Environmental Assessment Research Articles

Оценка качества образовательной среды в детском саду для детей с РАС: методика ECERS-R

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objectives. </strong>When providing comprehensive support for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), it is necessary to create a special educational environment. A study was conducted on the quality of the educational environment of a preschool educational organization for children with ASD using the Early Childhood Environmental Assessment Scale (ECERS-R) tool, which was originally designed to assess the environment in preschools for typically developing children.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods. </strong>The ECERS-R diagnostic methodology evaluates the main components of the educational environment in a preschool organization across seven areas: Space and Furnishings; Personal Care Routines; Language — Reasoning; Activitie; Interaction; Program Structure; Parents and Staff. In 10 groups of children aged 2 to 8 years of special kindergarten for children with ASD “WE ARE TOGETHER”, quality monitoring of the preschool’s work was carried out by both external and internal (staff) experts.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Results. </strong>The strongest aspects of the kindergarten’s educational environment for children with ASD were identified as “Staff-Child Interaction” and “Program Structure”. Lower scores were obtained in the areas of “Language — Reasoning” and “Activities”. The “Space and Furnishings” was rated similarly by both external and internal experts (4.5 points), which indirectly indicates the objectivity of the expert assessment. Internal experts rated their own performance in caring for children with ASD lower, at 3.4 points, while external experts rated the difficulty of caring for children with ASD slightly higher, at 3.6 points.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Conclusions. </strong>In general, kindergarten staff, who work with children in this educational environment on a daily basis, rated its quality significantly higher than external experts. This discrepancy is likely due to the specific nature of the educational environment for children with ASD, as well as the individual characteristics of the children themselves. For a qualitative assessment of the educational environment using ECERS-R in a kindergarten with a special focus, the tool needs to be adapted to better meet the special educational needs of the children. Adding subscales for different conditions seems feasible.</p>

Sustainable mega-seaports with integrated multi-energy systems: Life-cycle environmental and economic evaluation

Ports play a critical role in modern society by acting as crucial links between water and land transportation, and integrating transportation with energy systems. This integration results in a high demand for various types of energy uses, with polluting emissions produced by the diverse energy sources. Integrated renewable energy systems represent promising solutions to achieving high levels of energy supply while lowering carbon footprints. In this research, a framework is proposed for a port multi-energy system that encompasses solar energy, wind energy, a hydrogen system and a number of energy storage systems. The proposed framework is tailored for implementation at Ningbo Zhoushan Port, the largest port globally. Different system design schemes are compared based on the number and rated power of wind turbines. Then, a comprehensive life-cycle economic and environmental assessment of the system is conducted through simulation. The economic and environmental metrics such as LCOE, REF and CO2 emissions are considered. The outcomes demonstrate that the design scheme incorporating two wind turbines with high rated power outperforms others in both environmental and economic metrics. Over the life-cycle, the renewable energy fraction exceeds 72%, and the levelized cost of energy plummets to 0.46 yuan/kWh. The implementation of the proposed port integrated multi-energy system yields substantial environmental and economic benefits. Specifically, it allows for a reduction of 66.68% in CO2 emissions and a cost reduction of 70.94%. These outcomes highlight the potential that the proposed system holds for enhancing environmental sustainability and economic efficiency within the port context.

SEAs for seas: Strategic environmental assessment for more strategic and environmentally-oriented marine spatial planning processes

The foreseen, and already ongoing, substantial increase in offshore renewable energy and corresponding infrastructures urges policymakers and scholars to carefully consider corresponding long-term environmental effects on the marine environment. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is becoming a standard tool for Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) processes for enabling planners to develop more sustainable marine spatial plans. To explore how SEA can contribute to a more strategic and environmentally-oriented MSP practice, four SEA processes from four North Sea countries are examined, building on available SEA documents and semi-structured interviews. The results show that SEAs for MSP can take an exploratory or appraisal-oriented approach. Adopting an exploratory approach can open up comparatively more opportunities for SEA to contribute to MSP than an adopting an appraisal-oriented approach, but it requires an early initiation of the SEA within the larger planning process. Still, it does not imply that there is one single best method. Rather, the institutional context establishes the conditions for SEA processes to contribute to MSP practice. Particularly, the political pressures and prior sectoral policymaking for offshore renewable energy restrict what can be included in the scope of an SEA. Also, the limited knowledge on the larger dynamics of the marine environment complicate the assessment of transboundary and cumulative effects. Therefore, as future research continues working towards a robust scientific knowledge base on the marine environment, it is crucial that scholars and policymakers collaborate on a structural basis to bridge the gap between science and policy implementation.

Monitoring (micro-)pollutants in wastewater treatment plants: Comparing discharges in wet- and dry-weather

Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are crucial for maintaining good quality of surface water, limiting environmental pollution. However, during wet-weather events, WWTPs become an important point-source discharge due to the activation of the bypass, which releases a mix of untreated wastewater and stormwater. This work aims to assess how the WWTP discharges (effluent and bypass) impact on the receiving surface water body during dry- and wet-weather, monitoring 78 pollutants (7 conventional pollutants, 19 heavy metals, and 52 micropollutants) in each stream (effluent during dry-weather, effluent and bypass during wet-weather), including the influent in dry-weather for comparison. The occurrence, concentration levels and variability, and environmental risk were addressed, with a specific focus on high-resolution (up to 20-min) sampling of the bypass, based on the expected relevant temporal dynamicity. A wider range of pollutants occurred in the bypass, included undetected compounds in the dry-weather influent. Besides, a greater inter-events variability in bypass concentrations was observed, but smaller intra-event variability, with only some pollutants exhibiting a distinct first-flush effect. To address the challenge of a cost-effective bypass monitoring, we explored the applicability of readily measurable water quality parameters (total suspended solids and electrical conductivity) as proxies for micropollutants. Correlations between these parameters and specific pollutant groups suggest a promising path for further investigation and broader application. The magnitude of the rain event also affected concentration levels, with event volume clearly affecting pollutants dilution. The environmental risk assessment revealed a significantly higher risk associated to bypass discharge compared to the effluent, especially for conventional pollutants, metals, and terbutryn, highlighting the urgency of improved bypass management strategies. Overall, this study highlights the contribution of wet-weather discharges from WWTPs, emphasizing the importance of high-frequency bypass monitoring to capture peak pollutant concentrations and accurately assess the environmental risk.

Peran Moderasi Dewan Komisaris Independen dan Auditor External Dalam Hubungannya Diantara Pengungkapan Akuntansi Lingkungan dan Nilai Perusahaan

Research objective: To provide empirical evidence of independent boards of commissioners and external auditors in moderating the influence of environmental accounting disclosures on firm value. Method/approach: This research uses multiple regression analysis and purposive sampling method with the sample criteria being firms that take part in the environmental management assessment of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. A total of 112 companies in 2021 and 2022 were used from various sectors except the financial sector. Results: Environmental accounting disclosures, company size, profitability and audit committee were found to have no influence on company size. Meanwhile, the independent board of commissioners and the big four external auditors were found to have an influence on environmental accounting disclosures, however only the independent board of commissioners could moderate the influence of environmental accounting disclosures on firm value. Practical implications: Independent boards of commissioners in natural resource, service and manufacturing firms have exercised their independence as proven by being able to moderate the influence of the spread of environmental accounting on firm value. This may attract the attention and investment interest of investors and stakeholders. Originality/novelty: Making the independent board of commissioners and external auditors as moderating variables, adds evidence to agency theory that simply giving power and appointing firm management is not enough but the independent board of commissioners must carry out independent supervision so that it can increase firm value.

Typical Tire Additives in River Water: Leaching, Transformation, and Environmental Risk Assessment.

Tire wear particles (TWPs) released during vehicle driving can enter water bodies, leading to leaching of tire additives (TAs) in aquatic environments. However, the transformation behavior and related ecological impacts of TAs and their transformation products (TPs) remain unclear. In this study, laboratory-based simulation experiments and field investigations were conducted to explore the transformation mechanisms and ecological risks of TAs. After being placed in river water for 24 h, about 7-95% of 12 investigated TAs in TWPs were leached. Forty-eight TPs from eight TAs were tentatively identified along with different transformation pathways via suspect screening by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Semiquantitative results indicated that TPs derived from N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylene-diamine (6PPD) were predominant in leachates, while aryl hydrolysis and quinone pathways were the main transformation pathways. Field investigations on urban surface water samples from 16 sites in Hong Kong revealed the occurrence of 17 TAs and 1 TP, with concentrations ranging from 13.9 to 2230 ng/L (median ± standard deviation: 226 ± 534 ng/L). Sixteen TPs from six TAs were additionally identified via suspect screening. It is estimated that 6PPD-quinone and seven TAs could pose medium to high ecological risk, while N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-quinonediimine, a frequently detected TP, was identified as a persistent-bioaccumulative-toxic substance.

Going beyond carbon: Influence of structural parameters on the environmental impacts of typical building structures

The construction sector has a large impact on the environment, be it climate change, biodiversity loss or resources depletion. Part of those impacts comes from construction materials, and more specifically, concrete and steel building structures. Early-stage design tools including environmental damage assessment are therefore required to achieve sustainable construction practices. This article presents a parametric approach aiming at studying the influence of early-stage structural parameters on the environmental impacts of a structure. The developed methodology combines parametric structural design with a multicriteria cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment, applied to typical housing structures such as grid based beam column structures with a central core for lateral stability. Results show that span, number of levels and materials greatly influence the environmental impacts of considered structures. Climate change scores per floor area range from 80 kgCO2/m2 for short span timber structure to 215 kgCO2/m2 for long span steel buildings with few levels. Beams and slabs have the largest contribution in such impacts. Changing the production processes of materials is a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, decarbonizing steel production processes or reducing the cement content of concrete participate in burdenshifting with increased scores in several impact categories, such as carcinogenic toxicity or ozone depletion.

Fluorescence and Hyperspectral Sensors for Nondestructive Analysis and Prediction of Biophysical Compounds in the Green and Purple Leaves of Tradescantia Plants

The application of non-imaging hyperspectral sensors has significantly enhanced the study of leaf optical properties across different plant species. In this study, chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) and hyperspectral non-imaging sensors using ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared shortwave infrared (UV-VIS-NIR-SWIR) bands were used to evaluate leaf biophysical parameters. For analyses, principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) were used to predict eight structural and ultrastructural (biophysical) traits in green and purple Tradescantia leaves. The main results demonstrate that specific hyperspectral vegetation indices (HVIs) markedly improve the precision of partial least squares regression (PLSR) models, enabling reliable and nondestructive evaluations of plant biophysical attributes. PCA revealed unique spectral signatures, with the first principal component accounting for more than 90% of the variation in sensor data. High predictive accuracy was achieved for variables such as the thickness of the adaxial and abaxial hypodermis layers (R2 = 0.94) and total leaf thickness, although challenges remain in predicting parameters such as the thickness of the parenchyma and granum layers within the thylakoid membrane. The effectiveness of integrating ChlF and hyperspectral technologies, along with spectroradiometers and fluorescence sensors, in advancing plant physiological research and improving optical spectroscopy for environmental monitoring and assessment. These methods offer a good strategy for promoting sustainability in future agricultural practices across a broad range of plant species, supporting cell biology and material analyses.

Empirical study of facade retrofits for optimizing energy efficiency and cooling in school buildings in Saudi Arabia

Educational buildings in Saudi Arabia are characterized by high energy consumption, primarily due to cooling and lighting demands. This study aims to evaluate and optimize facade retrofitting strategies to improve energy efficiency and evaluate economic performance of many scenarios in Saudi school buildings, aligning with the sustainability objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The research employs a simulation-based optimization methodology utilizing Design Builder software to explore key facade design variables, including Window-to-Wall Ratio, glazing type, local shading devices, and external wall insulation. The methodology is structured in sequential stages: it begins with the collection of base-case data, followed by a data-driven optimization process targeting specific design variables. This is then complemented by an economic and environmental assessment of the optimal retrofit scenarios, ultimately leading to the identification of the most effective energy-saving solution presented at the conclusion of the study. Through an optimization process, the research identifies retrofitting strategies that reduce cooling loads by up to 17 %, lighting energy consumption by 49 % and annual energy costs by 18 %. The study also includes an economic analysis of the retrofits, revealing significant savings in annual electricity costs and a reduction in the building's carbon footprint. This research contributes valuable insights into sustainable building practices, offering practical solutions for improving energy efficiency in the educational sector. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive analysis of facade retrofits within the context of extreme climatic conditions, which provides a replicable model for retrofitting educational buildings across the region. The findings have significant implications for policymakers, architects, and sustainability advocates seeking to meet Saudi Arabia's energy conservation goals.

Comparative Assessment of Environmental Disclosure Practices: A Case Study of Two Leading Oil Companies in India

This study conducts a comparative analysis of the environmental disclosure practices of two leading oil companies in India: OIL and Petronet LNG. By evaluating their sustainability reports and publicly available environmental information, the research assesses key performance areas such as energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water management, waste treatment, and biodiversity conservation. The analysis reveals that both companies exhibit similar environmental disclosure practices, with strengths in energy and emissions management but significant gaps in compliance, biodiversity, and grievance mechanisms. A statistical t-test shows no significant difference between the environmental performance of the two companies, indicating comparable transparency levels. The study highlights the need for both organizations to improve their environmental reporting and align more closely with global sustainability standards, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). Recommendations include enhancing biodiversity conservation efforts, strengthening supplier environmental assessments, and improving compliance with environmental regulations. Keywords: Environmental disclosure, Oil industry, Sustainability reporting, Comparative analysis, India, Greenhouse gas emissions, Energy management, Water usage, Biodiversity, Compliance, Corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Advances in the Application of Sulfonated Poly(Ether Ether Ketone) (SPEEK) and Its Organic Composite Membranes for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs)

This review discusses the progress of research on sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and its composite membranes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). SPEEK is a promising material for replacing traditional perfluorosulfonic acid membranes due to its excellent thermal stability, mechanical property, and tunable proton conductivity. By adjusting the degree of sulfonation (DS) of SPEEK, the hydrophilicity and proton conductivity of the membrane can be controlled, while also balancing its mechanical, thermal, and chemical stability. Researchers have developed various composite membranes by combining SPEEK with a range of organic and inorganic materials, such as polybenzimidazole (PBI), fluoropolymers, and silica, to enhance the mechanical, chemical, and thermal stability of the membranes, while reducing fuel permeability and improving the overall performance of the fuel cell. Despite the significant potential of SPEEK and its composite membranes in PEMFCs, there are still challenges and room for improvement, including proton conductivity, chemical stability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact assessments.

Assessing the prospective environmental impacts and circularity potentials of building stocks: An open‐source model from Austria (PULSE‐AT)

AbstractBuilding stock models can provide information on the current and future environmental impacts of buildings. Therefore, these models are useful tools for identifying trajectories that are compatible with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. However, the models often lack detail, which can lead to underestimations of the actual impacts of national building stocks, resulting in misinformed decision‐making. This study presents the steps needed to create an archetype‐based bottom‐up building stock model that uses Python and Brightway2. Prospective environmental assessments, including circularity assessments, can be performed by combining life cycle assessment (LCA) with material flow analysis (MFA). An important facet of this model is that it supports the development of a practical and easily reproducible method for the high‐precision modeling of a building stock. This model is open source, is readily adaptable to other countries, and does not require programming knowledge. This combined LCA‐MFA method can be used to assess the potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the Austrian building stock in five future scenarios involving sufficiency, energy, material, and design‐related measures. The results show different reduction potentials for embodied and operational GHG emissions depending on the set of measures taken. In all scenarios, mineral and synthetic materials contribute the most to embodied GHG emissions. Finally, the issue of validating building stock models is addressed, and numerous cross‐evaluations are proposed to ensure the reliability of results.

A Deep Learning Framework for Satellite-Derived Surface PM2.5 Estimation: Enhancing Spatial Analysis in the United States

Abstract Monitoring fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is crucial for evaluating air quality and its effects on public health. However, the limited distribution of monitoring stations presents a challenge in accurately assessing air pollution, especially in areas distant from these stations. To address this challenge, our study introduces a two-step deep learning approach for estimating daily gap-free surface PM2.5 concentrations across the contiguous United States (CONUS) from 2018 to 2022, with a spatial resolution of 4 km. In the first phase, we employ a Depthwise-Partial Convolutional Neural Network (DW-PCNN) to fill gaps between surface PM2.5 stations, utilizing Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). In the second phase, we integrate the PM2.5 grids imputed by the DW-PCNN with meteorological and anthropogenic variables into a Deep Convolutional Neural Network (Deep-CNN) to further enhance the accuracy of our estimation. This enables us to estimate gap-free surface PM2.5 concentrations accurately, evidenced by a Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R) of 0.92 and an Index of Agreement (IOA) of 0.96 in ten-fold cross-validation. We also introduce a grid-based method for calculating PM2.5 Design Values (DV), providing a continuous spatial representation of PM2.5 DV that enhances the traditional station-based approach. Our grid-based DV representations offer a comprehensive perspective on air quality, facilitating more detailed analysis. Furthermore, our model's ability to provide spatiotemporally consistent, gap-free PM2.5 data addresses the issue of missing values, supporting health impact research, policy formulation, and the accuracy of environmental assessments.

Improving multiple stressor-response models through the inclusion of nonlinearity and interactions among stressor gradients.

Stressor-response models are used to detect and predict changes within ecosystems in response to anthropogenic and naturally occurring stressors. While nonlinear stressor-response relationships and interactions between stressors are common in nature, predictive models often do not account for them due to perceived difficulties in the interpretation of results. We used Irish river monitoring data from 177 river sites to investigate if multiple stressor-response models can be improved by accounting for nonlinearity, interactions in stressor-response relationships and environmental context dependencies. Out of the six models of distinct biological responses, five models benefited from the inclusion of nonlinearity while all six benefited from the inclusion of interactions. The addition of nonlinearity means that we can better see the exponential increase in Trophic Diatom Index (TDI3) as phosphorus increases, inferring ecological conditions deteriorating at a faster rate with increasing phosphorus. Furthermore, our results show that the relationship between stressor and response has the potential to be dependent on other variables, as seen in the interaction of elevation with both siltation and nutrients in relation to Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) richness. Both relationships weakened at higher elevations, perhaps demonstrating that there is a decreased capacity for resilience to stressors at lower elevations due to greater cumulative effects. Understanding interactions such as this is vital to managing ecosystems. Our findings provide empirical support for the need to further develop and employ more complex modelling techniques in environmental assessment and management.

Environmental Assessment and Restoration of the Hunjiang River Basin Based on the DPSIR Framework

The Hunjiang River, a vital water system in northeastern China, has suffered severe ecological damage due to overexploitation. This study analyzes the basin’s environmental conditions from 2016 to 2020, identifies key restoration factors, and examines practical restoration projects. Investigating five major pollutants (permanganate index, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand, ammonia nitrogen, total phosphorus) in eight sections, the study finds the Xicun section most polluted, mainly from Baishan City’s industrial and domestic discharges. The ammonia nitrogen concentration at the Zian section also shows deterioration. Using a DPSIR (Driving forces, Pressures, State, Impacts, Responses) framework, the study elucidates the relationship between environmental and socio-economic issues. Results indicate that population changes, industrial development, and water resource management have complex ecological impacts. Evaluating the urban water resource carrying capacity with the entropy weight method and correlation coefficient weighting method, the study finds that increasing forest coverage, improving wastewater treatment efficiency, and reducing COD emissions are crucial. Quantitative assessment of integrated protection and restoration projects involving mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, and grasslands demonstrates their positive impact. This research reveals the interplay between the ecological environment and social factors, proposes practical restoration measures, and clarifies project effects, providing reliable decision-making schemes for policymakers.

Kinetics, thermodynamics, and optimization studies using response surface methodology in quinoxalines synthesis with efficient heterogeneous catalysts: environmental sustainability metrics assessment

Kinetics, thermodynamics, and optimization studies using response surface methodology in quinoxalines synthesis with efficient heterogeneous catalysts: environmental sustainability metrics assessment

Suitability Assessment and Optimization of Small Dams and Reservoirs in Northern Ghana

Water shortages, exacerbated by erratic rainfall, climate change, and population growth, pose significant challenges globally, particularly in semi-arid regions like northern Ghana. Despite the construction of numerous small dams in the region that were intended to provide reliable water for domestic and irrigation purposes, critical water issues persist during dry periods. Key drivers in this failure are attributed to the lack of studies and/or the number of inadequate studies on suitable dam siting. This study focused on assessing the sites of selected small dams in northern Ghana, employing various methods such as stream order analysis and the Analytic Hierarchy Process within a Geographic Information System framework. Results showed that many existing dams are poorly sited, with over half located far from major stream networks, resulting in drying out during the dry season and failing to meet sustainable water storage standards. This study proposed new dam locations that would allow achieving a significant increase in storage capacities from 30% to 60%. These results highlight the necessity for decision-makers to adopt research-based approaches to address water shortages effectively, balancing agricultural, domestic, economic, and environmental needs. Future research should integrate climate change considerations, long-term monitoring, environmental impact assessments, and advanced decision-making techniques such as machine learning.

Ecotoxicity and Mutagenicity Assessment of Novel Antifungal Agents VT-1161 and T-2307.

Antifungal substances are essential for managing fungal infections in humans, animals, and plants, and their usage has significantly increased due to the global rise in fungal infections. However, the extensive application of antifungal agents in pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and agriculture has led to their widespread environmental dissemination through various pathways, such as excretion, improper disposal, and agricultural runoff. Despite advances in wastewater treatment, many antifungal compounds persist in the environment, affecting non-target organisms and contributing to resistance development. This study investigates the environmental impact of two novel antifungal agents, VT-1161 and T-2307, recently introduced as alternatives for treating resistant Candida spp. We assessed their ecotoxicity and mutagenicity using multiple bioassays: immobilization of Daphnia magna, growth inhibition of Raphidocelis subcapitata, luminescence inhibition of Aliivibrio fischeri, and mutagenicity on Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100. Results indicate that both VT-1161 and T-2307 exhibit lower toxicity compared to existing antifungal compounds, with effective concentrations (EC50) causing 50% response ranging from 14.34 to 27.92 mg L-1. Furthermore, both agents were classified as less hazardous based on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. Despite these favorable results, further research is needed to understand their environmental behavior, interactions, and potential resistance development among non-target species. Our findings highlight the importance of comprehensive environmental risk assessments to ensure the sustainable use of new antifungal agents.

Policies, Places and Practices: Why Environmental Law Scholars Should Care About the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023

Abstract The Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023 has marked major reforms in how planning law legally conceptualises policies, places and practices. These reforms have an impact not only on the scope of planning law but also on the shape of environmental law in England and Wales. In particular, the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023 changes how different forms of national and local policy legally interact, creates new administrative regulation for protected landscapes and establishes a new framework for environmental impact assessment called the Environmental Outcome Reports. This introduction to the legislation illustrates the importance of understanding the planning law reform for environmental law scholarship more generally.

Assessment results of sites impacted by accumulated environmental damage along the coastline of the Barents Sea (Eastern Murman)

The article discusses the findings from monitoring sites of accumulated environmental damage (AED) along the East Murman coastline. The area surveyed includes the mouth of the Kharlovka River estuary, which is near the Seven Islands Archipelago within the Kandalaksha State Nature Reserve. During a thorough engineering and environmental assessment of the region, an inventory of AED sites was conducted, along with an evaluation of the amount of accumulated waste and an analysis of pollutant levels in the soil. The survey revealed six unauthorized waste disposal sites, primarily consisting of fuel and lubricant containers and scrap metal. Soil testing at two locations within the Barents Sea’s water protection zone indicated significant contamination with oil products, while the levels of metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu) were found to be acceptable. The analysis of soil conditions revealed that degradation within the Kharlovka River estuary began during the operation of a fuel and lubricants storage facility in the area. At the time of the assessment, over a third of the surveyed area lacked a fertile soil layer, and the remaining soil and vegetation were sparse. The degree of contamination by oil products requires the implementation of highly efficient soil remediation methods.