Cemetery Area Research Articles

Physical, Chemical And Bacteriological Indicators Of Well Water Around A Necropolis Located In The Urban Area Of The Municipality Of Paraíso Do Tocantins

During the months of September 2023 to July 2024, groundwater samples were collected at 10 sampling sites, distributed in the Sector Oeste neighborhood, in the city of Paraíso do Tocantins, state of Tocantins, with the aim of assessing the quality of groundwater captured in tube wells potentially used for human consumption. For all the groundwater samples, the physicochemical parameters ammonia, chloride, apparent color, hardness, nitrate, nitrite, pH, turbidity and microbiological total and thermotolerant coliforms were analyzed. Based on these results and in order to better understand the physicochemical behavior of these waters, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to carry out a more complete evaluation of the original data. The physicochemical and microbiological parameters assessed in the groundwater collected showed that 90% of the wells had pH values below those recommended in Ordinance GM/MS No. 888/2021 and the presence of total and thermotolerant coliforms in all the water samples from the wells analyzed, which is in disagreement with the legislation. In addition, the PCA explained 49.84% of the total variance of the data, making it possible to assess the degree of similarity between the samples. It is important to have more reliable monitoring and assessment of groundwater in cemetery areas and prior knowledge of the chemical composition of this water, as this is the only way to assess whether any parameter is altered, even if its concentration is equal to or lower than that considered naturally occurring by current legislation.

Features of the microbiome of burial soils

Introduction. On the territory of the Russian Federation, as well as worldwide, a large amount of space is allocated for burials. The soils found in the burial areas have their own characteristics. In the scientific literature there is a few works devoted to the problem of hygienic assessment of cemeteries from the point of view of their impact on the environment, as well as on the population living next to necrosols or working on them. Depending on the chemical and biological effects, the microbial composition of the soil changes. This process is influenced by many factors, including humidity, the initial content of organic and mineral substances, level of acidity, structure of the soil and peculiarities of the course of intra-soil gas-phase reactions. The key participants in the decomposition of organic material are bacteria and fungi, the diversity and dynamics of which directly depend on the degree of soil contamination with pollutants. The purpose of this study was to analyze the microbiota of cemetery soil in its various layers. Materials and methods. The cemeteries of Moscow (NikoloKhovanskoye, Nikolo-Arkhangelskoye, Perepechenskoye), Moscow (Mytishchenskoye, Domodedovo), Tula (Municipal Cemetery No. 1 of the Municipal State Enterprise of the Municipal Formation of the City of Tula Combine of Specialized Services), Kursk (old city cemetery Kurchatov), Krasnoyarsk (Zheleznogorsk) regions and Altai (Yarovoye) Krais were selected as research objects for assessing the microbiome of soils. Results. The most common bacterial pathogens were found to be Enterococcus spp. (81%), Bacillus spp. (75%) and E. coli (45.1%). Mushrooms of Penicillium spp.. were isolated from 61% of the samples. The revealed microbiota profiles of the samples of the studied cemetery soils reflect the microbial composition of humans, which allows substantiating the main methods and algorithm for identifying decomposition processes depending on the time frame of burials. Limitations. The limitation of the study is due to the risk of contact with cemetery soil was not assessed, since not all genera of isolated microorganisms could be identified by their biochemical properties. Conclusion. Studies conducted in cemetery areas have shown how diverse the soil microbiome is in burial sites and varies depending on the depth of sampling. The microbiota profiles of cemetery soil samples identified during the study reflect the lifetime microbial composition of the human body, which makes it possible to substantiate approaches to identifying decomposition processes depending on the time frame of burials.

The southeasternmost area of the long barrow cemeteries of the Funnel Beaker culture in the 4th millennium BC. The case of two newly investigated structures in Pawłosiów forest (Subcarpathian loess region, Poland) in the context of the settlement network

Abstract The eastern part of the Subcarpathian loess region (the Rzeszów Foothills and the Lower San Valley) may now be referred to as the southeasternmost zone of the occurrence of the long barrow cemeteries of the Funnel Beaker culture. In recent times, new intriguing mounds have been discovered in Pawłosiów forest through the utilisation of LiDAR data sources. In order to investigate whether these structures are long barrows built by “beakers” communities, we have carried out preliminary geophysic research, geological drillings, and lithological analysis. As a result, we confirmed the anthropogenic origin of both structures. The main feature registered during the fieldwork was the lithological and stratigraphical difference between the mounds and their direct geological context. Moreover, a presence of an archaeological feature was identified within the frontal part of one of the mounds. These facts, together with key information regarding the location of both earthen structures in the field and their spatial relationship to the nearby FBC settlement at site 52 in Pawłosiów, suggest that they may be relics of the FBC long barrows. In this study, we also discussed these mounds in the context of their spatial-chronological position in the settlement network(s). It is plausible that the inhabitants of Pawłosiów 52 settlement were responsible for the construction of both long barrows in the period ca. 3650–3400 BC. Additionally, we do not exclude the possible alternative (non-funeral) functions and meanings of the cemetery.

MONITORING OF BOUNDARIES OF IMMOVABLE OBJECTS OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE BY CARTOMETRIC METHOD

Today, the most effective methods of studying polygonal objects of historical and cultural heritage are cartometric and remote (mainly based on the processing of remote sensing data). If necessary, also use archeology, but only after using the specified methods. This work presents the application of the cartometric method using GIS technologies on the example of determining the boundaries of Jewish cemeteries in the village of Gornostaypil, Kyiv region, which is located on the border of the Chernobyl thirty-kilometer exclusion zone, and in the village of Olyka, Volyn region. Today, the territory of the cemeteries is not used for burials, and in the Soviet period, in the village of Gornostaypil, it was built up with administrative and economic buildings, in the village of Olyka, partly by the private sector. Both archival and modern cartographic products and remote sensing data served as input data. Thus, all cartographic products are small-scale, due to the display of objects and the generalization of the border and area of cemeteries, they are displayed distorted, so their use is conditioned by the study of the dynamics of the elevation of cemeteries. To display the historical boundaries of objects in the modern urban planning picture, plans of cemeteries on a scale of 1:500 were created using geodetic methods using GNSS surveying.

Pendidikan Al-Qur’an Sebagai Upaya Membentuk Karakter Anak Melalui Asmantoga di Boyolali

Loss of character as a person who upholds the values of Pancasila. Such as negligence in carrying out worship to God Almighty, and loss of people's concern for the environment. In forming this character, various supporting factors are needed to be used as signposts in morals. In addition to these supporting factors, it is necessary to know about the conditions and conditions and potentials that exist in the environment. Since ancient times, Indonesia is famous as the best spice producing country in the world. In the empowerment of spices in several regions of Indonesia known as Asmantoga. Since ancient times, Indonesia is famous as the best spice producing country in the world. In the empowerment of spices in several regions of Indonesia known as Asmantoga. In this regard, to support declining moral and moral conditions by analyzing the conditions of the surrounding environment, community service activities in the KKN-T Kersodarma UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta group 149 real work lecture program were carried out in Dusun. Soko, Village. Jenengan Palm Oil District, Boyolali Regency, In this case, members of the Real Work Lecture (KKN) group 149 have an innovation to preserve the living fence located in the cemetery area of Soko Hamlet, seeing the number of vacant land and plants that die because they are not maintained. This research program is a field research that uses qualitative methods. The sources of data obtained in this study are observations and interviews as well as from several journals and books. In its implementation, the Asmantoga empowerment program is carried out in accordance with the problems that have occurred by conducting a problem analysis together with the Soko Hamlet apparatus. The implementation of this activity involves TPQ students, this is intended for character building for the children of Soko Hamlet students to create a sense of care, responsibility and love for the environment. So that to create the formation of student character related to a sense of care, responsibility and love for the environment, an understanding is needed by providing education through a learning process that is manifested in a short learning design (RPP) about plants or environmental components and planting practices and awareness of the importance of preserving the environment. Keywords: Qur'an Education (TPQ), Character, Asmantoga

THE INFLUENCE OF THE HALAL TOURISM CONCEPT AGAINST EMPOWERMENT THE ECONOMY OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN TEBUIRENG JOMBANG. (Study in Gus Dur Tebuireng Jombang Cemetery Area)

Abstract The purpose of the study is to describe the implementation of the concept of halal tourism in the tourist attraction of Gus Dur's cemetery area and to determine the influence of the concept of halal tourism both partially and simultaneously on the economic empowerment of civil society in Tebuireng Jombang. This type of research is quantitative. The results of this study shows that: There is an influence of the concept of halal tourism (Ad-din, An-Nafs, Al-"Aql, An-Nasl and Al-Maal) on the economic empowerment of civil society. This statement is proven by regression tests. In the F test table with a value of 6.737 >2.08. And significant values of 0.000 < 0.05. Then H0 is rejected and H1 is accepted. And in the T test table with results of 4.648 > 1.960 and significant values of 0.000 < 0.05. Then H0 is rejected and H1 is accepted. Keyword: Halal Tourism, Economic Empowerment and Civil Society.

Urban cemeteries: The forgotten but powerful cooling islands

Urban parks play a key role in UHI mitigation. However, the role of other prominent types of urban green infrastructure has not been comprehensively studied. Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the role of cemeteries and allotments as cooling islands compared to the well-studied park areas. We assessed the LST of cemeteries, allotments and parks based on Landsat 8 TM images across the five largest German cities during summertime. Random forest regressions explain the LST spatial variability of the different urban green spaces (UGS) with spectral indices (NDVI, NDMI, NDBaI) as well as with tree characteristics (tree type, tree age, trunk circumferences, trunk height or canopy density). As a result, allotments were identified as the hottest UGS with the city means varying between 23.1 and 26.9 °C, since they contain a relatively high proportion of sealed surfaces. The LST spatial variability of allotment gardens was best explained by the NDVI indicating that fields with a higher percentage of flowering shrubs and trees reveal lower LST values than those covered by annual crops. Interestingly, cemeteries were characterized as the coolest UGS, with city means between 20.4 and 24.7 °C. Despite their high proportion of sealed surfaces, they are dominated by old trees resulting in intensive transpiration processes. Parks show heterogeneous LST patterns which could not be systematically explained by spectral indices due to the variability of park functionality and shape. Compared to parks, the tree-covered areas of cemeteries have a higher cooling potential since cemeteries as cultural heritage sites are well-protected allowing old tree growth with intensive transpiration. These findings underline the relevance of cemeteries as cooling islands and deepen the understanding of the role of tree characteristics in the cooling process.

Soil contamination in a cemetery area: a case study in Nova Hartz City—RS, Brazil

We conducted a study in a cemetery area covering 2608.53 m2 in the municipality of Nova Hartz, Metropolitan Region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. Soil samples were collected to determine the physicochemical parameters of the local soil at nine points within the study area and at three different depths (0 cm, 50 cm, and 120 cm). Granulometry and saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil were assessed, and chemical analyses for Cadmium, Cobalt, Copper, and Chromium were performed using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry technique.The results revealed that the soil exhibited average values of 78.34% sand, 8.25% silt, and 13.41% clay, classifying it as sandy loam. The saturated hydraulic conductivity was measured at 5.7 × 10–4 cm s−1 across the profile (from 0 to 120 cm). Chemical analyses identified concentrations exceeding the allowed limits for Cadmium (points 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9), Cobalt (points 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8), and Copper (points 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8), with only two values for Chromium (both at point 7). Some points exhibited concentrations above the maximum allowed values at multiple depths. Evaluating vertical distribution, Cadmium did not show depth variations, suggesting a possible natural origin unrelated to cemetery activities. Conversely, Copper, Cobalt, and Chromium displayed increased concentrations with depth. In conclusion, significant changes in concentrations of Cadmium, Cobalt, and Copper were observed, especially between depths of 0 and 120 cm.

Rethinking about Tangible Cultural Heritage Like Architect Sinan in The Digital Age: A Synthesis between The Ages

The study is to endeavor to design proposals that will enrich the visiting experience of the architectural sites built by Sinan in line with the desires, needs, and expectations of modern-day visitors, assuming that Architect Sinan lived in today's digital age. Based on the steps of multimedia development method, technology-based recommendations have been developed for three architectural sites: the Süleymaniye Mosque, its cemetery area, and the tomb, all of which were constructed by Sinan. The on-site observation method and observation forms were utilized. Additionally, written sources (such as autobiographies, books, articles, inventories, etc.) and visual sources (documentaries) were consulted to explore Sinan's exceptional personality and construction techniques. Based on the findings from on-site observations, the following stages, enriched with visuals, are proposed as recommendations: designing a large-sized digital book, measuring 1.5x1 meters, where visitors can turn the pages by moving their hands in the air inside the mosque. Developing a matrix barcode system within the cemetery area, containing information about the individuals buried there, including important details about their lives. Creating a virtual reality application and simulation that starts with an audio narration of Sinan's own life story and then guides visitors to his tomb by describing its location.

Evaluating Groundwater Quality Using Multivariate Statistical Analysis and Groundwater Quality Index

Under pressure from surface water pollution and climate change, groundwater becomes a critical water source. Information on groundwater quality could contribute to effective groundwater management. This study was carried out to utilize multivariate statistical analysis and the groundwater quality index (GWQI) to evaluate groundwater quality in Ca Mau Province, Vietnam. Twenty-five groundwater samples from residential-urban areas, cemetery areas, landfill areas, and saline intrusion areas were collected for this study. Groundwater quality was evaluated using the National Technical Regulation on Groundwater Quality (QCVN 09-MT:2015/BTNMT) and GWQI. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify potential polluting sources and key variables influencing groundwater quality. Cluster analysis (CA) was applied to cluster groundwater quality, and the sites were recommended for future monitoring. The results revealed that NH4+-N contaminated groundwater in the landfill area, while the saline intrusion area was polluted by TDS and NH4+-N. The groundwater quality classified as excellent, good, poor, and very poor accounted for 44, 40%, 12%, and 4%, respectively. Cluster analysis divided groundwater quality into four groups, mainly based on the presence of NH4+-N and TDS. Nine groundwater sampling locations could be removed from the current groundwater quality program but still ensuring representativeness as a result of CA. PCA proposed two main sources of variation in groundwater quality at each residential-urban area: the cemetery area, the landfilling area, and the saline intrusion area. The groundwater parameters (i.e., pH, TDS, permanganate index, NH4+-N, NO3--N, and Fe) should be continued to monitor. Domestic and industrial wastewater discharge, leachate from cemeteries and landfills, the nature of groundwater aquifers, and seawater intrusion could be potential sources of groundwater variation. The current findings provide scientific information for local environmental authorities to manage and monitor groundwater quality in the study area. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-03-03 Full Text: PDF

DAWNE WIEJSKIE CMENTARZE PRZYKOŚCIELNE W OBRĘBIE WSPÓŁCZESNEGO MIASTA SZCZECIN

The aim of this article was to indicate the transformations that have occurred and continue to occur within the space of the old rural church cemeteries located within the contemporary administrative boundaries of the city of Szczecin. By combining source materials and documentation regarding the history of the discussed cemeteries with an analysis of their current state, it was possible to identify which components of their historical landscape have survived to the present day and what their significant values are. The research results showed that within the areas of the former church cemeteries, few traces of their former function have survived. However, as long as the church is in use, there is a chance to preserve remnants of this heritage, although inevitable transformations arising from contemporary users' needs are also occurring

The Sustainability of Settlement Existence in Makam Kampong. Case Study Kemlaten Makam Kampong in Cirebon City, West Java

Makam Kampong or cemetery village is a settlement located in the cemetery area. Residents live in the cemetery area due to the phenomenon of limited land in urban. The purposes of this study are to examine the condition of settlements in the cemetery, both in terms of a house condition, facilities, and infrastructure, and also to examine the sustainability and livability factors that make residents continue to live in Makam Kampong. The research method used is the descriptive qualitative method. The cases taken were the Kemlaten Makam Kampong, Cirebon. The results of this research are the condition of settlements in Kemlaten have adequate conditions with four types of houses. There are some mosques and schools surrounding kampong. The condition of some of the roads is still in soil and the drainage is still in open drainage. The residents in Kemlaten have various types of jobs owned by the residents and economic facilities. There are open spaces and trees in the cemetery area, road area, and house area in Kemlaten. Cemetery area also as a playground and gathering area. The conclusion is that Kemlaten Makam Kampong has sustainability and livability factors that make the survival of squatter settlements in the cemetery area.

Perkembangan Islam di Kota Medan Pada Masa Sekarang : Study Kasus Perkembangan Islam Kota Medan

Islam first entered Indonesia to be precise in the city of Barus which is located in the Coastal region of Central Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra. This city is 290 KM from the capital, namely Medan, North Sumatra. If taken by land, it might take as long as 7 hours. However, if you are in Sibolga, this city can be reached in just 2 hours. Long before the emergence of the history of the Wali Songo who spread Islamic teachings in Java, to be precise in the 14th century, Islam was already in Barus. In the 7th century AD, Poly historical literature confirms that the Islamic belief in Indonesia was for the first time in Barus. This can be clarified by the existence of an old tomb in the Mahligai cemetery area, Barus. On the tombstone is written the name of Sheikh Rukunuddin who died in 672 AD or 48 H. This confirms that at that time there was a Muslim community.
 Keywords: Islamic history of the present day city of Medan, the development of Islam with electronic media in the city of Medan

Using microgravity techniques in the archaeology case study, the animal cemetery at Saqqara, Egypt

ABSTRACT The use of microgravity technique for the detection of subsurface features is considered a valuable tool in archaeological prospection. The precise and detailed measurements obtained through this method have been crucial for the identification of buried structures. In the animal cemetery of Saqqara, a microgravity survey was conducted using a high-precision relative gravity metre called CG-5 device. This instrument has a standard resolution of 1 microGal (1 microGal = 10−8 m s−2) and a standard deviation of less than 5 microGals. The survey covered the entire animal cemetery, including the Ebbs tunnels, and was processed to calculate the vertical deviations in the area after applying terrain correction (TC). By detecting and delineating local density variations caused by a near-surface void, the microgravity technique was able to identify the presence of a possible void feature, as indicated by the acquired negative anomaly in the residual Bouguer anomalies. The precise gravitation data obtained after correction revealed that both the entrance of the cemetery and the densities of the burial chamber were relatively smaller than the surrounding areas of the animal cemetery in the Saqqara region. The data also showed the presence of two crypts leading to the burial chamber region in the southeast part of the cemetery. However, these preliminary results require further investigation, and the study area needs to be expanded to include a larger area. Additionally, other geophysical methods may be used to confirm the abnormality detected and verify the existence of a burial chamber or other corridors.

Where are the Roman women of Ovilava? A spatio-temporal approach to interpret the female deficit at the eastern Roman cemetery (Gräberfeld Ost) of Ovilava, Austria

In historic and prehistoric populations, the sex ratio can often only be determined based on bioarchaeological analyses of cemeteries. In this context, a so-called female deficit has been described, which clearly contrasts the sex ratio typical of recent populations. The present study aims to analyze the sex ratio in the eastern cemetery (‘Gräberfeld Ost’) of the Roman town Ovilava. This site is located beneath today’s city of Wels in Upper Austria (AUT), in the northwestern region of Noricum. Spatial as well as chronological aspects of the sex ratio were considered. A total of 111 individuals older than 15 years could be included in the analysis. Radiocarbon dating allowed a chronological classification of the burials. In addition, a spatial analysis of the cemetery was carried out using a geoinformation system. For the whole sample, a sex ratio of 200.0 and a marked female deficit were recorded. Considering the individual age classes and the periods separately, an apparent female surplus emerged among individuals younger than 20 years (sex ratio = 62.5). With increasing age class, the proportion of females reduced dramatically; among the over 40-year-olds, the sex ratio was 370.0. There was also an apparent female deficit in the Early Roman and Imperial Roman Periods but an almost balanced sex ratio in the early Middle Ages. Furthermore, the sex proportion varied between the cemetery areas. Consequently, a female deficit occurs mainly during Roman times and in specific areas of the burial ground.

Application of Behavioral Architecture in The Land Arrangement of a Simple Rental Flat, Bong Cino Tomb Area, Madiun City

The city of Madiun is currently experiencing an increase in population with various backgrounds. Based on the description of the problem, a long-term plan is needed to anticipate the population's need for housing. There is a problem that is in the spotlight, namely residents who build homes on the slum land of the Bong Cino Cemetery area and have occupied the area for tens of years with the nature of activities that are contrary to the norm. In the problems that have been described, it is necessary to plan and design flats for residents in the Bong Cino Cemetery area by applying a behavioral architectural theme to be able to communicate with users through sensing the buildings that affect human psychology. The types of research conducted are field studies and literature studies. In collecting data using interview methods, observation methods, documentary methods, and literature methods as well as the types and sources of data used are primary data and secondary data. From the discussion of the problems, it can be concluded that designing the low-cost flat building, namely focusing on land management by applying the concept of macro-defensible space which is applied to land planning, produces a role in the mechanism of action prevention for environmental protection and is expected to be of assistance and benefit to the community and to be able to overcome problems in the Bong Cino Tomb area.

Keragaman dan Resistensi Antibiotik Isolat Bakteri Tanah di Dalam dan Luar TPU Bonoloyo, Surakarta Jawa Tengah

A cemetery acts as an active decomposition site and contains bacteria which most likely have antibiotic resistance. However, related data to the phenomenon is limited. This study aimed to compare the diversity of bacteria inside and outside the cemetery and examine bacterial antibiotic resistance. First, samples were collected from three different spots inside and outside the Bonoloyo public cemetery in Surakarta, Central Java. Then, the bacteria were isolated by spread plate method on NA medium and were observed using Gram staining after 48 hours of incubation. Also, bacterial resistance against cefepime, bacitracine, and ampicilin were examined. As the results, bacterial populations inside and outside the cemetery area are 3.4x106 and 4.6x106 CFU/gram, respectively, with a diversity of 38% and 34%, while 28% of isolates are collected from both areas. The result of morphological observation showed that 15 and 21 isolates are respectively round and irregular, white to yellow colour with raised (16 isolates) and flat (19 isolates) elevation. Gram staining showed 48 isolates are coccus and 2 are bacilli, with 23 isolates of Gram negative and 27 isolates of Gram positive. Bacterial isolates showed resistance against cefepime (50%-50%) and against bacitracine (52%-43%) each from both areas of the cemetery, while resistance against ampicilin was relatively low (33%-21%). The number of bacterial populations and bacterial diversity inside and outside the cemetery area are not significantly different. In fact, the resistance of the soil bacteria population collected from cemetery soil are higher than that collected from soil outside the cemetery.

CONTRIBUTION OF URBAN CEMETERIES TO ECOSYSTEM SERVICES: EVIDENCE FROM TOURISTIC ANTALYA CITY OF TURKEY

Abstract. This study focuses on concretely determining the contribution of cemeteries to the urban ecosystems in Antalya, one of the most important tourism destinations of Turkey. The study covers three cemeteries (Andızlı, Arapsuyu, and Uncalı Cemeteries) located in the city center of Antalya, with an area of 14.02 ha, 5.12 ha, and 22.96 ha, respectively. These areas are classified into two classes as vegetation and non-vegetation to calculate ecosystem services with open access and user-friendly i-Tree Canopy software to calculate the contribution of green areas in the mentioned cemeteries to the regulatory services of the ecosystem. According to the results, the green cover in the Andızlı Cemetery constitutes 81.64% of the total cemetery area and holds 54.35 tons of carbon per year. In terms of combating air pollution, it has been determined that the cemetery contributes to ecosystem services by removing a total of 1085.60 kilos of CO, NO2, O3, SO2, and PM annually. Similarly, with its 4.88% impermeable buildings, 2.93% other impermeable surfaces, 18.55% soil ground, and 73.63% vegetation, the green cover of Arapsuyu Cemetery captures 357.96 kg of pollutants per year. Lastly, Uncalı Cemetery was shown to remove 1466.01 kg of air pollutants and 73.40 tons of carbon. Cemeteries that are part of the green infrastructure system and its contributions to ecosystem services are emphasized among the proposals to be made in line with the 2050 targets of the European Green Deal. In this context, by making legal and administrative additions to the spatial planning throughout the city, the realization of this intention might be accelerated.

QUANTITATIVE STUDY ON GHG EMISSIONS AND THE GWP INFLUENCE OF CEMETERY GREEN SPACE MAINTENANCE BASED ON LCA

Cemetery landscapes are austere and generally require maintenance. The materials and equipment used for maintenance emit greenhouse gases (GHGs). This research aimed to quantify the annual GHG emissions and global warming potential (GWP) indices of traditional and natural cemeteries for more environmentally friendly green and grey facility planning of cemetery areas. Based on life cycle assessment (LCA), in Yorkshire, UK, as an example, traditional cemeteries were found to be mostly established with landscaped cemetery facilities, and natural cemeteries were found to include mostly underground burials covered with wild plants. The average GHG emissions per hm2 in traditional cemetery maintenance (1,552.88 kg/CO2-e) were 1.8 times those in natural cemeteries (870.88 kg/CO2-e). In the cemetery plant community, the mean GHG emissions for grassland maintenance (1,867.65 kg/CO2-e) were 6.7, 2.8 and 2.3 times higher than the woodland, meadow and shrub maintenance values of 280.77, 673.03 and 821.00 kg/CO2-e, respectively. The mean GWP indexes for traditional and natural cemetery green space maintenance were 0.027 and 0.015, respectively, which were generally higher than those for urban green space maintenance (0.010). This research recommends replacing grasslands with wild meadows, reducing the size of ground cemetery facilities and limiting the application of maintenance materials (i.e., irrigation water and pesticides) to reduce the environmental impact of green space in cemeteries.

Evaluating the impact of a cemetery on groundwater by multivariate analysis.

Water analyses in conjunction with hydrological and geotechnical investigations were carried out to assess the potential for groundwater contamination from the decomposition of buried human bodies. Water samples were collected from 2007 to 2018 in three monitoring wells built within the cemetery area. Water quality was evaluated based on the determination of 25 analytical parameters (20 physical-chemical and 5 microbiological). Laboratory data reported by the local sewage water company for water collected in household cisterns located outside the cemetery area were also evaluated. Multivariate analysis showed a similar pattern between iron content, turbidity, and rainfall data collected at the rainfall station closest to the study area. This behavior is a direct consequence of soil leaching (oxisol). The physical characterization of the soil of the unsaturated area above the aquifer indicates that the absorption of body waste by the soil is favored, preventing surface contaminants from reaching the aquifer. This work also found that the water samples collected outside the cemetery area do not comply with the Brazilian limits for drinking water. In conclusion, water samples collected from monitoring wells located within the cemetery area have little to none impact on both subsurface and underground contamination.