Environmental monitoring and impact assessment of Prut River cross-border pollution.

A system called Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) has been developed to organise Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). RIAM brings together the individual multi-disciplinary parts of an EIA in a transparent and semiquantitative manner. RIAM allows a holistic and coherent anticipation of problems, and can assist in the repeated assessment of alternatives and project details during the planning phase. In coastal regions, numerical models are also important tools in the impact assessment process. Some advantages are provided by the combined use of the RIAM and the MIKE21 model system. RIAM defines the important assessment criteria and environmental components as well as a means by which values for each of these criteria can be collated to provide an accurate and independent score for each condition. The MIKE21 model supplies the scientific base for the assessment, evaluating the physical, chemical and ecological impacts of project activities. RIAM, and MIKE models for hydrography, water quality and ecology, have been used in a dredging and reclamation project in Sabah, Malaysia. The result of the RIAM analysis in combination with MIKE modelling gave a direct quantification of the benefits and disadvantages of different designs of the reclamation options. This combination strongly facilitated the minimisation of environmental impact and the future decision making. Transactions on Ecology and the Environment vol 18, © 1998 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541

Testing the usability of the Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) method for comparison of EIA and SEA results

In the last several decades, Iran’s ecosystem has suffered due to the careless usage of natural resources. Cities have grown in an uneven and non-normative way, and poor project management has been a major issue, particularly in large cities. An even greater number of environmental factors and engineering regulations are not relevant to projects. Because of this, in order to ascertain a project’s environmental impact, an environmental impact assessment (EIA), is required. Using the rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) is one method of applying it to EIA. Reducing subjectivity brings objectivity and transparency. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a thorough EIA was carried out for the Tehran project utilizing the RIAM and other possibilities. This research is the first to combine the methodology that was discussed during the incident. Through the use of the RIAM technique, the environmental impact of COVID-19 was to be quantified in this inquiry. The research examined lockdown procedures and the COVID-19 pandemic to create an EIA indicator. In a real-world case study conducted in Tehran, Iran, the impact of the initiative was evaluated using the RIAM methodology during the COVID-19 epidemic. The results demonstrated that COVID-19 had both beneficial and harmful effects. Decision-makers were effectively informed about the COVID-19 pandemic’s environmental consequences on people and the environment, as well as how to minimize negative effects, according to the EIA technique that used RIAM. This is the first research to integrate the EIA during a crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, with the RIAM approach.

The rapid impact assessment matrix (Riam) For eia

The environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a compulsory evaluation instrument for environmental management and decision making processes and applies to different phases of activities (plans, programmes, projects and /or existing production or services), because it measures the natural and anthropogenic activities effects upon the environment.These impacts may affect the cultural richness, biodiversity, social-economic conditions and human health as well as the ecosystem equilibrium.The aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental impact generated by the heavy metal pollution from the main sources located in the southern area of the Romanian Black Sea coast.Various pollution sources that discharge contaminated effluents were considered for the impact and risk assessment with concern to water and sediments.The main sources analyzed were the effluents of wastewater treatment plants (4 treatment plants of SC RAJA Constanta) and the effluents of a refinery.The methods applied in order to assess the impact of pollution sources with heavy metals were Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) and Integrated Environmental Impact and Risk approach.Environmental indicators used for impact quantification were correlated considering the concentrations of heavy metals from the effluents (generated by the 5 pollution sources), marine water and sediments.The results obtained in this study provide a general image for the heavy metal pollution caused by considered anthropogenic activities on the Romanian Black Sea Coast.The results showed that the analyzed pollution sources do not have a significant negative impact generated by the heavy metal pollution.However, the presence of other pollution sources should not be overlooked because the ecosystem equilibrium must be maintained even if the concentrations of the heavy metals are below the maximum allowed values.

Water pollution represents the direct or indirect change of its normal composition as a result of human activity in such extent that is affecting all other possibilities to use the water in its natural state. This study was carried out to investigate the seasonal variability and distribution of heavy metals in the waters of Somesul Mic (Romania), Bic (Republic of Moldova), and Prut (Romanian-Moldovan natural border) rivers. Water samples were collected from nine sampling sites in Autumn 2016, Spring and Summer 2017. Dissolved metals concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The metal index (MI) was calculated to assess the contaminations of the Somesul Mic, Bic, and Prut rivers. MI values revealed that Somesul Mic and Prut rivers are pure to moderately affected by metal pollution, while Bic river is slightly to strongly affected by metal pollution.

Environmental impact assessment of structural flood mitigation measures by a rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) technique: A case study in Metro Manila, Philippines

An environmental impact assessment is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Masjid-I-Sulaiman desalination and operating unit’s project in the southern of Iran using Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) method is presented. The field is located between 32° 06' 53.60'' North and 40° 10' 54.18'' East, in the Masjid-I-Sulaiman area. It is planned to produce rate of 55,000 oil barrels per day. In this study, an attempt was made to identify and assess the likely key impacts of desalination and operating units in two phases: Construction and Operation. In the evaluation process, positive and negative environmental impacts of Masjid-I-Sulaiman desalination and operating units were assessed based on the results of multi-disciplinary team approach and the field survey data using RIAM method. In this regard, given that in today’s world for a closer look at the environmental impact of development projects and achieve a safer reply, using new implementation methods such as MCDM can be appropriate. The results of assessment reveal that the percent volumetric positive effects in alternative 1is more than percent volumetric negative impact on the second alternative, therefore the implementation of the project with some mitigation plans and monitoring program for the alternative 1 was chosen as a best option is accepted. Then on the basis of current evaluation suggest monitoring program and mitigation plans.

Sustainability assessment of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is assessed in transboundary context, using Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) technique. RIAM indicates that in both Physical and Chemical category and Biological and Ecological category, there are major negative impacts for both upstream and downstream countries. On the other hand, the RIAM indicates that in Sociological and Cultural category and Economic and Operational category will have a positive impact in upstream countries and negative impacts in downstream countries. The result is not intended to substitute for a full assessment of impacts, only to help shed light on some of the issues that deserve greater attention. The study concludes RIAM is a useful tool for decision makers as it is able to display the results of different development scenarios and produce transparent environmental solutions, even with very complex options. RIAM is an effective technique in environmental impact assessment, in particular with very complicated transboundary context as verified in this study. It is hoped that the realistic ability of RIAM in dealing with transboundary context is paved the way to full approval of both upstream and downstream countries in achieving sustainable development for shared water resources.

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) study for the solid waste landfill was prepared for the Russeifa area, northeast Jordan. As landfill was not subjected to sophisticated EIA, serious environmental problems are still occurring, such as groundwater contamination and air pollution. Three alternatives were proposed to rehabilitate the landfill: upgrading the existing landfill, construction of a biogas plant and its relocation. The EIA for the three options was carried out using the rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM), it applies a consistent and recordable assessment of the importance of the different components. The scoping components included in the RIAM were: physical/chemical, biological/ecological, social/cultural and economic/operational components. The RIAM analysis showed that the least negative impacts would be to relocate to a better-managed sanitary landfill. The most serious negative impacts were the contamination of groundwater, air pollution and public health. These impacts can be mitigated through a comprehensive environmental management plan for the Russeifa landfill to address the deterioration of environmental components in the vicinity of landfill.

The question of whether landfills are or could be sustainable is somewhat unanswered within the sphere of waste management. This is partly due to two key issues: the ambiguities concerning what is sustainability?; and how to effectively assess the potential or actual sustainability of a landfill? It has been argued in the literature that this is a difficult task, however it is not impossible. This paper consequently presents the application of a mathematical model of sustainability to the results obtained for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the Russeifa landfill in Jordan using the rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) methodology. This paper demonstrates the methodology necessary to apply the model to the RIAM evaluation made at the time of assessment with respect to potential mitigation options. A determination of the level and nature of sustainability (if appropriate) for the project options were obtained for the Russeifa landfill. The results indicated that all of project options evaluated could be considered as unsustainable. This paper concludes by stating that the application of the model to the RIAM analysis offers a potential mechanism in evaluating sustainability through the use of a common and increasingly regarded technique of EIA.

The irregular and non-normative development of cities and also weakness in the waste management system has created many problems especially in large cities. However, even many of the principles of engineering and environmental criteria about burying of wastes do not match in the landfill sites. Therefore, environmental impact assessment (EIA) for landfills to examine the effects of landfills on environment is essential. Rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) is one of the ways that it can be used to EIA. This method minimizes the elements of subjectivity and introduces some degree of transparency and objectivity. Using the RIAM, EIA has been carried out on different municipal solid waste disposal options in Tabriz landfill and it has been found that composting with the sanitary landfill is the best recommended option according to the existing circumstances.

This paper assessed an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Municipal Solid waste landfill sites of two different regimes. The study deals with two sites of entirely different geographical areas and waste generation pattern. India enforced Municipal Solid Waste Management and Handling rules,2000 and its subsequent amendments for all the cities and towns having entirely physical and climatically different conditions for solid waste management. Still, MSW dumped in open places without any treatment results in severe environmental impacts in and around the surrounding areas, making it essential to assess its impact. Quantitative assessment of ground water, soil and air quality was determined. Whereas in this study, we used Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM), because all the components and parameters can easily be integrated into one platform, applying the criteria that were considered to be the most significant in the evaluated cases to compare the environmental and social impact of the two MSW dump site. The RIAM results revealed that the method could be used for comparison and ranking of separate and distinct areas, based on their negative or positive impact. No significant difference was observed in the scoring of the two sites, i.e.the Indore city landfill obtained slightly more negative scoring (100%) than Srinagar landfill (96.6%). The decomposition of waste seems to be more in Indore than in Srinagar due to cold climatic zone. The paper reveals the adverse impact of dump sites on the nearby areas in both the regions.

All wastewater treatment processes produce a large amount of semisolid pollutants, especially wastewater sludge. Discharge of sludge without environmental considerations will have many serious effects on public health and environment. The main objective of this study is the selection of optimum option for sludge disposal in the Guilan province of Iran using rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) which is a tool to organise, analyse and present the results of a holistic environmental impact analysis (EIA). The effects of five options of sludge disposal (sludge composting, co-composting, grass land application, sanitary landfill and incineration) on four environmental components (physical-chemical, biological-ecological, social and economical) are evaluated via questionnaires which were was addressed to all environmental experts in water and wastewater companies in Guilan province. It was found that there are different optimum options for each environmental component. Based on overall comparison of the options' effects on all the components, the analysis of matrices has shown that co-composting is the best recommended option for sludge disposal in the existing conditions. Key words: Sludge disposal, environmental impact assessment (EIA), rapid impact assessment matrix (RAIM), Guilan province, environmental components.

Objectives. In the Republic of Moldova, the supply of the population with drinking water from surface sources, is ensured, mainly, from the hydrographic basins of the Dniester and Prut rivers, where the water quality varies a lot. The aim of the study was the comparative hygienic evaluation of water quality in the Dniester and Prut rivers. Materials and methods. In 2019 were investigated 162 water samples, from the fixed points along the Dniester and Prut rivers, at the sanitary-hygienic and microbiological indicators. In the study were used hygienic, statistical, descriptive and analytical methods. Results. According to the results of laboratory investigations of water quality from surface aquatic sources, there is a decrease in the number of results attributed to class I (very good) water quality and a considerable increase in the number of results attributed to class IV (polluted) and class V (very polluted). For the Nistru district, the share of samples at the sanitary-chemical parameters assigned to the quality class I, for 2019, is 7%, compared to 23% in 2018. Also, for the Prut district, there is a decrease of the samples assigned to the class I, from 30% in 2018 to 9% in 2019 and an increase of the samples assigned to class IV from 9% in 2018, to 39% in 2019. In the case of microbiological parameters, the same legitimacy is found. Conclusion. There has been a dizzying decrease in the quality of surface water in these two rivers, due to anthropogenic pollution with untreated or partially treated wastewater.