UMA ANÁLISE ESPACIAL DO DESCARTE IRREGULAR DE RESÍDUOS SÓLIDOS NO MUNICÍPIO DE SÃO LUÍS-MA

The irregular disposal of solid waste in urban areas of Brazilian cities poses a threat to the environment and human health worldwide. In the cities of Maranhao, this logic is no different. This study aimed to analyze the presence of solid waste in the city of Sao Luis. A survey of census tracts of the 2010 Census of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) was performed. The data was spatially represented by Qgis software version 2.14.0. Similarly, satellite images were used. Such images were vectorized Google Earth™ software. On-site visits to waste disposal areas were also made. The results gathered with the collected data showed irregular disposal of solid waste in the urban perimeter of the city. Therefore, it was possible to prove that geoprocessing is an important tool to assist public administrators in decision-making process concerning solid waste management in the city. Finally, it was confirmed that environmental education has to be intensified in order to protect the environment and improve the quality of life.