Geoecological conditions of the Khabarovsk agglomeration for construction waste disposal

Abstract

This research is aimed at the geoecological assessment of the territory of the Khabarovsk agglomeration in terms of location possibility of construction and demolition waste or recycling of the latter, as well as the environmental impact of the waste. The annual volume of construction waste generation in Khabarovsk is 407.5 thousand tons (326.9 thousand m3). All waste from the construction sector of the Khabarovsk agglomeration is sent to landfills. The study territory distinguishes two areas: the one of the flood plain and above-floodplain terraces of the Amur river in the western part, which is flooded in the periods of high and catastrophic floods and features unfavorable geoecological conditions, and the area on the right bank of the Amur river in the eastern part of the territory with urban development where the groundwater levels exceed 2 m. In the course of the study, the authors identified the potential locations of the construction waste recycling complex and considered the possibility of arranging a site for temporary storage of raw materials having given the rationale for this choice. The methods applicable in the field of waste recycling under the formation of the construction and demolition waste processing industry are described. The potential of using waste as material resources as well as the environmental aspects of waste recycling in the form of building materials are evaluated. It is noted that by 2030, the carbon footprint will be 116.8 thousand tons of carbon dioxide as a result of waste disposal at municipal solid waste landfills. To reduce the carbon footprint (carbon dioxide emissions) during the construction works involving concrete and bituminous concrete it is justified the use of processed aggregates based on recycled crushed stone. The sites favorable for the placement of construction waste recycling enterprises have been identified during the survey of the city. They are located outside the existing and prospective urban and industrial development, as well as outside the zones of specially protected natural areas.