Assessment of the environmental quality of areas used for sport and leisure in a city undergoing an accelerated urbanization process (Fortaleza, Brazil)

Abstract The expansion of cities results in serious environmental impacts, such as a reduction in green spaces, noise pollution, atmospheric pollution and thermal discomfort. Good urban environmental quality requires adequate public spaces for use by the population and well-distributed green areas throughout the city. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the environmental quality of seven areas used for leisure and sport in a city that is going through an intense process of urbanization through multi-indicators such as biological (fungi and bacteria), chemical (particulate matter, carbonyl compounds) and physical (noise and thermal comfort). Collections were performed in two main seasonal periods (wet and dry), in the morning and afternoon, on weekdays and on weekends for the analysis of multi-indicators. The results revealed considerable differences in the variables measured among the different sites, indicating that location and the characteristics of each area are fundamental to the definition of environmental quality. Seasonality also exerted a considerable influence on all variables studied. The factors that most influenced this result were: flow of vehicles (greater in the afternoon and during the week), presence of vegetation in the place and building density close to the points. Most of the areas presented a high cancer risk for formaldehyde, when compared to the limits set by regulatory agencies, and three areas presented a higher risk to their users in terms of PM.