. J. Pejon

  2. CPRM, 60190–070, Fortaleza, Brasil

    J. Q. dos Santos Collares

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  1. L. V. Zuquette
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  2. O. J. Pejon
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  3. J. Q. dos Santos Collares
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Correspondence to L. V. Zuquette.

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Zuquette, L.V., Pejon, O.J. & dos Santos Collares, J.Q. Land degradation assessment based on environmental geoindicators in the Fortaleza metropolitan region, state of Ceará, Brazil. Env Geol 45, 408–425 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-003-0892-0

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