Environmental perception of riverine people on pollution and water quality of the middle Tocantins river, Maranhão

Abstract

The Tocantins River is crucial for the sustenance of the population in Maranhão; however, despite its significance, the region grapples with environmental degradation due to rapid urban growth. Issues such as deforestation of slopes, intense exploitation of fishery resources, air and water pollution, siltation, dredging, and lack of sanitation contribute to this concern. The study aimed to investigate the environmental perception of riverside dwellers regarding the water quality in the middle Tocantins River through structured questionnaire surveys. Conducted between August and December 2023, the research involved 50 respondents, employing a multimethod approach to integrate quantitative and qualitative data. The affected population comprised riverside families in four questionnaire application points along the middle Tocantins River (P1: Beira Rio – urban area, P2: Bananal village, P3: Embiral village, and P4: Cidelândia village). Notably, 88% of the participants had resided in the area for over 10 years. Additionally, 34% consumed and traded native fish, 62% used them solely for personal consumption, and 4% did not consume them. Furthermore, 84% of participants reported a lack of sewage systems in their residences, underscoring the importance of fishery resources and river water for this population.