Environmental Management Plan Research Articles

Research on the Constructed-Wetland/Regulation-Tank System at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana's Bogotá Campus

The stormwater harvesting (SWH) project at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá) began in 2007, initiated by the Water and Environmental Engineering research group (Ciencia e Ingeniería del Agua y el Ambiente), as part of PUJB's Environmental Management Plan and in collaboration with the University's Office of Physical Resources. This process included assessments of water supply and demand, rainwater quality, and financial and construction considerations. The system—a constructed wetland/regulation tank (CWRT)—collects rainwater runoff from the university's parking building (3,776 m²), the soccer field, and surrounding areas (14,816 m²). Beyond its hydrological performance, especially during periods of water scarcity, the system also functions as a full-scale laboratory to study biodiversity and ecological impacts in hydrological and hydraulic processes. The monitoring program, focused on changes in rainwater quantity and quality, has inspired several master's and doctoral research projects. These studies explore critical topics in urban hydrology, including stormwater harvesting, urban sediment management, real-time decision-making systems, and environmental and human health. This paper outlines the development of the stormwater harvesting system, shares the main findings from research projects, and discusses ongoing projects.

Wind Rose Analysis of Temperature Variation with Sensor Implantation Technique for Wind Turbine

This study focuses on analysing the impact of seasonal variations in heat on different parts of a "wind energy system," serving as a representative mechanical system. The proposed methodology utilizes wind rose analysis, offering a straightforward means to assess heat transfer effects, applicable to any mechanical system comprising numerous small heat-dissipating components. Furthermore, this work elucidates the correlation between mechanical component performance and heat dissipation impact, providing breakdown alerts for various wind turbine components. Additionally, it analyses the influence of mechanical part temperatures on energy generation, highlighting how high temperatures can indicate component deterioration, such as bearing damage. Notably, the study focuses on wind speeds ranging from 10 to 15 m/s, a typical operational range for wind turbines. By employing wind rose charts and real-time readings, the graded heat dissipating potential of mechanical parts under various wind velocities and weather conditions is determined. Moreover, the study emphasizes the significance of heat transfer analysis in optimizing wind turbine performance, demonstrating how temperature differentials between mechanical components and the environment, along with increased surface area, affect heat transfer. The proposed analysis underscores the importance of considering heat's impact on each mechanical component in tandem with seasonal environmental temperature fluctuations. The wind rose methodology, integrated with sensor implantation, emerges as a cost-effective tool for studying -level heat variances in mechanical systems, enabling the development of heat profiles for future turbine designs and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses. As heat transfer coefficient increases the wind turbine performance decrease. The heat transfer coefficient decreases 14.28% from rainy to winter season and 42.85% from winter to summer season. The wind rose analysis provides valuable insights into wind patterns and characteristics at a specific location, which can inform decision-making in various fields such as energy, construction, environmental management, and safety planning. As the turbine temperature increases the wind velocity decreases. Here it decreases 28 % from rainy to winter season.

Influence of isolation on the resilience of tank bromeliad ecosystems to drought in a Neotropical rainforest

AbstractLittle is known of how Neotropical freshwater ecosystems will respond to future climate scenarios. In Neotropical rainforests, a substantial fraction of the freshwater available to the aquatic fauna is found within phytotelmata, plant-held waters that form aquatic islands in a terrestrial matrix. We hypothesized that phytotelmata in close proximity have higher resilience capacity to severe drought than the isolated ones, under the assumption that immigration from nearby sources promotes faster recovery. We used rainshelters to emulate an extreme drought (67 days without rainfall) in tank-forming bromeliads arranged in patches of 1, 3 or 6 plants in a primary forest of French Guiana. Habitat size was a stronger determinant of invertebrate species richness and biomass per bromeliad than patch size. Larger bromeliad patches attenuated the adverse effect of drought on the biomass of predators, probably because short-range migration within dense patches allowed individuals to find moist refuges. However, the recovery of aquatic communities and ecosystem functions was mostly supported by in situ resistance, and a rescue effect of immigration was weak. Whilst environmental management plans tend to focus on dense networks of connected water bodies, our study shows that efforts should not omit the isolated ones.

Implementation of environmental management plans in the transport sector development projects: A case study of two mega projects in Bangladesh

This study assesses the Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) of two major urban transport megaprojects in Bangladesh, MRT Line-6 and BRT Line-3, implemented in Dhaka City to alleviate traffic congestion. The EMPs were evaluated using content analysis, SWOT analysis, and key informant interviews with environmental impact assessment experts. This research identifies the challenges and strengths of these projects, including occupational health and safety management, compensation measures for resettlement, handling cash grievances, emergency response plans, and organized environmental maintenance. The EMPs demonstrate efforts to compensate for greenspace loss by creating new ground coverage along the routes and planting trees and shrubs beneath elevated tracks. Notable weaknesses were observed, including a lack of integration between project proponents and regulatory authorities, absence of monitoring and reporting of impacts, health hazards caused by dust and emissions from equipment and project activities, insufficient traffic management plans, and inadequate health and safety measures for pedestrians during the construction phase. Several measures have been proposed for monitoring the operational phases by designated authorities, such as an environmental treatment plan for wastewater, solid waste management, water supply and sanitation, noise pollution control, and other emission control measures. Unfortunately, the study revealed that the restoration of blue spaces, such as water bodies and wetlands, affected by the megaprojects, was not adequately planned. This study further suggests that transparency and public participation should be ensured during preparation and implementation of EMPs of megaprojects. It also emphasizes the need for an adequate workforce and resources in the Department of Environment (DoE) to monitor EMP implementation effectively.

Potential use of Environmental Management Plan for the Sustainability of Coastal Area and Resources

The potential use of Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) for the sustainability of coastal areas has demonstrated significant benefits in enhancing environmental protection, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement. However, challenges such as data collection, monitoring, and the effectiveness of mitigation measures must be addressed to fully realize the potential of EMPs. By investing in baseline data, implementing robust monitoring and adaptive management practices, enhancing stakeholder engagement, integrating EMPs with broader management frameworks, and allocating adequate resources, the effectiveness and sustainability of EMPs can be significantly improved.

New perspective on the recent challenges of regional environmental management plans under the background of deep-sea mining: from Northwest Pacific to global

New perspective on the recent challenges of regional environmental management plans under the background of deep-sea mining: from Northwest Pacific to global

Refining Environmental Sustainability Governance Reports through Fuzzy Systems Evaluation and Scoring

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reports have become essential tools for enterprises to showcase their commitment to sustainable development and social responsibility. However, discrepancies persist regarding the criteria, assessments, and ratings disclosed in these reports. Moreover, there is a need for more objective methods to determine the weight distribution of indicator items. This study introduces a novel approach utilizing semantic variables in fuzzy theory and a multiple logic fuzzy inference system to develop an ESG environmental management performance assessment model. Therefore, this paper aims to develop a novel approach utilizing semantic variables and a multiple logic fuzzy inference system to quantitatively evaluate the sustainable performance of an environmental management plan. This research also aims to ensure fair and objective assessment outcomes, providing valuable guidance for enterprises in implementing performance management strategies. Key aspects investigated include the impact of membership functions, the extended utilization of semantic variables and logical rules, a comparative analysis of traditional weight assessments, and the limitations of applying fuzzy theory. Through comprehensive discussions and calculations, it is evident that fuzzy theory offers considerable flexibility in application. By tailoring fuzzy rules and selecting appropriate membership functions, diverse application scenarios can be accommodated. The Fuzzy systems evaluation and scoring EMP model generates EMP evaluation scores ranging from 1.76 to 8.29 for Gaussian membership, 1.80 to 8.19 for Triangular membership-A, 1.92 to 8.00 for Triangular membership-B, and 1.81 to 8.19 for Quadrilateral trapezoidal membership, based on simulated rating scenarios using the semantic variables of completeness and feasibility. This approach successfully incorporates distribution logic from subjective membership degrees to evaluate EMP scores. The findings demonstrate that fuzzy theory enables the consideration of multiple factors and facilitates the provision of objective-level membership, underscoring its potential in addressing complex evaluation challenges. This study illuminates the versatility of the fuzzy system theory, with its applications poised to extend across various domains.

Challenges for the steel industry in terms of environmental control in the production of pig iron in the state of Minas Gerais - Brazil

This text highlights the importance of implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) in the steel industry sector focused on pig iron production in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The text refers to the general scenario of pig iron production in Minas Gerais, addresses the main environmental impacts observed in the area of influence of the enterprises and the legislation directed at the sector. It discusses the behavior of the steel industry in the face of the need for environmental management plans and programs, and points out the possible competitive advantages of industrial companies that meet acceptable environmental and production control standards.

Mercury in the Southwestern Atlantic reef-building coral Montastraea cavernosa (Cnidaria, Scleractinia)

Coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs, are particularly vulnerable to mercury contamination due to direct contact with terrestrial sources. Here, we evaluated, for the first time, the concentration of mercury in coral reefs in the Southwestern Atlantic using the amphi-atlantic scleractinian coral Montastraea cavernosa. Sampling was realized over an extension of 200 km along different coral reefs. Our data show mercury values ranging from 0.01 to 0.27 mg kg−1 in the tissue and 0.001–0.06 mg kg−1 in the skeleton and higher values when compared to coral worldwide. The concentration of mercury in the tissue from Todos os Santos Bay was higher than in open sea regions but also higher compared to other coral reefs of the world, while the skeleton concentration did not indicate any differences when compared to the open sea regions. The data presented is of concern as we consider the importance of coral reefs and should be used in future environmental management planning.

Paleolimnological Investigations in Coastal Sarıkum Lagoon, Sinop, Turkey

Lagoons are dynamic systems, making ecosystem management difficult. Paleolimnological approach is the only way to track past long term environmental changes and background conditions that are essential to build environmental management plans. Here, we investigated a sediment record from Sarıkum Lagoon, on the Black Sea coastal plain in North Anatolia, through a multiproxy paleolimnological approach to reveal long term environmental change and background conditions in the lake. For which, dry weight, organic and carbonate carbon, chlorophyll a (including its main diagenetic products), magnetic susceptibility and ostracod analysis were undertaken. The core was dated via radionuclide technique. At around 30 cm of the sediment record, there are abrupt transitions in all proxies, indicating a massive sediment input, a transition from transitional water to lacustrine environment, and lake’s biota also changed. Biological proxies preserved in the sediments suggest that the latest zone, after this event, is represented by lacustrine and hydrologically more isolated conditions from the Black Sea. Whatever the reason of that event (e.g. earthquake, flood), Sarıkum Lagoon has had lacustrine conditions during the last ~ 2 and half centuries following that abrupt event. This long term environmental change information should be considered while making future ecosystem management and conservation plans for the lake. (e.g. keep the lake connected with the Black Sea).

Public Assessment for Environmental Management Plan Implementation: Comparative Study of Performance Indicators of Road and Highway Construction Projects

Public Assessment for Environmental Management Plan Implementation: Comparative Study of Performance Indicators of Road and Highway Construction Projects

Inventory and management of E-waste: a case study of Kerala, India.

The recent surge in electronic device usage has led to a notable rise in electronic waste (E-waste) generation, presenting significant environmental challenges. This study aims to quantify Kerala's E-waste inventory and formulate a comprehensive management plan. Utilizing sales data from 2017 to 2020 and estimating E-waste generation based on "average" or "end-of-life" durations of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) items, the analysis forecasts substantial E-waste quantities. Key assumptions include correlating sales data with E-waste generation and utilizing guidelines for estimating E-waste quantities based on EEE item types and sales figures. The highest E-waste generation is predicted for the years 2028-2029, estimated at 97,541 tonnes, which iscrucial for the state's management strategy. To address this challenge, the study proposes a comprehensive environmental management plan that integrates the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle (3R) into its core strategies. The plan includes establishing 78 collection units across the state, strategically allocated based on theTaluk (a sub-division of a district) population, to ensure efficient E-waste collection and recovery of reusable items. Additionally, the study outlines the need for 273 recycling units statewide, with Malappuram district requiring the most units due to its high population density. The plan emphasizes efficient E-waste collection, segregation, and recycling, promoting responsible consumption and resource conservation. The study furnishes a "cradle-to-grave" framework for the management of E-waste at local, regional, and national levels, serving as a valuable resource for pollution control boards, regulatory bodies, statutory bodies, and research organizations alike.

Environmental Management Plan and Water Reuse Waste in a Metallurgical Company, Peru, 2023

The main objective of the research was to determine how the Environmental Management Plan improves the reuse of wastewater generated by a steel company, Pisco 2023. The approach of the research was with the methodology of applied type and experimental design, proposed the solution of a practical problem through the application of the environmental management plan, and the intervention with the pre and post-test evaluations. The population and sample consisted of 15 records (5 weeks pretest January-March and 5 weeks posttest May-July 2023). From the sample, the 15 paired means (pretest and post-test) were determined. Data collection was conducted using documentary analysis techniques and instruments: checklist and registration sheets. Statistical analysis with SPSS 22 software determined that implementation of the environmental management plan improved the wastewater reuse rate from 6.41 to 15.73. It was determined that the implementation of the environmental management plan significantly improved the reuse of wastewater generated by a steel company, Pisco 2023.

A Deep Learning Based Soil Type Classification and Recommendation of Crops to the Soil Type

Accurate classification of soil surface texture plays a pivotal role in agriculture, environmental management, and land-use planning. However, the classification of soil textures from RGB images obtained under uncontrolled field conditions remains a challenging task due to the inherent complexities of natural environments. In this study, we propose a novel approach for Soil Surface Texture Classification using Convolutional Neural Networks to address these challenges.

Strategies for Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources for Koreaʼs Major Battery Producers (LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, SK On)

The proliferation of global regulations concerning sustainability and environmental protection poses a significant challenge to maintaining corporate sustainability. Consequently, companies must strategically respond to navigate these regulations in their management plans. The objective of this research was to analyze how Korean companies(LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, SK On) are responding to sustainable mining and procurement and how they adopt environmentally friendly practices in their mineral supply chain for battery manufacturing. We also proposed new actions to enhance their management strategies for sustainable mineral resource management. Our observations indicated that companies should implement a long-term performance measurement throughout their mineral supply chain. Additionally, there is an urgent need to develop a more proactive environmental management plan when evaluating suppliers from mineral extraction to utilization, adhering to global guidelines such as OECD regulation. In addition to the widely adopted monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions, priority assessments must be undertaken concerning soil and water pollution, waste management, and biodiversity loss within the supply chain linked with climate change under the nature-positive concept. We recommended the establishment of a recycling system for battery waste(i.e., minerals), which is essential for a resilient battery supply chain.

Enhancing Marina Sustainability: Water Quality and Flushing Efficiency in Marinas

Coastal marinas are particularly susceptible to pollution due to their limited flushing capabilities and ineffective management practices. Therefore, it is necessary to implement measures that promote enhanced sustainability. This study aims to explore the intricate relationship between tidal flushing characteristics and water quality within marinas to foster sustainable development and management practices that mitigate environmental impacts. The research scrutinized seven marinas along the Kuwait coastline, each exhibiting unique hydrodynamic conditions and geometric configurations. Water quality indicators such as BOD, COD, DO, and SO42− were evaluated concerning each marina’s flushing efficiency through field assessments and hydrodynamic numerical modeling. An empirical formula was developed to predict and optimize flushing mechanisms, which provided critical insights into the design and management of marinas to enhance water quality. The study revealed significant disparities in water quality across the examined marinas as the hydrodynamic and geometric conditions differed. The empirical formula developed offers a novel approach to quantitatively assessing flushing efficiency, which is valuable for marina designers and managers, facilitating informed decisions, and promoting environmental sustainability. This study underscores the critical importance of integrating hydrodynamic and geometric considerations in the design and management of marinas to improve water quality and sustainability. It advocates for a multifaceted strategy that includes advanced design solutions, rigorous policy implementation, and active community engagement to safeguard coastal marine environments. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive environmental management plans.

Performance Indicators for Assessing Environmental Management Plan Implementation in Water Projects

This research aims to examine the performance indicators that are crucial for assessing the implementation of environmental management plans (EMPs) in water projects. To achieve this aim, a questionnaire survey, integrating a systematic literature review (SLR), was used to identify the initial performance indicators. Subsequently, ten interviews with environmental professionals were carried out to uncover additional indicators not identified by the SLR. Following the survey design and pilot study of the survey, the data collection resulted in 112 valid responses from environmental professionals engaged in water projects in Saudi Arabia. The data analysis encompassed reliability tests, mean ranking, normalized mean analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The normalized mean analysis highlighted 13 critical parameters among 39 for further investigation. The EFA disclosed three underlying constructs: environmental impact indicators, operational and safety indicators, waste management, and public safety indicators. PLS-SEM was used to validate the relationship between these indicators and the successful implementation of EMPs. The results indicate that all three underlying constructs positively influence the effective execution of such plans. This is the first study to model the relationships of the performance indicators in water projects. The study’s findings underscore the importance of developing precise performance indicators tailored to diverse construction projects that are mainly focused on water facility construction. The identified performance indicators offer significant insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers and provide a solid foundation for the advancement of knowledge in the field of environmental management.

Effects of sediment-storage dams on suspended sediment transport in the Sera Lake Watershed, northeast Turkey

In this study, the effects of cascade sediment-storage dams (SSDs) on the suspended sediment (SS) transport in the Sera Lake Watershed (northeast Turkey) were investigated. Ten SS monitoring stations from upstream (S01) to downstream (S10) were selected for the study considering the locations of the SSDs and Sera Lake. In a gauging station, where S05 was selected, the water stage monitoring studies were also conducted, and daily discharges and SS loads were computed. The Spearman correlation coefficient between SS and discharges data was computed as 0.592. The deterioration of the naturalness of the watershed with external interventions was effective on this value. While the Sera Lake trapped 33% of the SS transport, this value varied between –25.8 and 44% for SSDs. Although the SSDs have been proportionately succeed in trapping the SS, they have been insufficient in preventing sedimentation and problems caused by sediment transport in the watershed. In addition, the annual average soil erosion amount was determined by the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) method in the watershed. According to the RUSLE method, the annual average soil loss of the watershed is 1.65 tons/ha. The SDR value of the watershed was calculated as 0.104. Integrating different environmental management tools to achieve a balanced and sustainable decision, a strategic environmental management plan should be constituted.

Assessment of aquatic ecosystem quality in Dharoi Reservoir using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery

Background: Dharoi Reservoir, located in Gujarat, India, is a vital freshwater resource supporting agriculture, industry, and local communities. Chl-a, a key indicator of water quality, reflects the trophic state and ecological balance of aquatic systems. Objective(s): This study aims to provide comprehensive insights into the water quality dynamics of Dharoi Reservoir, offering valuable information for environmental management and sustainable water resource planning. Methods: This study employs high-resolution Sentinel-2 satellite imagery to analyze Chl-a concentrations in the reservoir during October 2020. The Chl-a index, calculated by dividing Sentinel-2 bands B5 and B4, reveals a spatial distribution of Chl-a concentrations. Results: The Chl-a index ranges from 73.78 to 100. The mean Chl-a index is 91.6 with a standard deviation of 3.27, indicating elevated and variable Chl-a concentrations. Conclusions: The findings contribute to the understanding of the reservoir’s ecological health and assist in making informed decisions for water quality management. This research exemplifies the integration of remote sensing technology and environmental stewardship, promoting sustainable water management practices in the region. Policy recommendations: No policy recommendations are explicitly stated in the abstract, but they could be inferred from the conclusions. For example, one possible policy recommendation is to monitor and regulate the sources of nutrient inputs into the reservoir, such as agricultural runoff, sewage, and industrial effluents, to reduce the risk of eutrophication and algal blooms. Another possible policy recommendation is to implement adaptive management strategies that consider the seasonal and spatial variability of Chl-a concentrations and their impacts on water quality and availability.

THE ROLE OF SMART CITY POLICY IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN SERANG CITY BANTEN

This research examines the implementation of smart city policy in Serang City, Banten Province, Indonesia, in the context of local government reform from a centralised to a decentralised system. The main objective is to analyse how smart city policy can improve peoples welfare through integrating information technology in e-government, e-budgeting, e-planning, environmental management, and urban planning. The methodology used is a descriptive analysis design with a qualitative approach involving direct data collection in the field and observation of social interactions. The results show that the effectiveness of smart city policy implementation in Serang City is influenced by five main dimensions: environmental conditions, inter-organizational relationships, available resources, characteristics of implementing agencies, and the quality of public services. These factors interact with each other to support or hinder the achievement of policy objectives. This study concludes that the success of smart city policies depends on technology and the ability to manage resources, inter-organizational coordination, and human resource quality development. Continuous evaluation and adjustment of policies and practices are needed to create sustainable and inclusive solutions to improve peoples quality of life. KEYWORDS: Decentralization, Smart City, Serang City, Policy Implementation