On April 12, 2026, SIC’s Primeiro Jornal broadcast a report on the environmental risks associated with a former landfill located in São Pedro de Maceda, in the municipality of Ovar. The proximity of this landfill to the coastal zone, combined with ongoing shoreline erosion, raises concerns about its degradation and the potential risk of marine environmental contamination.
The report featured contributions from Amadeu Soares, Director of CESAM, and Paulo Baganha, researcher at CESAM/DGEO, who highlighted the potential environmental impacts resulting from the exposure of deposited waste, emphasizing the need for monitoring and preventive measures in response to coastal retreat.
The report also highlighted the impact of storms recorded between October and February, which accelerated shoreline retreat by approximately 20 meters—above the average observed over the past decade. This trend is linked to the reduced capacity for sediment replenishment following extreme events, increasing coastal vulnerability.
The former Maceda landfill, which operated between 1973 and 1999 as a disposal site for urban and industrial waste, is currently located about 550 meters from the shoreline. Although it has been sealed, uncertainties remain regarding the composition of the waste and its potential impacts, particularly under a scenario of progressive coastal encroachment.
Throughout the report, Amadeu Soares noted that the situation could become a significant issue in the medium to long term if the erosion trend persists. The CESAM Director stressed the importance of considering extended time horizons when assessing such phenomena, warning of potential environmental and public health implications associated with possible waste exposure.
Paulo Baganha, in turn, reinforced the need to implement mitigation measures based on coastal dynamics, namely through interventions such as beach nourishment and continuous monitoring of shoreline evolution.
The potential exposure of the landfill may impact marine ecosystems and the environmental quality of the coastal zone, affecting species such as fish, mollusks, and cephalopods, as well as the recreational use of beaches. In this context, the contributions of CESAM researchers highlight the importance of integrating scientific knowledge into coastal management and the development of adaptation strategies to coastal change.
Full report available here.