Impactos ambientais da indústria de cerâmica vermelha em Itapecuru- Mirim/MA

Abstract

Minerals play an essential role in humanity, and the mining industry is recognized as a driver of economic development because minerals are indispensable natural resources that provide raw materials for various industries. Clay, since ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Middle East to Roman and Islamic cultures, is the primary mineral in the production of red ceramics. Ceramic products made from clay, such as bricks and tiles, are widely used today due to their quality and durability. Clay extraction, often carried out with backhoes, alters the landscape where it occurs, causing various environmental impacts. In Brazil, the red ceramic industry is traditional and produces approximately 63.6 billion pieces annually, with a consumption of around 140 megatons of clay. In the municipality of Itapecuru-Mirim/MA, 21 companies stand out in mining and red ceramic production, with millions of monthly pieces, being one of the largest producers in the state. The research aims to analyze the red ceramic industry in the municipality, aiming for a balance between the development of economic activity and the maintenance of natural resources, and to propose measures to mitigate related impacts, based on the relationship established from the Geosystem and the mapping carried out, as well as field activities. It was found that the impacts include deforestation without reforestation, degradation of springs, degradation of drainage by artificial lakes, degradation of water bodies and permanent preservation areas, potential for the development of respiratory diseases, corruption, and lack of oversight. There is also a history of the appropriation of public lands, underreporting of the quantity produced to pay fewer compensation taxes, continuous deforestation in other areas not previously delimited, the disuse of filters in chimneys, and the illegal use of electricity. A scenario of degradation was observed that significantly interferes with the dynamics of the natural environment of the locality in question, requiring the strengthening of public oversight bodies and environmental management in companies