Abstract We present this manuscript as a methodological approach and general guidelines for geochemical mapping and background/baseline projects for environmental assessment in tropical areas. A case study was carried out in the Itacaiúnas River watershed (IRW), Eastern Amazon, to fill in a gap in knowledge on the distribution of chemical elements, particularly those potentially toxic, in the near-surface environment of the area. The high-impact results of this research project revealed the need for similar scientific investigation across the globe with the implementation of a systematic methodology. The study shows, for example, the importance of well-planned field activities, multi-medium sampling, analytical methods, laboratory procedures, database construction, and general aspects of data processing and statistical treatment. The importance of this contribution is that it can be used as a reference in support of geospatial analysis in research within the scope of geochemical mapping and background-baseline projects. The database is accessible through a web-based geographic information system front-end; a Geochemical Atlas of the IRW will be available as soon as possible. backgroundbaseline background baseline areas IRW, , (IRW) Amazon elements toxic nearsurface near surface area highimpact high impact methodology shows example wellplanned well planned activities multimedium multi medium sampling methods procedures construction treatment webbased web based frontend front end front-end possible (IRW

A importância do monitoramento ambiental é medida pelos vários casos de derramamentos de óleo ocorridos no mundo durante as últimas três décadas. Isto tem incentivado as empresas e órgãos do governo envolvidos na prevenção e combate a estes acidentes a aperfeiçoarem cada vez mais os métodos, tanto preventivos como corretivos, para a minimização dos danos gerados por acidentes com derramamento de óleo. Este trabalho objetiva contextualizar de forma histórica como os acidentes com derramamento de óleo propiciaram o desenvolvimento de pesquisa tecnológica a partir de parcerias entre empresas de petróleo, agências de governo, universidades e institutos de pesquisa no Brasil, em especial na zona costeira Amazônica. Como resultado, índices de sensibilidade ambiental ao derramamento de óleo (ISA) foram definidos especialmente para a Amazônia costeira, onde processos fluviais e marinhos se encontram na foz do maior rio do mundo, o rio Amazonas. Perspectivas de pesquisa e respostas de emergência a acidentes são apresentadas, a fim de se conservar a diversidade socioambiental da mais importante região tropical do planeta.

The importance of environmental monitoring is clear from the many oil spills that have occurred over the past three decades. This has encouraged both companies and the public sector involved in the prevention and response to these accidents to develop efficient procedures to minimize the damage caused by accidents involving oil spill. This study reviews the history of oil spill accidents in Brazil and examines how these events have contributed to the development of technological research through partnerships involving oil companies, government, universities and research institutes, with the emphasis on the Amazon coastal zone. As a result, environmental sensitivity indexes (ESIs) for oil spill have been developed specifically for the Amazon coast, where fluvial and marine processes take place in the estuary of the world's largest river system. Perspectives on research and emergency response procedures are presented, with the primary objective of conserving the social-environmental diversity of the planet's most important tropical region.