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Brazil's first underwater tunnel promises greater mobility for the region, but it has serious environmental impacts. By deforesting mangroves and protected areas of the Atlantic Forest, the project threatens marine life and compromises air and water quality, worrying experts and local residents.
The project of the first Brazil's underwater tunnel, planned to connect the cities of Santos and Guarujá, arouses a lot of curiosity and hope for improving local mobility.
But behind this major infrastructure project, which promises to be a solution for traffic in the region, there is an environmental and social price that worries experts and residents..
The impacts range from the deforestation of protected areas of the Atlantic Forest to the risk of contamination of coastal waters, threatening marine life and even tourism.
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Environmental impact and deforestation
As detailed in the Environmental Impact Report (Rima) prepared by the Economic Research Institute Foundation (FIPE) at the request of the State Government, the construction of the tunnel foresees the deforestation of 105 thousand square meters of Atlantic Forest, including mangroves and restinga vegetation in different stages of preservation.
This number is equivalent to approximately ten football fields. and includes 44 thousand square meters of mangrove, which will be filled, including areas within the Serra de Santo Amaro Environmental Protection Area (APA).
In this location, it will be necessary to deforest 3.640 square meters of mangrove, which worries environmentalists due to the importance of these ecosystems for biodiversity and coastal protection.
O Coastal Diary highlights that, in addition to the removal of native vegetation, the work may affect the feeding of green turtles (Chelonia mydas), especially young animals, which depend on the availability of algae.
The risk increases as the project progresses and could harm the sustainability of several marine species in the region.
Risk to marine life
In addition to the impact on vegetation, the work will have serious implications for marine fauna.
According to FIPE, the construction will increase the turbidity of the water in the Estuary due to the dredging of the sea floor, which will suspend contaminated sediments, including heavy metals dumped by industries in Cubatão over decades.
This movement puts the bathing suitability of Santos beaches and the health of the animals that inhabit the region at risk..
The increase in turbidity, according to the Coastal Diary, It also increases the risk of collisions between porpoises, dolphins and whales with vessels., since reduced visibility makes it difficult for these animals to navigate safely.
For tourists and locals, the project poses an indirect threat to ecotourism, as contact with marine life and environmental preservation are attractions in the region.
Tunnel and the problems of pollution and dust
Another point of concern highlighted in Rima is the levels of air and water pollution that may increase with construction.
The document explains that the work will generate a significant amount of suspended dust due to excavations, demolitions and transportation of materials.
Furthermore, the use of asphalt and chemical mixtures for paving access roads will increase the emission of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), pollutants that directly affect air quality in Santos and Guarujá.
O Coastal Diary points out that the noise and vibrations of the machines may be felt in the vicinity of the construction site, impacting the tranquility and quality of life of residents in nearby neighborhoods.
FIPE also warns that these noises can cause subsidence in neighboring properties., generating structural damage and concerns for the local population.
Groundwater contamination
FIPE warns about the risk of contamination of the region's water table, a problem that can have long-term effects on the environment and public health.
According to the report, the sediments removed during the dredging process and installation of the tunnel's concrete modules contain heavy materials that can penetrate the soil and compromise groundwater quality.
The possibility of contamination of the water table is an aspect that Cetesb, the body responsible for environmental licensing, will have to monitor rigorously throughout the work.
According to Coastal Diary, this risk is a cause for concern not only for environmental protection agencies, but also for the population that uses groundwater for domestic consumption.
Interruption of port activities
During the construction stages, traffic in the Estuary Channel will be partially closed.
The tunnel project includes the installation of cellular modules and backfilling to ensure the safety of the structure.
However, This temporary interruption may affect port logistics, requiring cargo to be redirected to other ports in the Southeast and South of Brazil.
According to Coastal Diary, this redistribution can generate extra costs for companies and interfere with the work routine at the port of Santos, one of the busiest in the country.
Future of the work and ongoing analyses
The Environmental Impact Report prepared by FIPE brings together nine experts, including engineers, biologists, sociologists and geologists.
The document is still being analyzed by Cetesb, which carries out public consultations and receives contributions to assess the environmental conditions of the work.
In note, The State Secretariat for Investment Partnerships stated that “the environmental impact studies related to the Santos-Guarujá Tunnel are being analyzed by Cetesb within the scope of the public consultation, based on the contributions received in the hearings and recent updates to the project”.
In the face of controversies and environmental concerns, the Santos-Guarujá tunnel raises the question: To what extent is it worth sacrificing natural resources and compromising marine life and the health of the population to ensure improvements in infrastructure?
What other alternatives could meet the region’s mobility needs without compromising the ecosystem?
BIG FAKE NEWS!
Just search on the internet where the tunnel will go (spoiler: there are cities on both sides of the canal). There is no more nature there to preserve. It's just a left-handed thing, who wants to see SP go sideways...
I agree with you….very biased article!
Very much, baseless stuff, this footage means nothing compared to the size of the Atlantic forest, besides it is the same as a small scratch on your skin, with possible scarring.
It's...just like your Portuguese!!!!!
Stop being ****!
HEALING and not “scarring”.
No 🌻 exists with “s”…lol
Perfect. Just knowing the region is enough to know that the mangroves are not part of the port channel where the tunnel will pass, nor is there any marine life, since the channel is full of mud and the invasive African snail brought in the ships' ballast. The left wants to keep everyone equally poor and ****.
If your problem is Tarcísio, if you run for governor of São Paulo, if you are elected… then you govern your way. And stop whining.
If Tarcísio was elected governor of SP without knowing Paulista Avenue/beaches in the northern region, he didn't even remember where the address where he lived in Campos de J.
If I had the mountain of money that Jair plundered from the public treasury, I guarantee I would get elected and would even do better. I wouldn't privatize Sabesp, I wouldn't sell public schools.
I don't know the place, I'm from far away, but every time they talk about destroying nature I get very sad. Forgive me if I've stuck my nose in where I don't know.
You made it clear that you don't know the place in question. But I think you're right to be concerned and how you expressed it.
There is no longer any ecosystem that could be harmed. The publication is truly ****. The tunnel starts on one side of the estuary of the port of Santos and on the other side is simply the other side in Guarujá. There is no longer any forest area in the place. They are completely urban.
Another paranoid person. Gil, I'm astonished at where they're taking this comment. Even though the publication isn't bringing up the political issue for discussion, one or two observations could be made. But to come in clueless, like you did. Sick. Seek help, Gil, don't let this get to your home and your family.
This information leads us to the idea that the Brazilian media is uto****.
Another FAKE NEWS This guy doesn't know the project there won't be any
deforestation
I agree with the left-handed people always walking backwards,
Shut up
And do you happen to know what communism is? If so, please explain.
This article is very unfortunate, on the opposite side of the Santos pier and only favelas pollute everything there, this author of the article really doesn't know anything about the reality of the place.
Go and visit the favela so you can better understand what you're talking about.
Oh Edson Antunes, why are you positioning yourself like that? It has nothing to do with the subject. I can only give you a ZERO. You really showed yourself to be a great Manezão, but what are you really talking about?
But these left-wing **** don't count how much diesel will be saved by the ferries that emit a lot of smoke!!!!!!!!!
I am not aware, for discussion of the topic, just for the sake of argument, there are so many bridges that connect cities, e.g. Rio/Niteroi, is there really a need to build an underwater tunnel?
Yes, because a bridge in such a narrow passage with so much movement of ships would have to have a very high free span, which would cause much more impact on both cities, as the access ramps would be a long way to reach the bridge... look for more information...
You know Santos-SP, the tunnel is the best solution and will not destroy any forest, all the mangroves that existed were destroyed by the favelas more than 40 years ago. There is no forest where the tunnel will be built, this article is a lie.
Bah
Living in Brazil means being among those who believe that we should not have left the ice age, such is the retrograde vision of certain unemployed environmentalists with no perspective of looking a meter in front of their eyes.
Deforestation is another crime against nature ****.
Do you live in the woods like Indians??? What evolution??? Open your mind!!
The problem is that throughout Brazil, the government never sees a project for public transportation; it is always for private cars. This overcrowds the streets and avenues of the cities. This tunnel will be like other projects that, despite doing more harm than good, give visibility to the government that starts the project and to the one that inaugurates it.
Oh, right. Will the planned VLT serve private car drivers? Of course, because it will drop them off at home…