Anthropogenic Disasters Research Articles

PRIORITY DIRECTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL ARCHITECTURE IN KAZAKHSTAN IN THE 21ST CENTURY

The article offers an in-depth analysis of the key directions in the development of regional architecture in Kazakhstan in the 21st century. Modern architecture evolves under various factors, including environmental conditions, technological advancements, socio-economic realities, and cultural-historical contexts. The late 20th and early 21st centuries have also brought global challenges such as globalisation, environmental crises, technological and anthropogenic disasters, and military conflicts. This research, with its comprehensive approach, plays a crucial role in identifying the factors influencing contemporary architecture in Kazakhstan and determining the future directions for its development. The methodology included comparative analysis, systematisation of information from literary sources, project modelling, and surveys, ensuring the robustness and reliability of the findings. The primary data sources were the works of leading architecture specialists, complemented by an analysis of governmental policy documents, which provided insights into the main state policy directions in architecture. The study identified several critical directions in the development of architecture in Kazakhstan: sustainable development and “green” architecture, the digitalisation of the architectural and construction sector, the adaptive reuse and repurposing of existing buildings, participatory design, and the strengthening of architectural identity, which is crucial in the context of growing globalism. The findings of this research can serve as a foundation for developing new theoretical concepts in regional architecture and can be integrated into architectural educational programmes. These results will also benefit projects related to preserving and restoring architectural monuments, conserving cultural heritage, and adapting it to contemporary needs, enhancing both these objects’ functional appeal and economic value.

Global Disasters and World Society: The Ecological Dimension of Modern World-System Crises

The International Conference on Global Disasters and World Society: The Ecological Dimension of Modern World-System Crises, hosted by the Research Group on Political Economy of the World-System, and co-organized by the University of California Disaster Resilience Network, was held in Florianopolis, Brazil fr om 25 to 27 March, 2024. The conference convened scholars, activists, politicians, and government officials to exchange ideas and analyses of current climate crises from a world-historical perspective. Its objective was to formulate strategies for surviving and mitigating increasingly frequent and severe global and local natural and anthropogenic disasters, and to pave the way for a more just, democratic, and collectively rational world society. To achieve this goal, the conference organizers encouraged re-searchers to investigate the evolution of the modern world-system and to devise plans for moving towards a less unequal and more cooperative world society.

Ecological Design for Urban Regeneration in Industrial Metropolitan Areas: The Santa Cruz Refinery Case

Ecological design is crucial in shaping contemporary, resilient, and livable cities. The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Refinery, a prominent landmark in the Mid-Atlantic, serves as an exemplary case study for understanding advanced metropolitan processes and integrating trans-scalar, transdisciplinary, and nature-based solutions (NBS) practices into urban contexts. This article explores the challenges of transforming obsolete industrial areas, including the refinery’s decommissioning process, its port, and industrial heritage value, and their relationship with the sea, into vibrant urban cores. It examines innovative strategies for land use, decontamination, and urban resilience, which are vital for fostering adaptability and recovery from natural and anthropogenic disasters. By emphasizing the refinery’s connection to Santa Cruz de Tenerife and its metropolitan area, as well as its coastal interface, this study proposes a comprehensive methodology to assess the territorial impacts of urban processes and guide project decisions toward enhancing the quality of life for the region’s residents.

Analysis Of Land Subsidance Rates In DKI JAKARTA In 2018, 2020 And 2022 With The DINSAR Method

Abstract DKI Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, as the center of growth and development has a high population. The high population has an impact on land use change in an effort to fulfill housing which directly impacts the increase in building density or Normalized Diffrence Built-up Index (NDBI). The purpose of this research is to analyze the rate of land subsidence in DKI Jakarta and analyze the effect of building density on land subsidence. The impact of high growth rates creates the potential for natural and anthropogenic disasters. This research uses the Differential Inferometry Synthetic Aperarure Radar (DinSAR) method, in observing land subsidence with accuracy reaching cm units. The data used in this research is Sentinel 1A image with observation time in 2018, 2020, and 2023. The results showed that land subsidence in DKI Jakarta was dominated in the North Jakarta area, the highest land subsidence value reached -26.08 cm/year. The fastest land subsidence occurs in densely populated areas prone to flooding. The correlation results show that there is no relationship between the high level of building density and land subsidence.

Climate-induced migration: The need to address human rights to water and sanitation for a growing displaced population

This perspective article examines the complex issues surrounding water and sanitation for climate migrants during the current climate crisis. To deepen the understanding of climate-induced migration, the study seeks to identify and analyze a critical knowledge gap related to climate migrants. This involves defining who climate migrants are, understanding their migration patterns, and identifying the specific challenges they face, particularly concerning their fundamental human rights to water and sanitation. Environmental and anthropogenic disasters, expropriation, and gradual environmental deterioration all contribute to the intricate interplay that leads to such a state of affairs. It highlights the critical importance of a precise definition of climate migrants and calls for robust theoretical and epistemological contributions to deepen our understanding of this issue. Furthermore, extreme weather events can cause frequent and permanent displacement, which increases pressure on water and sanitation systems. Encouraging reflection, the article discusses how knowledge gained can guide government and civil society actions to mitigate adversities climate migrants face and ensure human dignity through universal access to water and sanitation. These challenges are set to intensify in the coming decades, making this a pressing matter for all.

Conflicts and Proposals for an Antispeciesist Ecofeminist Consideration of Nonhuman Animals in Disaster Contexts

Conflicts and Proposals for an Antispeciesist Ecofeminist Consideration of Nonhuman Animals in Disaster Contexts

The application of PTR-MS and non-targeted analysis to characterize VOCs emitted from a plastic recycling facility fire.

On April 11th, 2023, the My Way Trading (MWT) recycling facility in Richmond, Indiana caught fire, mandating the evacuation of local residents and necessitating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct air monitoring. The EPA detected elevated levels of plastic combustion-related air pollutants, including hydrogen cyanide and benzene. We aimed to identify these and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present as well as to identify the potential hazard of each compound for various human health effects. To identify the VOCs, we conducted air monitoring at sites within and bordering the evacuation zone using proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) and non-targeted analysis (NTA). To facilitate risk assessment of the emitted VOCs, we used the EPA Hazard Comparison Dashboard. We identified 46 VOCs, within and outside the evacuation zone, with average detection levels above local background levels measured in Middletown, OH. Levels of hydrogen cyanide and 4 other VOCs were at least 1.8-fold higher near the incidence site in comparison to background levels and displayed unique temporal and spatial patterns. The 46 VOCs identified had the highest hazardous potential for eye and skin irritation, with approximately 45% and 39%, respectively, of the VOCs classified as high and very high hazards for these endpoints. Notably, all detected VOC levels were below the hazard thresholds set for single VOC exposures; however, hazard thresholds for exposure to VOC mixtures are currently unclear. This study serves as a proof-of-concept that PTR-MS coupled with NTA can facilitate rapid identification and hazard assessment of VOCs emitted following anthropogenic disasters. Furthermore, it demonstrates that this approach may augment future disaster responses to quantify additional VOCs present in complex combustion mixtures.

Laying the Foundations for the Dysfunctional Analysis of a Territory

This article introduces a method for enhancing territorial risk management through dysfunctional analysis supported by the SADT tool. It discusses the importance of functional analysis in identifying risks within a territory, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to understanding the various functions and activities within a territory. By applying these principles to emergency response plans the article highlights the use of incidence matrices in risk assessment and process modeling to improve preparedness and response to natural or anthropogenic disasters.

Telehealth and digital health innovations: A mixed landscape of access.

In the wake of emergent natural and anthropogenic disasters, telehealth presents opportunities to improve access to healthcare when physical access is not possible. Yet, since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, lessons learned reveal that various populations in the United States do not or cannot adopt telehealth due to inequitable access. We explored the Digital Determinants of Health (DDoHs) for telehealth, characterizing the role of accessibility, broadband connectivity and electrical grids, and patient intersectionality. In addition to its role as an existing Social Determinant of Health, Policies and Laws directly and indirectly affect these DDoHs, making access more complex for marginalized populations. Digital systems lack the flexibility, accessibility, and usability to inclusively provide the essential services patients need in telehealth. We propose the following recommendations: (1) design technology and systems using accessibility and value sensitive design principles; (2) support a range of technologies and settings; (3) support multiple and diverse users; and (4) support clear paths for repair when technical systems fail to meet users' needs. Addressing these requires change not only from providers but also from the institutions providing these systems.

Different Dynamics of the Chemical Composition of Water in the Baikal Ecosystem (Baikal, Its Tributaries, and the Source of the Angara River)

Abstract —Multidirectional dynamics of changes in the chemical composition of the water of the only runoff of Lake Baikal, the Angara River, has been established. The cyclic-wave change in the interannual chemical composition of the Baikal water has been revealed, which indicates a long-term memory effect in the chemical time series of elements. Positive and negative temperature and chemical trends in the state of the water in the source of the Angara are observed, which are due to climate changes, the confinement of Baikal to the rift zone, and the composition of the enclosing rocks. It is shown that the current concentrations of monitored elements in the Angara source water depend also on their past concentrations but can change dramatically in the case of catastrophic environmental disturbances caused by natural and anthropogenic disasters (fires, drought, floods, earthquakes, etc.). The relationship between the elevated concentrations of uranium in the water and the seismic process in the Baikal area has been traced. The data obtained are based on the long-term (1950–2021) monitoring of the chemical composition of water in the Baikal ecosystem (Baikal, its tributaries, and Angara source).

Urban development & street-network sprawl in Tokyo

ABSTRACT This paper uses Tokyo, Japan as a case study to explore the processes of urban development and sprawl through the lenses of street connectivity and historical development. Tokyo is a highly connected city in terms of its street network, but also offers a unique urban experience of global renown. This study develops a novel time series that shows the evolution of patterns of connectivity across the urban region. We then qualitatively analyze this time series in the context of Tokyo’s urban history to identify the historical and present-day influences that have shaped its street connectivity. We find that streets in the Tokyo metropolitan region have always been remarkably connected by international standards, and that this connectivity has persisted throughout different periods of economic and governmental systems in addition to both natural and anthropogenic disasters.

Metataxonomic Characterization of Enriched Consortia Derived from Oil Spill-Contaminated Sites in Guimaras, Philippines, Reveals Major Role of Klebsiella sp. in Hydrocarbon Degradation.

Oil spills are major anthropogenic disasters that cause serious harm to marine environments. In the Philippines, traditional methods of rehabilitating oil-polluted areas were proven to be less efficient and cause further damage to the environment. Microbial degradation has poised itself to be a promising alternative to those traditional methods in remediating oil spills. Hence, the present study aimed to enrich and characterize hydrocarbon-degrading microbial consortia from oil-contaminated regions in Guimaras Island for potential use in bioremediation. A total of 75 soil samples were obtained and used as inoculum for the enrichment for hydrocarbon degraders. Afterwards, 32 consortia were recovered and subjected to the 2,6-DCPIP assay for biodegradation ability on four types of hydrocarbons: diesel, xylene, hexane, and hexadecane. The consortia that obtained the highest percent degradation for each of the four hydrocarbons were "B2" (92.34% diesel degraded), "A5" (85.55% hexadecane degraded), "B1" (74.33% hexane degraded), and "B7" (63.38% xylene degraded). Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed that the dominant phyla in all consortia are Pseudomonadota (previously Proteobacteria), followed by Bacillota (previously Firmicutes). Overall, the amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) retrieved were mainly from the Gammaproteobacteria class, in which many hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria are found. Predictive functional profiling of the consortium showed the presence of genes involved in the degradation of recalcitrant hydrocarbon pollutants. Fatty acid metabolism, which includes alkB (alkane-1-monooxygenase) and genes for beta oxidation, was inferred to be the most abundant amongst all hydrocarbon degradation pathways. Klebsiella sp. is the predominant ASV in all the sequenced consortia as well as the major contributor of hydrocarbon degradation genes. The findings of the study can serve as groundwork for the development of hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial consortia for the bioremediation of oil spill-affected areas in the Philippines. Likewise, this paper provides a basis for further investigation into the role of Klebsiella sp. in the bioremediation of hydrocarbon pollutants.

Intelligent Method for Classifying the Level of Anthropogenic Disasters

Anthropogenic disasters pose a challenge to management in the modern world. At the same time, it is important to have accurate and timely information to assess the level of danger and take appropriate measures to eliminate disasters. Therefore, the purpose of the paper is to develop an effective method for assessing the level of anthropogenic disasters based on information from witnesses to the event. For this purpose, a conceptual model for assessing the consequences of anthropogenic disasters is proposed, the main components of which are the following ones: the analysis of collected data, modeling and assessment of their consequences. The main characteristics of the intelligent method for classifying the level of anthropogenic disasters are considered, in particular, exploratory data analysis using the EDA method, classification based on textual data using SMOTE, and data classification by the ensemble method of machine learning using boosting. The experimental results confirmed that for textual data, the best classification is at level V and level I with an error of 0.97 and 0.94, respectively, and the average error estimate is 0.68. For quantitative data, the classification accuracy of Potential Accident Level relative to Industry Sector is 77%, and the f1-score is 0.88, which indicates a fairly high accuracy of the model. The architecture of a mobile application for classifying the level of anthropogenic disasters has been developed, which reduces the time required to assess consequences of danger in the region. In addition, the proposed approach ensures interaction with dynamic and uncertain environments, which makes it an effective tool for classifying.

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Lahore’s Resilience Against Heat Wave by Using Remote Sensing and GIS

This research work aims at finding urban resilience capacity of Lahore (study area) against the heat wave. Natural as well as anthropogenic disasters are threatening the urban systems and the urbanites. In the present scenario of fastest urbanization, the concepts of urban resilience and sustainability are sprouting and flourishing for making the cities more resilient and sustainable against disasters. Lahore, being the 2nd largest city of Pakistan with huge population, faces the disasters of various natures including urban flooding, smog and heat wave. The major function of a city is to provide all what is needed for its people and that is only possible when a city will be resilient enough to cope with the disasters and have capability to meet the social, economic and environmental needs of its people. This research focuses on identification of the major disasters being faced by Lahore and evaluation of its sustainability and resilience capacity against these disasters. Landsat images of the years 2002,2012 and 2022 were acquired from the USGS website. These images were processed and analyzed by using ArcGis to find out the relationship among various indices causing heat wave. In this regard, NDVI, NDBI, LULC, LST and UHI were obtained. The extracted information was later rearranged, over-layered and weighted to trace the zonal resilience of Lahore. The deduced findings reveal tremendous impact of decreasing vegetation cover and expansion in built-up area in creation of heat island and hindering the resilient capacity of Lahore. The eastern parts of the city are the most resilient followed by southern areas while central and western parts are least resilient against heat wave. Change detection analysis shows drastic change, the highest resilient areas of 2002 and 2012 are the least resilient in 2022. This research will further lead to new horizons of research pertinent to urban resilience and will be of great significance for developers and policy makers in making the cities resilient against disasters.

THE REAL READINESS TO DEAL WITH CITIZENS TEMPORARILY RESIDING IN THE CITY OF PLEVEN WITH CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR (CBRN) TERRORISM

Urbanization and population density in the city of Pleven create the conditions for anthropogenic disasters involving modern hazards such as disease-causing microorganisms, toxins, dangerous chemicals, hazardous weapon substances, radiation, and nuclear explosions. The study was conducted under project No. 13/2022 at MU - Pleven, involving 240 foreign citizens from 31 countries. The participants were divided into two age groups: 18 to 25 years (64%) and 26 to 35 years (36%). Their duration of stay in Pleven was categorized into up to 5 years (54%) and over 5 years (46%). Interestingly, more than 50% of the participants had experienced more than one distress situation before. The study used a sociological method to examine the readiness to protect themselves during disasters. The results revealed alarmingly low levels of awareness regarding anthropogenic disasters or terrorist acts in the city of Pleven, with only 15% and 5% of respondents being aware of them, respectively. Furthermore, over 60% of the respondents did not know who organizes aid for the population during disasters. Both age groups demonstrated inadequate knowledge and preparedness in dealing with a biological weapon infection outbreak. About 53% of participants did not know what to do in case of danger, 75% were unaware of the emergency phone number during disasters, 56% could not provide first aid to victims, and 64% lacked knowledge of appropriate actions in the event of a terrorist act.

Global Supply Chain Management in the Aftermath of Anthropogenic Disasters

Global Supply Chain Management in the Aftermath of Anthropogenic Disasters

Land Use/Land Cover Optimized SAR Coherence Analysis for Rapid Coastal Disaster Monitoring: The Impact of the Emma Storm in Southern Spain

The high exposure of coastal areas worldwide to natural and anthropogenic disasters emphasizes the relevance of disaster management processes that ensure a prompt damage detection and identification of affected areas. This paper aimed to develop a novel approach for disaster monitoring in coastal areas using SAR data. The method was based on an interferometric coherence difference analysis of Sentinel 1 data. To calibrate and validate the method, the Emma Storm, a severe coastal storm that affected the southwest coast of the Iberian Peninsula in 2018, was chosen as a case study. A coastal land use/land cover method optimization by optical and UAV field data resulted in an overall improvement of about 20% in the identification of disaster-affected areas by reducing false alarms by up to 33%. Finally, the method achieved hit and false alarm rates of about 80% and 20%, respectively, leading to the identification of approximately 30% (7000 ha) of the study area as being affected by the storm. Marshes and vegetated dunes were the most significantly impacted covers. In addition, SAR data enabled the impact assessment with a time lag of 2 days, contrasting the 25-day delay of optical data. The proposed method stands out as a valuable tool for regional-scale coastal disaster monitoring. In addition, it can be automated and operated at a low cost, making it a valuable tool for decision-making support.

Systematic meta-analysis of research on AI tools to deal with misinformation on social media during natural and anthropogenic hazards and disasters

The spread of misinformation on social media has led to the development of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to deal with this phenomenon. These tools are particularly needed when misinformation relates to natural or anthropogenic disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The major research question of our work was as follows: what kind of gatekeepers (i.e. news moderators) do we wish social media algorithms and users to be when misinformation on hazards and disasters is being dealt with? To address this question, we carried out a meta-analysis of studies published in Scopus and Web of Science. We extracted 668 papers that contained keyterms related to the topic of “AI tools to deal with misinformation on social media during hazards and disasters.” The methodology included several steps. First, we selected 13 review papers to identify relevant variables and refine the scope of our meta-analysis. Then we screened the rest of the papers and identified 266 publications as being significant for our research goals. For each eligible paper, we analyzed its objective, sponsor’s location, year of publication, research area, type of hazard, and related topics. As methods of analysis, we applied: descriptive statistics, network representation of keyword co-occurrences, and flow representation of research rationale. Our results show that few studies come from the social sciences (5.8%) and humanities (3.5%), and that most of those papers are dedicated to the COVID-19 risk (92%). Most of the studies deal with the question of detecting misinformation (68%). Few countries are major funders of the development of the topic. These results allow some inferences. Social sciences and humanities seem underrepresented for a topic that is strongly connected to human reasoning. A reflection on the optimum balance between algorithm recommendations and user choices seems to be missing. Research results on the pandemic could be exploited to enhance research advances on other risks.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN AREAS OF MILITARY CONFLICTS AND ANTHROPOGENIC DISASTERS

This article presents an overview of the characteristics pointing out the deterioration of the epidemiological situation during military conflicts and anthropogenic disasters drawing form the latest literature. There are particular conditions that can provoke emergencies, among them military conflicts, natural disasters, humanitarian crises, man-made disasters, the use of biological weapons, particularly within the context of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine. The emergency conditions according to the principles of the sanitary and epidemiological service involve sudden and often unpredictable disruptions to normal everyday circumstances. These disruptions stem from disasters, natural calamities, and their aftermath, resulting in significant human casualties and widespread illness.
 The most important factors affecting the development of epidemiological circumstances include violations of the water supply system, contamination of food products, washing away various chemicals into water bodies, flooding of natural biocenoses, crowding, stress, increased sensitivity to infections, intensive migration processes. The complete or partial destruction of the material and technical base of health care and the sanitary-epidemiological service with disruption of the activities of medical and preventive institutions in the occupied territories also significantly affects the epidemiological situation. Given the eastern and southern regions in Ukraine, the emergency situation with severe epidemic complications has been observed for a year in the cities and villages occupied by Russians. As a result of serious violations of living conditions in disaster areas, war zones, and occupied territories, the epidemic situation regarding intestinal infections, including typhoid, paratyphoid, viral hepatitis, dysentery, and salmonellosis, has sharply worsened. Moreover, the increase in the incidence of them occurs in the first weeks after the action of the extreme factor. Crowding of people contributes to the intensification of aerosol contamination. Particularly dangerous in this regard are meningococcal disease, viral pneumonia, diphtheria and other contagious diseases. In addition, the high risk of critical deterioration of the epidemiological situation in Ukraine causes a high probability of the use of chemical and biological weapons by russians.

Life expectancy in Japan (17<sup>th</sup> – first half of the 20<sup>th</sup> centuries)

Life expectancy is the most important indicator of the state of society and the quality of life of the people who live in it. It depends on many factors that affect mortality: nutrition, physical activity, epidemic and other diseases, natural, social and anthropogenic disasters, the level of public anxiety, the state of the environment, healthcare, hygiene, etc.In Japan during the Tokugawa period, the body did not belong to the person himself. His mission was to “serve” – to the overlord and parents. This was possible only if the person was healthy for as long as possible. During the Tokugawa era, the Japanese were taught that only a healthy person could fulfill his duty. Healthcare was entrusted to the person himself, there was no public health system. Despite the huge differences in natural conditions, lifestyle, nutritional diet, scientific and medical ideas, in terms of life expectancy, Japan was approximately on the same level as major European countries.After the Meiji revolution, the concept of “service” did not disappear, but now the main object of service became the state represented by the emperor. The state made serious efforts in the field of healthcare, but the negative consequences of modernization for a long time did not allow to increase life expectancy. Its slow but steady growth begins only in the second half of the 1920s. However, before the Second World War, Japan lagged significantly behind the developed countries of the West in terms of life expectancy. The expansionist policy of Japan demanded to increase the number of Japanese people. Since increasing life expectancy is a time-consuming task, the choice was made in favor of a policy of increasing the birth rate.