Marine Pollution and Socioeconomic Vulnerability in Brazilian Coastal Cities

Abstract

The article aims to analyze the socioeconomic vulnerability of Brazilian coastal municipalities as a result of coastal polluting agents.This quantitative research has an exploratory nature, as it was dedicated to the development of socioeconomic indicators to assess vulnerability to the adverse effects of issues related to coastal and marine pollution in Brazilian coastal municipalities. To this end, secondary data compiled from several organizations with publicly available information were used and, with the support of a legal framework, the analysis platform was structured.The effects of polluting elements in the Brazilian coastal region are driven by local social and environmental determinants that have significant impacts on economic variables. When analyzing the effects of exposure to coastal and marine polluting agents (Vulnerability, Production Value and Active Links), the 59 Brazilian cities examined were impacted in their social structure, especially those that face recurring health problems, such as environmentally adequate disposal of waste, access to sewage services and per capita production of polluting waste. These issues elevated the North and Northeast regions to high levels within the parameters described. The study at the theoretical level proposed to present an indicator for imminent vulnerabilities in coastal areas, mainly the risks related to solid waste produced in these environments, revealing probable threats linked to environmental and marine pollution, in addition to assisting in the implementation of actions at governance levels public initiative to co-create resilience strategies for coastal communities, acting as an important instrument for their continuity.