Environmental Impact Assessment Studies Research Articles

Time series (2003–15) analysis of selected physicochemical parameters in Indian Ocean: Cumulative impacts prediction on coral bleaching using machine learning

Coral bleaching is an important ecological threat worldwide, as the coral ecosystem supports a rich marine biodiversity to survive. Sea surface temperature was considered a major culprit; however, later it was observed that other water parameters like pH, tCO2, fCO2, salinity, dissolved oxygen, etc. also play a significant role in bleaching. In the present study, all these parameters of the Indian Ocean area for 15 years (2003–2017) were collected and analysed using machine learning language. The main aim is to see the cumulative impacts of various ocean parameters on coral bleaching. Introducing machine learning in environmental impact assessment studies is a new approach, and the prediction of coral bleaching using simulation of physico-chemical parameters interactions shows 94.4 % accuracy for the prediction of the future bleaching event. This study can be probably the first step in the application of the machine learning language for the prediction of coral bleaching in the field of marine science.

A Study on the Introduction of Impact Assessment System for Coastal Erosion

Recently, the impact of climate change with sea levels rise, abnormal high waves, and continuous construction of artificial structures such as ports and harbors, has led to an increasing trend in coastal erosion. In this study, the scope and method of Environmental Impact Assessment, Utilization of Sea Areas, Disaster Impact Assessment, and Risk Assessment of Coastal Disasters System, which are carried out during development projects and erosion reduction projects carried out on the coast, are analyzed to identify each problem. , we proposed a plan to introduce the Impact Assessment System for Coastal Erosion, which can minimize the impact of coastal erosion by deriving improvement measures.

Environmental Impact Assessment of Onshore Wind Farms in the Region of Central Greece Using a Modified RIAM Method

Wind energy is one of the most basic forms of renewable energy, which shows an increasing rate of development worldwide and also at the European level. However, this rapid deployment of wind farms makes the need for an impact assessment of this type of projects on the natural and man-made environment imperative. The present paper aims to identify and assess the environmental impacts of wind farm projects in the Region of Central Greece. A modified Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) method is used for this purpose. The methodology includes the identification of the existing onshore wind farm projects in the study area, the appropriate modifications of the RIAM method to respond to the characteristics of the projects and the study area, the qualitative assessment of their potential impacts during construction and operational phases and the computation of the Environmental Performance Grade (EPG) of projects based on the pro-posed modified RIAM method. The results reveal that although there are some slight negative impacts on the natural environment of the study area, the examined wind farms contribute positively both to the atmosphere and to the socio-economic environment of the study. This study extends the potential for using RIAM as a tool in environmental impact assessment studies of renewable energy projects.

Advancing energy transition with novel biomass-solar based multigeneration energy system using hydrogen and storage options for sustainable cities

An integrated energy system is designed to produce various useful products, such as hydrogen, electricity, heat and cooling. This integrated plant utilizes various subsystems; solar power system, biomass energy system, steam Rankine cycle (SRC), Brayton cycle (BC), organic Rankine cycle (ORC), double-effect absorption system (DEAS), reverse osmosis system, and sonohydrogen production unit. The specific energetic, exergetic, economic and environmental impact assessment studies are carried out to evaluate the system's performance and sustainability. The engineering equation solver (EES) is used for these studies. The energy efficiencies for the BC, ORC and SRC are recorded as 29.69 %, 10.49 %, and 30 %, respectively. In regard to exergy efficiency, the BC, ORC and SRC achieve the following: 46.74 %, 62.73 %, and 53.43 %, respectively. Furthermore, the DEAS attains energetic and exergetic COPs of 1.67 and 0.65, respectively. Additionally, the overall system's energy and exergy efficiencies are found to be 37.68 % and 71.25 %, respectively. The results from the thermal energy storage system indicate that the heat production begins at 7:00 a.m., and the charging of the storage unit commences two hours after and continues until 5:00 p.m., in coinciding with the availability of sunlight. The economic analysis demonstrates that with an initial investment of $53.80 million, the integrated multigeneration system achieves a net present value ranging from $6.87 million to $173.4 million across different hydrogen selling prices, from $7000 to $13,000 per ton up to 2054.

Carbon intensity of mass timber materials: impacts of sourcing and transportation

Mass timber construction is widely considered a promising alternative construction method to reduce buildings’ total life-cycle carbon emissions because wood is a carbon sink. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels, manufactured by gluing lumber layers with grains at right angles, are potential low-carbon alternatives to carbon-intensive concrete and steel construction. However, most environmental impact assessment studies do not consider variation in transportation impacts within the CLT supply chain when calculating life-cycle impacts. This study investigates the embodied primary energy and the global warming potential (GWP) of CLT supply chain decisions regarding the type of timber species used, the U.S. region it is sourced from, and the location of the CLT mill. Longer transport distances in the supply chain for timber and CLT panels can contribute as much as 923 MJ/m2 (20%) of the embodied primary energy of a CLT building, and the use of a higher-density timber species increases this contribution to 1246 MJ/m2 (24%), with most of that energy derived from fossil energy sources. For perspective, the GWP of a building whose CLT panels and timber have been transported by truck over 6,000 km (252–270 kgCO2/m2) is greater than the GWP of an equivalent reinforced concrete (RC) building (245 kgCO2/m2). Thus, factors like the location of CLT processing facilities and the type of timber species can significantly impact the overall life-cycle assessment and, if chosen appropriately, can mitigate the environmental impacts of CLT construction.

EVALUATION OF DUST EMISSION RATE FROM LANDFILL MINING ACTIVITIES

Mining operations are one of the most significant sources of particulate emissions in the atmosphere. Landfill mining (LFM) process activities, including excavation, screening, shredding, and equipment handling, have the potential to emit particulate matter into the environment as short-term episodic emissions during operational periods. Previous investigations show that LFM activities can potentially cause human health and environmental impacts through exposure of these emissions. This paper evaluates the dust emission rate of such activities to understand factors responsible for higher emissions rate and determine where any pressure points exist in order to mitigate risk. Nine empirical formulas were adopted from surface mining activities, including point, line, and area sources of activity. Parameters identified in the equations were adjusted to LFM application conditions. From emission results, it is observed that point source activities were the major sources of emission. The study area was divided into multiple phases and one phase cumulative for the maximum/average/minimum point sources emissions over the lifetime of the landfill mining operation calculated in this study are approximately 5.04 tonnes (t) / 3.23 (t) / 1.61 (t), respectively. However, the one phase cumulative for the maximum/average/minimum line sources emissions over the lifetime of the landfill mining operation are approximately 100.8 (kg/m) / 40.32 (kg/m) / 20.16 (kg/m), respectively. Mitigation measures to control high emission rate of LFM related activity, such as utilising tankers or bowsers to spray water around the LFM area, to control airborne emissions, should be considered. The results of this research are expected to inform air dispersion modelling for environmental impact assessment studies of air pollution.

Experimental study on the effect of sound stimulation on hearing and behavior of juvenile black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii)

Assessing the potential impacts of wind farm noise on fish is a crucial aspect of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies. There is increasing evidence of disturbances and effects on hearing and behavior in animals. The black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) is a commercially valuable rocky reef fish native to East Asia. However, empirical studies that measure the actual consequences are lacking. In this study, we used auditory evoked potentials (AEP) to assess the effects of dominant frequency noise emitted by offshore wind farms on the auditory sensitivity, hearing threshold, swimming, and feeding behavior of juvenile black rockfish. The experimental findings revealed that the most sensitive sound frequency was 200 Hz, with the lowest hearing threshold recorded at 86.4 ± 3.4 dB re 1 μPa. Following 3 and 7 days of exposure to 200 Hz noise at 110 dB, threshold shifts in black rockfish reached 19.0 dB and 13.3 dB, respectively. During the subsequent recovery phase, these shifts decreased to approximately 9.8 dB after 3 days, respectively. The noise-exposed group exhibited higher swimming duration, moving distance, and caudal fin swing frequency compared to the control group without noise exposure. Furthermore, noise prolonged the feeding rate of black rockfish. Our findings provide the first evidence of noise-induced temporary threshold shift and behavioral disturbances in juvenile black rockfish, implying potential fitness consequences associated with noise pollutant.

Comparative life cycle impact assessment of offshore support vessels powered by alternative fuels for sustainable offshore wind operations using machine learning

Offshore Anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels, a type of offshore support vessel, are critical for the operations related to handling anchors of offshore structures, oil rigs, and wind turbines, towing them to remote deep-sea locations, and securing them in place. Amidst growing concerns regarding the environmental footprints of carbon-based fuels and impending carbon taxation, the International Maritime Organization, policymakers, classification societies, shipping firms, and stakeholders are seeking cleaner alternatives. LNG (Liquefied natural gas) and Green ammonia as energy vectors are considered among the top contenders for future clean alternatives for offshore vessels. This study evaluated the environmental performance of newly built AHTS vessels powered by LNG and Green ammonia as marine fuels designed for offshore operations. This environmental impact assessment study uses IPCC and Environmental footprint methodologies. Considered broad impact groups: Global warming, human toxicity, eutrophication, ecotoxicity, and atmosphere-related impacts, and analyzed the process impacts. This study uses Supervised machine learning algorithms such as the Random forest, Decision tree, and XGBOOST models for environmental performance evaluation and prediction. The study reveals that the recently manufactured AHTS vessel, utilizing conventional fuels like Heavy fuel oil, Marine diesel oil, and LNG, exhibits significantly increased GTP 100 and GWP 100 emission levels per tonne-kilometer when compared to green ammonia, with a 44 % and 10.6 % rise compared to Heavy fuel oil, respectively. Furthermore, the XGBOOST regression model outperformed the Random forest and Decision tree models in predictive accuracy for GWP 100. It is analyzed and proposed that effectively managing unsustainable processes would minimize environmental footprints and reduce carbon, nitrogen oxide, LNG, and ammonia-based emissions.

Can Risk-Based Approaches benefit future Marine Renewable Energy deployment, planning and consenting processes?

The need to harness the vast energy resources of the oceans has led to a significant increase in the design, testing and deployment of novel technologies for Marine Renewable Energy (MRE). However, growth in this area has been slowed in part by several non-technological challenges, among them the ability to gain permissions to test and deploy installations. These consenting processes are often characterised by long bureaucratic procedures (with many authorities involved) and excessive environmental impact assessment studies, resulting in delays and additional costs to developers.
 One option which may help to release this block is to adopt a Risk-Based Approach (RBA) to energy consenting, whereby an assessment of risk is used in the decision-making process. The EU-funded SafeWAVE project (www.safewave-project.eu) has focussed on this possibility in France and Ireland, building on the work of an earlier EU-funded project, WESE (https://www.researchgate.net/project/Wave-Energy-in-the-Southern-Europe-WESE), in which similar work was undertaken in Spain and Portugal. Here we present some of the findings from these projects, in particular the process to work towards a set of guidance for the use of RBAs in MRE consenting processes.
 RBAs have already been used in the context of Marine Spatial Planning and Ecosystem-Based Management and have been found to be useful for interpretation of data from experts, indicators and ecosystem models. Indeed, a number of RBAs have also been developed that are appropriate for Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) consenting processes. A thorough review was undertaken of several recognised RBAs and common components were identified across five of the most useful and relevant of these. From these common components, a ‘stepwise process’ was formulated, specifically designed to be embedded into MRE consenting systems. This stepwise process has been constructed such that it can be presented to regulatory stakeholders in France and Ireland with a view to determining the feasibility of its implementation. Ultimately the outcome of these discussions will form the basis for the development of a guidance document on risk based, adaptive management consenting processes with recommendations on how the process can be taken forward and utilised by regulators, planners and developers. While the development of a prescriptive procedure is not feasible (due to the varying nature of the MRE installations devices themselves as well as differing environmental conditions and impacts where devices are deployed), there is scope for providing guidance to assist regulators in taking a robust and holistic risk-based approach. Such a set of guidelines could facilitate a broader understanding and thus the wider use of RBAs, which in turn has the potential to remove one significant barrier to progress in the field.

Change in Values of Illegal Miners and Inhabitants and Reduction in Environmental Pollution after the Cessation of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining: A Case of Bunikasih, Indonesia.

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) harms the environment and human health, because it requires mercury (Hg). Therefore, this study uses a questionnaire survey to identify the effects of the medical checkup findings, group discussion, and educational seminar on the values of illegal miners and residents in Bunikasih, Indonesia, regarding the environmental and health effects of Hg. Transdisciplinary communities of practice (TDCoP) were formed to pursue alternative livelihoods than illegal ASGM. Environmental pollution after ASGM closure was assessed. The questionnaire showed that respondents changed their views on Hg's effects and were willing to stop ASGM practices. In an environmental impact assessment study, tea leaf samples were obtained between the ASGM activity location and village housing in two periods during ASGM closure to identify the concentrations of Hg, lead, and arsenic. Their mean concentration values in Period 1 (2) were 0.54 ± 0.14, 0.66 ± 0.09, and 0.34 ± 0.12 mg kg-1 (0.08 ± 0.04, 0.34 ± 0.14, and 0.07 ± 0.06 mg kg-1), respectively, indicating a decrease in environmental pollution. In conclusion, the government-driven cessation of ASGM in the study area shows a reduction in environmental pollution, and the change in the perception of the participants regarding the ASGM and TDCoP approaches help to make these changes permanent.

Environmental impact assessment of the manufacturing of glass packaging solutions: Comparative scenarios in a developing country

The manufacturing of glass packaging is an energy and resource intensive process and the demand for glass packaging is increasing because of rising world population, especially in the developing countries. However, although a significant amount of glass packaging is produced in developing countries, there is limited research focused on the environmental impact assessment and analysis of the glass manufacturing activities. Thus, in order to fill this research gap, this paper reports a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) for the manufacturing of glass packaging in Pakistan. The LCA was conducted for three different types of glass (amber, flint and green) packaging solutions. The study was based on cradle-to-gate perspective, while considering 1-ton of glass produced as the functional unit. The primary data were collected from a well-known glass industry located in one of the dedicated industrial zones in Pakistan. SimaPro V 9.2. was used as the software tool and environmental impacts were quantified at midpoint and endpoint levels using ReCiPe 2016 method. The results indicated that extraction and processing of raw materials, and the plant-based glass production process cause worst impacts on the environment. More specifically, the consumption of natural gas for glass melting and the electricity from the national grid are the most contributing elements at the plant level. At midpoint level, comparatively green glass has the highest impact in various impact categories, such as global warming, fresh water ecotoxicity, marine ecotoxicity, etc. At endpoint level, human health is mainly impacted among various areas of protection. Overall, green glass remains the dreadful option for human health in comparison with other glass types. Alternative scenarios were also generated for all three packaging solutions by changing the energy-mix, especially to see the difference in greenhouse gas emissions. The study also outlines various important implications. As this is the first such study, it may be used as a benchmark for further environmental impact assessment studies for glass packaging industry, especially in developing countries.

Red Ghost Crab Ocypode Macrocera (H. Milne Edwards, 1852) Population Dynamics Changes at Bay of Bengal Coast Line in Response to Construction of Digha Marine Drive and Tajpur Port: EIA Study by Rammohan College

Abstract: On the sand beaches of the Bay of Bengal, from Bichitrapur in Orissa to Mandermani in West Bengal, population dynamics of Ocypode macrocera (H. Milne Edwards, 1852) were investigated. The crabs are found across the coastal areas that face the sea. Bichitrapur, Talsari, Udaipur, New Digha, Mohana, Shankarpur, Tajpur, and Mandermoni were the principal study locations. The infra-littoral sand flats zone is where the Red Ghost Crabs live. The development of the particular stretch of beach and the prevalence of crab burrows are related. Crab activity occurs both during the day and at night. One to three openings towards the sea can be found in each crab burrow. EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) is an essential study required before onset of any project or for any ongoing project. This EIA study was conducted in 2017, prior to the start of "Marine drive & Tajpur port" construction, and in 2020, following completion of "Marine drive& Tajpur port" by Rammohan College. At the construction areas, it was discovered that the Red Ghost Crab population had substantially decreased. Additionally altered is the burrow distribution pattern. An essential ecological stabilizer of Sea beach is the red ghost crab. Additionally, it was discovered that the sea beach began to erode where the crabs were completely gone.

Environmental monitoring in the road influence zone - obligations and actual status

Monitoring the state of the environment in the road's impact zone is a systematic measurement, examination, and assessment of indicators, i.e., monitoring of environmental parameters (water, air, soil, etc.). Monitoring and reporting on the state of the environment is a necessary condition for fulfilling legal reporting obligations in accordance with the adopted Environmental Impact Assessment Study for the section in question. Environmental monitoring based on the implementation of the adopted Environmental Management Plan for the road section. It defines the measurement program during the regular exploitation and maintenance of each environmental parameter separately, as well as the appropriate legal bases related to sampling and measurement procedures, execution methods, sampling locations, sampling time, and length. Monitoring provides insight into the state of the environment in the zone of influence of the road section in question. Monitoring enables obtaining important information for undertaking appropriate protection measures in order to prevent or reduce further environmental pollution and establish an early warning system. The paper presents the activities undertaken in JP "Roads of Serbia" with an emphasis on the difference between the reporting obligations adopted as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment Study and the current situation on the ground, based on which the Monitoring Plan was agreed and adopted.

Water or mineral resource? Legal interpretations and hydrosocial configurations of lithium mining in Chile

The advance of electromobility has boosted global demand and interest in lithium. The consequent expansion of lithium mining puts the sustainability of Chile's Andean salt flats at risk. In these unique ecosystems, lithium is abstracted from mineralized groundwaters, referred to also as brines. This article analyses the legal treatment of brines and its implications in assessing the socioecological impacts of lithium mining projects. For our analysis, we draw from scholarship at the intersection between hydrosocial research and critical legal geography. Methodologically, our study is based on interviews and the analysis of legal texts and judicial and administrative claims, including the environmental impact assessment studies of the three single lithium mining projects approved in the country. We show that the interpretation of brines as mining resources supported by mining companies and endorsed by environmental State agencies is based on a legal loophole. We document how such interpretation is operationalized and contested in the environmental impact assessments of three mining projects and other instances. We explore how the same legal loophole could lead to alternative interpretations and relatedly regulatory proposals and discuss their implication for the assessment of socioecological impacts of mining projects. These include first an understanding of brines as hybrids minerals/waters put forward in a recent report commissioned by State agencies, and second an interpretation of brines as a type of water. The latter is in line with the position of some indigenous groups and academics. We conclude with reflections on the implications of our analysis for lithium mining in Chile and beyond.

Environmental Policy to Develop a Conceptual Design for the Water–Energy–Food Nexus: A Case Study in Wadi-Dara on the Red Sea Coast, Egypt

In the next twenty years, the scarcity of food shortage and drinking water will appear in Egypt due to the growth of industries and agriculture. This paper develops a conceptual design of the new technologies in the field of water–energy–food in new cities. Border lines are the internal relationship, external influence, and linkage system evaluation for WEF nexus. The major problems of using fossil energy in desalination are emissions and non-renewability, as well as the preference for dispersed freshwater production instead of concentrated output. The design of a desalination system that is integrated with renewable energies is critical these days. This type of system can also reduce the production of environmental pollutants due to reduced energy consumption and transfer of freshwater. GIS data from the United Nations have confirmed the existence of an underground reservoir in Wadi-Dara that can cultivate 1000 acres using smart farming techniques to reach a circular economy for an integrated solution between the water–energy nexus. The possibility of cultivating a hundred acres in Wadi-Dara on the Red Sea coast exists, through which about one million people could be settled. In this comprehensive review, we conducted a deep study in order to establish a sustainable integrated lifestyle in the Dara Valley region in terms of the availability of potable water, clean energy, and agriculture. Sustainable integrated solutions were conducted for seawater desalination using beach sand filtration wells as a pretreatment for seawater using renewable energy, e.g., wind energy (18% wind turbines), and photovoltaic panels (77% PV panels). Strategic food will be cultivated using smart farming that includes an open ponds cultivation system of microalgal cells to synthesis (5.0% of bio-fuel (. Aqua agriculture and aquaponics will cultivate marine culture and integrate mangrove, a shrimp aquaculture. A municipal waste water treatment is conceived for the irrigation of shrubby forests and landscapes. Mixotrophic cultures were explored to achieve a sustained ecological balance. Food, poultry and animal waste management, as well as a cooker factory, were included in the overall design. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) study shows a low risk due to anticipated net zero emissions, a 75% green city, and optimal waste recycling. This research assists in combining research efforts to address the challenging processes in nexus research and build resilient and sustainable water, energy, and food systems.

Integration of the Standalone ‘Risk Assessment’ Section in Project Level Environmental Impact Assessment Reports for Value Addition: An Indian Case Analysis

Both environmental impact assessment (EIA) and risk assessment (RA) instituted some 50 years ago are interdisciplinary and decision-support tools and have analogies in their procedural steps. Environmental risk assessment could be employed as such or as complementary to EIA for environmental management. This study aims to examine how RA is dealt with in the EIA reports of greenfield projects. The investigation reveals that RA is treated as a standalone exercise and too inadequately in EIA studies. There is a lack of well-defined criteria and methodologies for RA in different contexts, evaluation of prediction uncertainties, residual risks, assimilating RA in EIA, regulatory framework to strengthen RA integration in EIA, objective review of RA by the competent authority, and EIA follow-up. Unambiguous terms of reference are proposed for RA in EIA under the prevailing regulation for immediate implementation. The duration and cost of preparing and reviewing EIA reports integrated with RA would increase but there would be more value addition to the EIA studies. Comprehensive EIA regulation, RA-related scoping, and institutional capacity building could help promote such integration that is crucial for assessing industrial and other anthropogenic calamities at the project development stage.

Environmental Noise Impact Assessment for Large-Scale Surface Mining Operations in Serbia

Noise emissions are a significant environmental impact caused by the mining industry in all technological phases of surface mining, mineral processing, and waste disposal. This paper presents the role of noise impact assessment and control in large-scale surface mining operations. Mine planning develops the model of mining operations, ore excavation, and waste dumping scheduling and processing rates, including spatial distribution of mining activities. Such a level of mine planning requires an environmental impact assessment study. This can be achieved by applying noise impact assessment models. The described approach can be used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed protection measures to reduce or eliminate the identified negative impacts. This paper presents a case study of environmental noise impact assessment and control at the Serbia Zijin Copper DOO Bor mine, encompassing the analysis of the noise protection measures efficiency within the planning of large-scale mining operations at the open-pit mine Veliki Krivelj.

Evaluation of the effectiveness and performance of environmental impact assessment studies in Greece

As environmental management is becoming increasingly complex, adequate assessment techniques must be utilized to forecast environmental impact trends. The current study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the evaluation system in Greece regarding environmental impact assessment (EIA) concerning projects. Data were extracted from literature and a questionnaire, which was distributed electronically on a Pan-Hellenic scale. Results indicated that the EIA system in Greece has solid foundations with a weak point regarding implementation. Strengths, weaknesses, and threats of EIA institution were analyzed through SWOT-AHP (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats and Analytical Hierarchy Process) analysis. A dominant criterion in the analysis due to the dynamic of the deep economic recession was found to be the economic crisis.

An environmental impact assessment and optimisation study of biodiesel production from microalgae

An environmental impact assessment and optimisation study of biodiesel production from microalgae

An environmental impact assessment and optimisation study of biodiesel production from microalgae

An environmental impact assessment and optimisation study of biodiesel production from microalgae