Anthropogenic Disasters Research Articles

Potential Human Health Hazard of Post-Hurricane Harvey Sediments in Galveston Bay and Houston Ship Channel: A Case Study of Using In Vitro Bioactivity Data to Inform Risk Management Decisions.

Natural and anthropogenic disasters may be associated with redistribution of chemical contaminants in the environment; however, current methods for assessing hazards and risks of complex mixtures are not suitable for disaster response. This study investigated the suitability of in vitro toxicity testing methods as a rapid means of identifying areas of potential human health concern. We used sediment samples (n = 46) from Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel (GB/HSC) areas after hurricane Harvey, a disaster event that led to broad redistribution of chemically-contaminated sediments, including deposition of the sediment on shore due to flooding. Samples were extracted with cyclohexane and dimethyl sulfoxide and screened in a compendium of human primary or induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell lines from different tissues (hepatocytes, neuronal, cardiomyocytes, and endothelial) to test for concentration-dependent effects on various functional and cytotoxicity phenotypes (n = 34). Bioactivity data were used to map areas of potential concern and the results compared to the data on concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the same samples. We found that setting remediation goals based on reducing bioactivity is protective of both “known” risks associated with PAHs and “unknown” risks associated with bioactivity, but the converse was not true for remediation based on PAH risks alone. Overall, we found that in vitro bioactivity can be used as a comprehensive indicator of potential hazards and is an example of a new approach method (NAM) to inform risk management decisions on site cleanup.

Analysis of changes in the survivability of building structures reinforced after an emergency dynamic impact in the context of assessing the security of buildings in the oil and gas industry

The relevance of the subject matter is conditioned by the technical complexity of the oil and gas facilities due to the increase in the volume and rate of raw materials production, which may be affected by shock-wave loads in emergency situations. The causes of the impact can be explosions, heavy cargo falls, terrorist attacks, natural and anthropogenic disasters, etc. These situations are very likely to cause significant damage to the building structures of industrial facilities, which necessitates their reinforcement. For further safe operation of the facility, reinforced structures must have survivability under repeated impacts no less than before the reinforcement. Given the fact that the survivability of buildings is a complex characteristic influenced by many factors, and it itself is a component of the security of a hazardous production facility, research in this area is topical. The purpose of the study is to test the developed method for assessing the survivability of a building structure under short-term shock-wave load based on the energy parameter and to analyze the results obtained in the context of assessing the security of critical oil and gas facilities. Research methods: Measurement of accelerations, deflections, and loads by strain measurement methods, graphoanalytical method of study using the Microsoft Excel software. A method for assessing the level of survivability of a building structure under shock-wave loading for critical oil and gas facilities using the survivability coefficient is developed. Using specific tests of conventional and cage-reinforced bending concrete elements for short-term dynamic load, the values of the specified coefficient are obtained. The values are compared and conclusions are drawn.

Simultaneous supply and demand constraints in input–output networks: the case of Covid-19 in Germany, Italy, and Spain

Natural and anthropogenic disasters frequently affect both the supply and demand sides of an economy. A striking recent example is the Covid-19 pandemic which has created severe disruptions to economic output in most countries. These direct shocks to supply and demand will propagate downstream and upstream through production networks. Given the exogenous shocks, we derive a lower bound on total shock propagation. We find that even in this best case scenario network effects substantially amplify the initial shocks. To obtain more realistic model predictions, we study the propagation of shocks bottom-up by imposing different rationing rules on industries if they are not able to satisfy incoming demand. Our results show that economic impacts depend strongly on the emergence of input bottlenecks, making the rationing assumption a key variable in predicting adverse economic impacts. We further establish that the magnitude of initial shocks and network density heavily influence model predictions.

Introgression dynamics from invasive pigs into wild boar following the March 2011 natural and anthropogenic disasters at Fukushima.

Natural and anthropogenic disasters have the capability to cause sudden extrinsic environmental changes and long-lasting perturbations including invasive species, species expansion and influence evolution as selective pressures force adaption. Such disasters occurred on 11 March 2011, in Fukushima, Japan, when an earthquake, tsunami and meltdown of a nuclear power plant all drastically reformed anthropogenic land use. Using genetic data, we demonstrate how wild boar (Sus scrofa leucomystax) have persevered against these environmental changes, including an invasion of escaped domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus). Concurrently, we show evidence of successful hybridization between pigs and native wild boar in this area; however in future offspring, the pig legacy has been diluted through time. We speculate that the range expansion dynamics inhibit long-term introgression and introgressed alleles will continue to decrease at each generation while only maternally inherited organelles will persist. Using the gene flow data among wild boar, we assume that offspring from hybrid lineages will continue dispersal north at low frequencies as climates warm. We conclude that future risks for wild boar in this area include intraspecies competition, revitalization of human-related disruptions and disease outbreaks.

EXPLORING CLOUD-BASED PLATFORMS FOR RAPID INSAR TIME SERIES ANALYSIS

Abstract. The idea of near real-time deformation analysis using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data as a response to natural and anthropogenic disasters has been an interesting topic in the last years. A major limiting factor for this purpose has been the non-availability of both spatially and temporally homogeneous SAR datasets. This has now been resolved thanks to the SAR data provided by the Sentinel-1A/B missions, freely available at a global scale via the Copernicus program of the European Space Agency (ESA). Efficient InSAR analysis in the era of Sentinel demands working with cloud-based platforms to tackle problems posed by large volumes of data. In this study, we explore a variety of existing cloud-based platforms for Multi-Temporal Interferometric SAR (MTI) analysis and discuss their opportunities and limitations.

ANTHROPOGENIC DISASTERS ON BULGARIAN TERRITORY: CHEMICAL ACCIDENTS ON LAND AND AT SEA

Natural and anthropogenic disasters become more frequent worldwide. As technology advances, the risk of major industrial accidents increases. Often accidents in the chemical and oil industry, in agriculture, or during transportation, lead to mass poisoning and extensive environmental pollution. The particularities of the medical support in case of such chemical incidents are challenging the healthcare system. The article aims to analyze the chemical accidents and the measures taken to reduce their effect in Bulgaria and in the Black sea aquatory. Historical and documentary methods have been used to gather information on disasters and accidents in Bulgaria, where toxic chemicals have been released into the environment, causing material damage and human casualties. We have researched and analyzed various articles and publications in Bulgarian and foreign scientific journals on the subject. Major industrial and transport accidents in the last 50-60 years on land and water had been selected from the literature sources. Both the reasons that led to them and the measures which were taken to eliminate the consequences were discussed. The major industrial accidents with a release of industrial toxic substances into the environment are relatively common and result in contaminating large areas and many casualties. Chemical accidents at sea are indicative of the need for joint action by different organizations to quickly overcome and avoid environmental impact. The risk of industrial poisonous substances entering the environment is significant and measures to avoid such accidents have to be taken, as well as training of a wide range of health professionals and the general public on the proper behaviour in case of a chemical disaster.

Range-wide population genetic analysis of Seaside Sparrows (Ammospiza maritima) supports at least five distinct population segments that do not align with current subspecies descriptions

AbstractAs an obligate salt marsh species, Seaside Sparrows (Ammospiza maritima) are vulnerable to numerous threats including climate change, coastal erosion, sea-level rise, and both natural and anthropogenic disasters. Of the 9 recognized subspecies, 2 are extinct and 1 is endangered. Previous genetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite loci showed that current taxonomy does not accurately reflect underlying genetic diversity, with possible consequences for the distribution of conservation resources. To further inform Seaside Sparrow management, we comprehensively describe genetic structure among 24 range-wide sampling locations that include all extant subspecies. We inferred population structure from several thousand single-nucleotide polymorphisms collected from 272 individuals via restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing. Principal components, pairwise FST values, and clustering approaches suggest that Seaside Sparrows on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts are distinct and consist of at least 5 genetic clusters: 1 in southern Texas, 1 ranging from Aransas County, Texas, to Mississippi; 1 in western Florida; and 2 or 3 genetic groups intermixed along a gradient on the Atlantic Coast. These genetic clusters are not consistent with current subspecies taxonomy and could be used as distinct population segments (DPSs) to inform the most efficient allocation of resources to Seaside Sparrow conservation. Our results regarding the endangered subspecies, A. m. mirabilis, from southern Florida are inconclusive due to low sample size, but indicate that it is distinct and may represent a sixth DPS. Based on our genetic results, we recommend additional song and morphometric analyses in western Florida and a closer study of the boundary between the breeding distributions of A. m. maritima and A. m. macgillivraii to ensure the proper identification of DPSs.

THE FACTORS OF INFLUENCE ON THE QUALITY OF TOURIST SERVICES IN THE REGION

The article considers the main directions of the quality assurance of tourist services at the region's level. We proved that the qualitative development of tourist regions requires changes in the structure of production of a tourist product and significant changes in the organization of its production. The current state of services in the regions of Ukraine is under the impact of a significant number of factors. The main determinants are the "COVID-19" pandemic spread, increasing number of natural and anthropogenic disasters, the spread of terrorism and hostilities, et cetera. All these factors hinder the development of services. However, to promote domestic tourism as one of the areas of service in Ukraine, the pandemic was more resultative than joined industry reforms. Today, there is an increase in domestic tourists, and the tourism industry could get significant profits from the surge of domestic tourism. However, most of these trips are self-organized. In addition, most current tourists are looking for new experiences that allow relaxing, see and hear, and feel, taste, try, and learn about the area through cuisine, traditions, and ceremonies to take part in them. Therefore, we tried to substantiate new ways to improve the quality of service in the regions of Ukraine. The analysis of factors influencing the quality of regional tourist services is essential for the future development

Collapse of a Coastal Revetment Due to the Combined Effect of Anthropogenic and Natural Disturbances

Coastal structures, such as revetments, are built to protect specific areas and facilities from the attack of extreme waves. However, unexpected environmental damage could be induced from these structures when inappropriately applied. Here, we present the results of measurements carried out using a video monitoring system, indicating the rapid collapse of a coastal revetment due to the attack of storm waves. The destruction occurred in sequence; that is, it was initiated by human activities, followed by a natural disaster. First, the beach in front of the revetment was eroded, even under moderate wave conditions, because sediments transported into this area were blocked by a rip-rap jetty. After the beach width was severely reduced due to the erosion, the revetment collapsed when storm waves attacked the area. The destruction seems accidental and inevitable because it was directly caused by the storm. However, it could have been avoided by predicting and preventing the erosion due to the jetty. This study provides insights into sequential processes that lead to the failure of coastal revetments, which could be applied for prevention of similar anthropogenic disasters.

The creation of a virtual museum contributes to the providing the most effective diagnosis of parasitosis

Conduction. The recognition diagnosis of helminths and protozoa invasion is one of the current and almost unresolved problems in modern parasitology. For the present, the lack of a standardized museum of parasitic pathogens in Russia and abroad complicates a parasitologist’s already hard work. The population urbanization, increased anthropogenic pressure, climate change, and natural disasters lead to the occurrence of favorable conditions for the development, long-term survival, and spread of pathogens of parasitic diseases in various environmental objects. The deterioration of the population socio-economic conditions, the emergence of interethnic conflicts in the world led to large-scale migration flows from countries near and far abroad to Russia, which led to an increase in pathogens circulating in the territory of the Russian Federation. The aim of our research was to improve the methodological support and create virtual slides with the image of larvae and eggs of helminths, as well as cysts and oocysts of pathogenic protozoa recorded on the territory of the Russian Federation based on digital scanner microscopes. Material and methods. The authors used scanner microscopes with the software module “Parasitology.” Results. An up-to-date register of photo images of more than 40 species of parasitic pathogens of medical significance and 53 species of pathogens of parasitic diseases of animals that pose a danger to human life has been delivered. Discussion. The authors are always working on improving the technical characteristics of digital analyzers. Conclusion. Updating the atlas, creating a new advanced gallery of helminth eggs, larvae, cysts, and oocysts of pathogenic protozoa will significantly increase parasitological studies’ effectiveness in sanitation and the analysis of intestinal microbiota.

Modeling simultaneous supply and demand shocks in input-output networks

Natural and anthropogenic disasters frequently affect both the supply and demand side of an economy. A striking recent example is the Cover-19 pandemic which has created severe industry-specific disruptions to economic output in most countries. Since firms are embedded in production networks, these direct shocks to supply and demand will propagate downstream and upstream. We show that existing input-output models which allow for binding demand and supply constraints yield infeasible solutions when applied to pandemic shocks of three major European countries (Germany, Italy, Spain). We then introduce a mathematical optimisation procedure which is able to determine best-case feasible market allocations, giving a lower bound on total shock propagation. We find that even in this best-case scenario network effects substantially amplify the initial shocks. To obtain more realistic model predictions, we study the propagation of shocks bottom-up by imposing different rationing rules on firms if they are not able to satisfy the emergence of input bottlenecks, making the rationing assumption a key variable in predicting adverse economic impacts. We further establish that the magnitude of initial shocks and network density heavily influence model predictions.

Understanding Risk Communication and Willingness to Follow Emergency Recommendations Following Anthropogenic Disasters

Communities in close proximity to petrochemical and industrial pursuits are at particular risk of anthropogenic hazards. It is vital for these communities to have an effective and functioning warni...

President’s Farewell Message: The Anthropocene, Earth Jurisprudence, and the Rights of Nature

A new paradigmatic shift in confronting the climactic endgame of the Anthropocene in Asia is in order. Scientific studies warned that Asia would become the epicentre of anthropogenic catastrophes and environmental disasters in the world. As the outgoing Asian Law and Society Association (ALSA) president, I wish to contribute to critical discussions on two issues: (1) Earth Jurisprudence and (2) the Rights of Nature. These legal concepts must be critically examined, dis- cussed, and developed by socio-legal researchers and policy-makers in order to avert the impending crises of the Anthropocene in Asia. This report examines the recent development of a robust move- ment toward Earth Jurisprudence in multiple countries of Asia, the Americas, and the Pacific—that is, countries that have recently enshrined the concept of the Rights of Nature into their legal system through transforming nature into rights-bearing entities in order to protect them from harmful human activities. Failing any significant remedial measures, many Asian cities, shores, and coastlines, includ- ing the archipelagos of multiple island states in the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean may soon disappear due to the many decades of egregious human activities of industrialized countries and the corporate world. A robust system of Earth Jurisprudence must be established, in which the Rights of Nature must be imbedded in the centre of legislative and constitutional discussions and deliberations.

Arctic Reindeer Herding and Ecology: When Economy is Impossible without Safeguarding Ethnocultural Distinctiveness

The paper considers environmental issues related to the field of agriculture in the Russian Arctic exemplified by the research into statutory regulation of economic, cultural and ecological aspects of reindeer herding by a small-numbered indigenous people called the Nenets. Using the example of the Nenets Autonomous Area, the authors provide insight into the measures implemented to control the deer-feeding capacity of pastures for the purposes of sustainable use. The article gives an estimate as to the promptness of actions taken to prevent the loss of cattle across the Yamal Peninsula due to the spread of Siberian plague. While giving prominence to the successful regional practices of Yakutia, the authors also emphasize the necessity for the introduction of amendments to the Russian legislation regarding the procedure of ethnological expert examination to the extent that it shall include the opinions given by the officials of organizations representing the interests of small-numbered indigenous peoples inhabiting the territory in question. A legislative gap in the above-mentioned field results in emergency measures replacing preventive measures in the face of potential anthropogenic disasters similar to the one which took place in Norilsk in the summer of 2020. One of the authors was born in the Kanin tundra of the Nenets Autonomous Area and represents an indigenous and nomadic Nenets people.

President’s Farewell Message: The Anthropocene, Earth Jurisprudence, and the Rights of Nature

AbstractA new paradigmatic shift in confronting the climactic endgame of the Anthropocene in Asia is in order. Scientific studies warned that Asia would become the epicentre of anthropogenic catastrophes and environmental disasters in the world. As the outgoing Asian Law and Society Association (ALSA) president, I wish to contribute to critical discussions on two issues: (1) Earth Jurisprudence and (2) the Rights of Nature. These legal concepts must be critically examined, discussed, and developed by socio-legal researchers and policy-makers in order to avert the impending crises of the Anthropocene in Asia. This report examines the recent development of a robust movement toward Earth Jurisprudence in multiple countries of Asia, the Americas, and the Pacific—that is, countries that have recently enshrined the concept of the Rights of Nature into their legal system through transforming nature into rights-bearing entities in order to protect them from harmful human activities. Failing any significant remedial measures, many Asian cities, shores, and coastlines, including the archipelagos of multiple island states in the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean may soon disappear due to the many decades of egregious human activities of industrialized countries and the corporate world. A robust system of Earth Jurisprudence must be established, in which the Rights of Nature must be imbedded in the centre of legislative and constitutional discussions and deliberations.

Systematic mapping of disaster risk management research and the role of innovative technology.

Globally, disaster risk management (DRM) has gone through a criterion transpose from static to a technology-based proactive approach in managing disasters including natural and anthropogenic disasters. This study aimed at exploring this research niche and to identify the main topical issues currently underway, such as the most disaster risk management techniques and prevalent geographical locations using scientometrics techniques. The result reveals that studies on DRM during the period of investigation witnessed an increase from early 2000 and peaking in 2017 followed by 2016 with a Kolmogorov-Smirnoff goodness-of-fit of 0.9672. More so, there exists a decline in year 2018 with about 144 published articles on DRM. However, research output fluctuated during the survey period between 1990 and 2004; for instance, the result shows that the research published on DRM in year 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 are six, seven, five, seven, three and seven articles, respectively. In this study, the contribution of different nations and country collaboration to different sub-categories of disasters was examined. Global distributions of scientific articles tailored to DRM research across different environmental and disaster issues that demonstrate the development of analytical tools used to detect them and the researchers' production from various nations in both developed and developing countries were evaluated. Despite the recurrence of climate-related disasters in some parts of the world, relevant studies, disaster impacts and support systems remain poorly understood and not well explored.

The effects of resilience and familiarity on the relationship between CSR and consumer attitudes

PurposeThis study aims to explore the effects of consumer resilience and brand familiarity on the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and consumer attitudes toward the company conducting CSR in places that have suffered from traumatic events such as natural or anthropogenic disasters and uncertainty of public health issue.Design/methodology/approachThis study collected survey-based data from 194 participants who suffered from natural and anthropogenic disasters in the state of Texas. Path analysis was used to test each structural relationship among variables after verifying the reliability and validity of each variable. Analysis of variance was used to investigate the difference in resilience between the two groups.FindingsThis study verified that there is a positive relationship between CSR and consumer attitude. More importantly, the results show that both resilience and familiarity play an important role as a mediator in the relationship between CSR and attitudes. In particular, it tells us that a group with high resilience shows a higher possibility of having positive attitudes toward the company than another group having low resilience.Originality/valueThis study empirically tested the impacts of CSR, resilience and brand familiarity on building consumer attitudes. Furthermore, this study explored the effects of resilience and brand familiarity on the relationship between CSR and attitudes. Thus, this study was able to contribute to understanding the effects of CSR, resilience and familiarity on building a positive attitude in the specific settings, in terms of traumatic events, theoretically and practically.

Long‐term monthly climate data at the forest stations of Kyoto University

AbstractLong‐term climate monitoring by universities provides fundamental data for various disciplines in the natural sciences. Kyoto University once managed 10 university forest stations and is currently managing five. At these stations, climate data have been monitored almost since the establishment of each station until today, with the exception of the stations in foreign countries. We compiled and report the monthly climate data at these forest stations from the start of monitoring until December 2018. These data are important for investigating environmental changes in East Asia, including China (Taiwan), South Korea (Chosen) and Russia (Sakhalin, Karafuto) over the last 100 years. Long‐term monitoring often involves minor and major changes in the monitoring procedures, devices and even monitoring sites due to unavoidable circumstances, such as technological advances, changes in standard methods and climatic and anthropogenic disasters. Therefore, associated metadata on the monitoring methods are also important. We also compiled metadata on changes in monitoring methods. In addition, to examine the effects of changes in the methods on the observed climate data, we compared the values recorded before and after the change for each climate variable at each monitoring site. Methodological changes affected only a few variables, with the exception of humidity. Careful interpretation may be required when a researcher uses humidity data in any analysis.The complete data set for this abstract published in the Data Paper section of the journal is available in electronic format in MetaCat in JaLTER at http://db.cger.nies.go.jp/JaLTER/metacat/metacat/ERDP-2020-03.1/jalter-en.

The Brumadinho Dam Rupture Disaster, Brazil 2019: Analysis of the Narratives about a Disaster from the Perspective of Disaster Law

Tailings dam failures with catastrophic consequences are, unfortunately, nothing new in our country. And yet, Disaster Law, a branch of legal practice that highlights the role of the juridical system in reducing the underlying vulnerabilities of these events, is still not widely known. Law plays a central role in the management of catastrophic events. A disaster is the result of social and physical vulnerabilities. In disasters caused by economic activities (anthropogenic or technological disasters), there is an added emphasis on technological vulnerability as a key to identify asymmetries and failures in the flow of information fundamental for the occurrence of the disaster. Based on these premises and on a narrative reconstruction methodology, this article aims to clarify the role of law in events such as this, in order to learn from destructive cycles and prevent new ones.

Post-pandemic Science & Technology Education

Much of the world is experiencing a crisis in which many ‘instructional packets’ (SARS-CoV-2 viruses) have commandeered ‘machinery’ of living beings to propagate themselves — regardless of surrounding harms their self-interested purposes may cause. Although they have, indeed, caused massive global disruption, crises linked to hegemonic actors are not uncommon. Capitalists, like viruses, conscript various living and nonliving entities to serve them and, in their persistent — and, generally, highly-successful — pursuit of profit, are said to be responsible for numerous social injustices and much environmental devastation, such as climate disruption and nuclear war (Ripple et al., 2020). Accordingly, like viral pandemics, many suggest that capitalism is a ‘pandemic’ and also must be eliminated — and, some would suggest, replaced with eco-socialist worlds. Capitalism seems, however, to be extremely resilient, often able to survive different crises and, sometimes, capable of emerging even stronger. In this vein, Naomi Klein (2007) suggests that capitalists and others have routinely exploited natural and anthropogenic disasters — using societal destabilization to further implement pro-capitalist policies, often at expense of well-being of many people (e.g., gig workers), societies (e.g., under surveillance) and environments (e.g., climate change). The CoViD-19 pandemic, however, may be a special kind of crisis — perhaps opening doors to more non-capitalist futures. Although enabling, for instance, more for-profit surveillance, it also may have disaggregated capitalist networks to the point of severe weakening and, in doing so, enlightened many people about pre-crisis neoliberal and populist infrastructures that may have contributed to this and other crises. Such conscientization may, in turn, have emboldened many to work for better futures. Given roles of science and technology (S&T) in capitalist empowerment, a natural place for such transformation may be science and technology education. In this paper, a framework for S&T education showing promise in this regard is described and defended. Nevertheless, those wishing societal transformation towards more eco-socialist futures need to engage multiple and diverse living, non-living and symbolic entities in ways that may generate networks supportive of such transformations.