Recursos hídricos e desenvolvimento urbano: um estudo de caso sobre a unidade de conservação parque do cortado na região administrativa de Taguatinga - Distrito Federal

Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate the environmental impacts on the Conservation Unit of the Cortado Stream Ecological Park, located in the Administrative Region of Taguatinga, Federal District, as a result of accelerated urban development. The research sought to identify, analyze, and propose solutions to the environmental problems affecting water quality, ecosystem integrity, and the stability of the permanent preservation areas (APPs) associated with the Cortado Stream. The adopted methodology included an approach that combined literature review, field study, and the application of the Adapted Leopold Matrix. Initially, a detailed literature review was conducted to understand the main challenges faced by urbanized areas involving water bodies, focusing on erosion processes, sedimentation, and water pollution. Subsequently, monitoring campaigns were carried out along the Cortado Stream during different seasonal periods (dry and rainy) to collect data on water quality, including physicochemical parameters such as pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total nitrogen, total phosphorus, turbidity, among others. The analysis of the collected data revealed that the areas near the stream experience significant pressures due to uncontrolled urbanization, which contributed to increased soil impermeability and the pollutant load of stormwater. During the rainy season, a higher concentration of pollutants was observed, resulting in higher turbidity levels and the presence of thermotolerant coliforms, suggesting that stormwater acts as a significant contamination vector. Additionally, accelerated erosion and sediment deposition processes were identified, altering the stream's morphology and threatening the stability of the slopes. To systematically assess the impacts, the Adapted Leopold Matrix was applied, which allowed for the classification of impacts in terms of magnitude and importance. The results indicated that the main impacts include the deposition of solid waste, the absence of adequate stormwater dissipators, and evidence of fires, all contributing to the environmental degradation of the Conservation Unit. The analysis showed that most impacts are of high magnitude, requiring urgent interventions to prevent the worsening of environmental conditions. As part of the mitigation strategies, this study suggests the implementation of bioengineering techniques to stabilize slopes and improve urban drainage infrastructure. The construction of a retention basin, which is already in the implementation phase, is a necessary measure to buffer the initial pollution from precipitation and prevent the transport of sediments and pollutants to the stream. In conclusion, this study provides a detailed understanding of the environmental impacts in the Cortado Stream Ecological Park area and proposes practical solutions for the recovery and preservation of this urban ecosystem. The application of the Adapted Leopold Matrix has proven to be an effective tool for identifying and prioritizing impacts to be mitigated, providing a solid basis for the formulation of public policies and conservation actions aimed at the sustainability of the Conservation Unit and the improvement of the quality of life in the Taguatinga region.