Environmental Mitigation Measures Research Articles

Potential for coupling the monitoring of bush‐crickets with established large‐scale acoustic monitoring of bats

Summary Monitoring biodiversity over large spatial and temporal scales is crucial for assessing the impact of global changes and environmental mitigation measures. However, large‐scale monitoring of invertebrates remains poorly developed despite the importance of these organisms in ecosystem functioning. Exciting possibilities applicable to professional and citizen science are offered by new recording techniques and methods of semi‐automated species recognition based on sound detection. Static broad‐spectrum detectors deployed to record throughout whole nights have been recommended for standardised acoustic monitoring of bats, but they have the potential to also collect acoustic data for other species groups. Large‐scale deployment of such systems is only viable when combined with robust automated species identification algorithms. Here we examine the potential of such a system for detecting, identifying and monitoring bush‐crickets (Orthoptera of the family Tettigoniidae). We use incidental sound recordings generated by an extensive citizen science bat survey and recordings from intensive site surveys to test a semi‐automated step‐wise method with a classifier for assigning species identities. We assess species’ diel activity patterns to make recommendations for survey timing and interpretation of existing nocturnal data sets and consider the feasibility of determining site occupancy. Of six species of bush‐crickets, the species classifier achieved over 85% accuracy for three, speckled bush‐cricket, dark bush‐cricket and Roesel's bush‐cricket. It should be possible to automatically scan recordings for these species with minimal manual validation. Further refinement of the classifier is required for the three remaining species, in particular for the acoustically similar short‐winged conehead and long‐winged conehead. Diel activity patterns are species specific and it may be necessary to adjust the hours over which the detectors record to increase detection of key species, but this must be weighed against the costs in terms of increased memory and battery use and equipment security during daytime. We conclude that with logistical support and centralised semi‐automated species identification it is now possible for the public to contribute to large‐scale acoustic monitoring of Orthoptera while recording bats. Further innovation of sound classifier algorithms is needed and would be aided by improved reference sound libraries from multiple locations spanning species’ ranges.

Sustainable Development and Environmentally Friendly Energy Systems

People are relying upon oil for primary energy and this will continue for a few more decades. Other conventional sources may be more enduring but are not without serious disadvantages. The renewable energy resources are particularly suited for the provision of rural power supplies and a major advantage is that equipment such as flat plate solar driers, wind machines, etc., can be constructed using local resources. Without the advantage results from the feasibility of local maintenance and the general encouragement, such local manufacture gives to the buildup of a small-scale rural-based industry. This communication comprises a comprehensive review of energy sources, the environment, and sustainable development. It includes the renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency systems, energy conservation scenarios, energy savings in greenhouses environment and other mitigation measures necessary to reduce climate change. This study gives some examples of small-scale energy converters, nevertheless, it should be noted that small conventional, i.e., engines are currently the major source of power in rural areas and will continue to be so for a long time to come.

Environmental Mitigation Measures Critical during Construction and Operational Stages of Road Network in Uyo

Since road transport is a dominant necessity for the overall economic development of any nation, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been conducted on the soil environmental component to evaluate the effect of the activities of road construction on the project area. The main purpose was to identify any potential significant environmental effects due to the proposed project and proffer mitigation/ameliorative measures. The electrical conductivity value of this soil is non saline. These values are within the tolerance levels for plant growth. The exchangeable cations (bases) (Ca, Mg, Na and K) of the soils of the study area are high and the exchange complex is dominated by Ca (surface soils, 3.54 cmol·kg﹣1; subsoils, 3.44 cmol·kg﹣1 soil), followed by Mg (surface soils, 1.52 cmol·kg﹣1; subsoils, 2.55 cmol·kg﹣1), K (surface soils 0.12 cmol·kg﹣1; subsoils, 0.11 cmol·kg﹣1) and Na (surface soils, 0.06 cmol·kg﹣1; subsoils, 0.16 cmol·kg﹣1). The percent saturation of basic cations on the sorption sites of the soil micelles which is forced into soil solution where they are assimilated is above 70%. The only notable challenge in this soil area is that potassium availability to plant has been shown to be limited by excessive quantities of exchangeable calcium. The beneficial impact from activities of road construction project is mostly socio-economical. The non-beneficial impacts as it pertains to soil resources include: land uptake and destruction of farmlands, land traffic generation, waste generation, soil pollution and runoff during construction.

Assessment of heavy metals in the surrounding soils and their bioconcentrations in few plants near Kathajodi river, Odisha, India

The present study was carried out mainly concentrate on assessment of heavy metal in the surrounding soils and their bioconcentration in the different plants near Kathajodi River. Soil and plant samples were collected along the Kathajodi river, Odisha, India. It was found that the dominance of heavy metals follows a decreasing order. The metal concentrations measured in soil at all location generally decreased in the order; Fe > Mn > Ni> Pb> Cu> Zn> Cd. Highest heavy metal concentration in river bank soil Cd (0.72±0.05 mgkg-1); Ni (3.85±0.15 mgkg-1); Cu (1.66±0.15 mgkg-1); Zn (1.54±0.16 mgkg-1); Pb (4.11±0.14 mgkg-1); Fe (142.0±1.16 mgkg-1); Mn (37.30±1.16 mgkg-1) at different site . Among all the grass species I. laxum has the higher affinity for the accumulation of Cd (0.85±0.05) followed by Zn, Pb and Cu. This study indicates that bio concentration of heavy metals in the study area show preferential Cd uptake in the plants followed by Zn, Pb and it may lead to accumulates in the exposed plant part posing risk along the food chain. This calls for immediate action to be implemented to carry out necessary environment mitigation measures for the river as it can be attributed the discharge of untreated domestic waste and effluents in the river.

Large-scale semi-automated acoustic monitoring allows to detect temporal decline of bush-crickets

Monitoring biodiversity over large spatial and temporal scales is crucial to assess the impact of global changes and environmental mitigation measures. However, large-scale monitoring of invertebrates remains poorly developed despite the importance of these organisms in ecosystem functioning. The development of new recording techniques and new methods of automatic species recognition based on sound detection and easily applicable within a citizen-science framework, offers interesting possibilities. However, the value of such protocols has not been tested for the study of temporal trends on a large spatial scale.We used an acoustic region-wide citizen-monitoring program of Orthoptera, conducted along roads, to assess the relevance of automatic species recognition methods to detect temporal trends while taking into account spatial and seasonal patterns of two Orthoptera species activity (Tettigonia viridissima Linnaeus, 1758, and Ruspolia nitidula Scopoli, 1786) at a large scale. Additionally, we tested the effect of climate and land-use variables on spatio-temporal abundance patterns using generalized linear mixed models. We found negative temporal trends for the two species across the survey period (2006–2012). The spatial variations were largely explained by the geoclimatic conditions and, to a lesser extent, by land use (negative effects of urbanization). The temporal variations were highly correlated to the climatic conditions of the year, and of the previous year (nonlinear effect of temperature, precipitation).To our knowledge, this paper describes the first successful attempt to calculate large-scale temporal trends of insect populations on the basis of an automatic identification process of acoustic data. We argue that acoustic monitoring along roads, coupled with the automatic recognition of species sounds, offers several advantages for assessing Orthoptera biodiversity response to global changes and environmental measures.

THE ROLE OF GREEN ENERGY SYSTEMS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

People are relying upon oil for primary energy and this will continue for a few more decades. Other conventional sources may be more enduring, but are not without serious disadvantages. The renewable energy resources are particularly suited for the provision of rural power supplies and a major advantage is that equipment such as flat plate solar driers, wind machines, etc., can be constructed using local resources. Without the advantage results from the feasibility of local maintenance and the general encouragement such local manufacture gives to the buildup of small-scale rural based industry. This communication comprises a comprehensive review of energy sources, the environment and sustainable development. It includes the renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency systems, energy conservation scenarios, energy savings in greenhouses environment and other mitigation measures necessary to reduce climate change. This study gives some examples of small-scale energy converters, nevertheless it should be noted that small conventional, i.e., engines are currently the major source of power in rural areas and will continue to be so for a long time to come. There is a need for some further development to suit local conditions, to minimise spares holdings, to maximise the interchangeability of the engine parts, and of the engine applications. Emphasis should be placed on full local manufacture. It is concluded that renewable environmentally friendly energy must be encouraged, promoted, implemented and demonstrated by a fullscale plant (device) especially for use in remote rural areas.

Wildfire susceptibility assessment at regional scale: a modeling approach for environmental mitigation measures

Wildfires play a crucial role in landscape transformation and soil degradation processes. Urban areas, settlements and infrastructure are increasingly exposed to wildfire threats because of their progressive expansion, potentially leading to significant economic losses.The purpose of this study is the application and calibration of different models and algorithms, applied at different scales, for preparedness and response to wildfire disaster-related activities. In more detail, wildfire ignition is assessed by the Weights of Evidence modeling technique; wildfire spreading is analyzed by applying two different modeling techniques: the former is based on the GRASS GIS heuristic algorithms (r.ros and r.spread); the latter on a genetic algorithm. All the models applied are calibrated on historical databases concerning past events and results are critically compared.

Environmental Noise Mitigation Measures for Lithuanian Railway Network

Railways are one of the most environmentally friendly types of transport. Rail transport requires less energy and emits less hazardous substances, but biggest issues with railways are an environmental noise pollution noise. To reduce this noise different measures could be implemented in different places – at the source, between the source and the receiver, at the receiver. Unfortunately today in Lithuanian rail transport is not very popular mean of transport amongst travellers. Therefore, it is necessary to reconstruct railways lines to increase train speed, comfort for passengers, etc. In order to promote its development, minimal impact on environmental noise pollution must be ensured. Various parameters of track influence the level of emitted noise. This article presents an overview of noise mitigation measures in Lithuanian railway design documentation (rail type, wheel roughness, rail dampers, noise barriers, exchange of brake blocks, rail grinding, noise insulated windows, etc.) and also comparison of their effectiveness.

Adaptation of EVIAVE methodology for monitoring and follow-up when evaluating the environmental impact of landfills

Treatment and final disposal of Municipal Solid Waste can have a significant role in the generation of negative environmental impacts. As a prevention strategy, such activities are subjected to the process of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Still, the follow-up of Environmental Management Plans or mitigation measures is limited, for one due to a lack of methodological approaches. In searching for possibilities, the University of Granada (Spain) developed a diagnostic methodology named EVIAVE, which allows one to quantify, by means of indexes, the environmental impact of landfills in view of their location and the conditions of exploitation. EVIAVE is applicable within the legal framework of the European Union and can be adapted to the environmental and legal conditions of other countries. This study entails its adaptation in Colombia, for the follow-up and control of the EIA process for landfills. Modifications involved inclusion of the environmental elements flora and fauna, and the evaluation of the environmental descriptors in agreement with the concept of vulnerability. The application of the modified EVIAVE in Colombian landfills allowed us to identify the elements affected by the operating conditions and maintenance. It may be concluded that this methodology is viable and effective for the follow-up and environmental control of EIA processes for landfills, and to analyze the associated risks, as it takes into account related environmental threats and vulnerabilities.

Environmental Impact Assessment of Boga Bridge Patukhali

The economic development and social unity largely depend on the communication facilities. Improvement of national highway network in Bangladesh has been obstructed due to some rivers. Lohalia is one of the largest rivers in Patuakhali district divides Bauphal and Dumki upazila. The major transport barrier between the Bauphal and Patuakhali, Barisal city is Boga Bridge. The proposed 900 meter long Boga Bridge will be constructed under the supervision of World Bank, ADB, local and international experts. This paper shows the environmental impact assessment of Boga Bridge over the Lohalia River. The aim of the study is to identify the major environmental impact, mitigation measures and environmental impact value of the Boga Bridge. The major impacts of the Boga Bridge are loss of livelihood, loss of land, delta formation, loss of trees and rare species, loss of fisheries, navigational restrictions, surface water pollution, air pollution, soil contamination, river bank erosion, change the river flow. The environmental impact value of this project is “–3” (negative three). The mitigation measures for the Boga Bridge project are cash compensation, relocation, periodic dredging, plant two for one felled, provide new jobs, revetment, provide safe water, good food and sanitation etc. By the proper implementation of these mitigation measures must help to reduce these impacts.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 8(1): 73-77 2015

Rent seizing and environmental concerns: A parametric valuation of the Italian hydropower sector

This paper is the first attempt to estimate the hydroelectricity rent in Italy, as several concessions are about to expire, and the first to analyze the implications of different redistribution mechanisms. Due to budgetary constraints, local authorities want to capture a higher part of the rent, thought to be considerable. At the same time, the renewal procedure entails the implementation of environmental mitigation measures, as set forth in the water framework directive. Hence, rent-seizing and environmental protection generate a major trade-off. We focus our analysis on the County of Sondrio, home to 18% of the overall hydropower capacity, where the first renewals will take place. We obtain the highest rent ever estimated for hydropower production, averaging from 30.3€/MWh to 82.4€/MWh. These high values explain why local authorities are pushing for the introduction of a 30% revenue sharing fee, as they would earn almost 90% of the rent, much more than the 50% currently seized. Albeit satisfying the rent-seizing objective, the proposed fee hinders the implementation of costly mitigation measures. In this paper, we advocate the adoption of a resource rent tax, as we show that it would reduce the trade-off between rent-seizing and environmental protection.

A state-impact-state methodology for assessing environmental impact in land use planning

The implementation of land use planning (LUP) has a large impact on environmental quality. There lacks a widely accepted and consolidated approach to assess the LUP environmental impact using Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). In this paper, we developed a state-impact-state (SIS) model employed in the LUP environmental impact assessment (LUPEA). With the usage of Matter-element (ME) and Extenics method, the methodology based on the SIS model was established and applied in the LUPEA of Zoucheng County, China. The results show that: (1) this methodology provides an intuitive and easy understanding logical model for both the theoretical analysis and application of LUPEA; (2) the spatial multi-temporal assessment from base year, near-future year to planning target year suggests the positive impact on the environmental quality in the whole County despite certain environmental degradation in some towns; (3) besides the spatial assessment, other achievements including the environmental elements influenced by land use and their weights, the identification of key indicators in LUPEA, and the appropriate environmental mitigation measures were obtained; and (4) this methodology can be used to achieve multi-temporal assessment of LUP environmental impact of County or Town level in other areas.

Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) as bioindicators of stable water quality in Sydney Harbour during remediation of the Sydney Tar Ponds, Nova Scotia, Canada

Contaminants were measured in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) in Sydney Harbour (SH) during remediation of the Sydney Tar Ponds (STPs) to assess the spatio-temporal distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and metals during baseline and remediation. Overall distribution of chemicals in mussels was compared to contaminants in other marine indicators. Metal concentrations in mussels showed some minor temporal variability, but did not appear to be directly related to remediation activities. Contaminants showed stable or decreasing concentrations, except Pb and Zn. Individual PAH compounds were mostly undetected, except for fluoranthene and pyrene. Concentrations of fluoranthene in mussels and water were weakly related (R2 = 0.72). PCBs were undetected, except during year 2 remediation at some near-field stations. Contaminants measured during this study were much lower than previously reported in other studies of mussels in SH, likely due to ongoing natural recovery and because of environmental mitigation measures implemented during remediation activities at the STPs. The lack of detection of most individual PAHs, PCBs, and low bioaccumulation of metals during baseline and remediation using mussels as bioindicators reveal subtle improvements in environmental quality in SH.

A small step toward environmentally sustainable transport? The media debate over the Finnish carbon dioxide-based car tax reform

Societies are increasingly characterised by increasing mobility of people and materials. Consequently, harmful environmental impacts of transport are likely to increase unless specific policies aimed at mitigating these impacts can be successfully implemented. Based on EU-level requirements for carbon dioxide emission reductions, a car tax reform was enacted in Finland in 2008. By using the environmental protection process (EPP) framework as a conceptual tool, we perform a quantitative content analysis of media discussion of the car tax reform. The EPP framework is an integrative tool, aimed at an overall view of the characteristics of environmental problems and mitigation measures. The results show that societal factors, emissions, measures and the potential side-effects of the reform dominated the media discussion. Short-term impacts were emphasised over longer-term perspectives in the discussion’s future-orientation. Overall, it seems that in spite of a relatively wide-ranging discussion, the media debate contributed only marginally to public understanding of the prerequisites for environmentally sustainable transport.

Reuse and management of brine in sustainable SWRO desalination plants

Abstract Reverse osmosis is a widely used and rapidly growing desalination technology. Despite the many benefits the technology has to offer, still challenging to all desalination plants is the environmentally sensitive effects attributed to the discharge into the sea of the rejected brine, which can very often severely damage the receiving environment, and air pollutant emissions attributed to the energy demand of the process. The list of potential impacts can be extended; however, the available information on the marine discharges alone indicates the need for environmental mitigation measures. In order to safeguard a sustainable use of the desalination technology, there is a need to develop, in the short term, new management proposals to achieve a minimization of the impact and valorization of brine. These alternatives should be both economically viable and effective, not only for new setting up plants, but also for those already installed. An adequate treatment sequence has been proposed and developed ...

How much can be gained by optimizing nutrient abatement spatially – Cost-efficiency comparison of non-point arable loads from different Finnish watersheds

Abstract Targeting has become the buzz word in the national agri-environmental policy reform in Finland. It is generally accepted that more environmental benefits could be reaped by implementing environmental mitigation measures where they have the highest positive impact. However, considering one of the main environmental problems in Finland resulting from agriculture, eutrophication, the identification of first-best policy or even the biggest contributors among the diffuse nutrient sources remains as a considerable challenge. The model developed in this study aims to demonstrate how the agricultural nutrient load potential can be calculated in a way which supports the identifying of cost-efficient abatement policies. We use meta-modeling of dynamic nutrient load model to establish load parameters for non linear economic optimization to derive abatement cost functions for agricultural nutrient loads of two Finnish catchments. We calculate the difference in costs of the spatially optimal allocation of red...

Opportunities for Sustainable Low Carbon Energy Research Development and Applications

People to rely upon oil for primary energy and this for a few more decades. Other conventional sources may be more enduring, but are not without serious disadvantages. The renewable energy resources are particularly suited for the provision of rural power supplies and a major advantage is that equipment such as flat plate solar driers, wind machines, etc., can be constructed using local resources and without the advantage results from the feasibility of local maintenance and the general encouragement such local manufacture gives to the build up of small-scale rural based industry. This article comprises a comprehensive review of energy sources, the environment and sustainable development. It includes the renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency systems, energy conservation scenarios, energy savings in greenhouses environment and other mitigation measures necessary to reduce climate change. This article gives some examples of small-scale energy converters, nevertheless it should be noted that small conventional comma i.e, engines are currently the major source of power in rural areas and will continue to be so for a long time to come. There is a need for some further development to suit local conditions, to minimise spares holdings, to maximise interchangeability both of engine parts and of the engine application. Emphasis should be placed on full local manufacture. It is concluded that renewable environmentally friendly energy must be encouraged, promoted, implemented and demonstrated by full-scale plant especially for use in remote rural areas.

Determination of Significance of Environmental Impacts of Development Projects: A Case Study of Environmental Impact Assessment of Indrawati-3 Hydropower Project in Nepal

The environmental impacts are commonly quantified in the EIA studies by rating, ranking and scaling. The National EIA Guidelines, 1993, Nepal provides a guideline to score the impacts in terms of magnitude, extent, and duration. This step is commonly known as impact prediction in the EIA process. The predicted scores are multiplied by the weightage value of the resource; likely to be affected. The application of the weightage transforms the predicted values of the impacts into their “significance”—a concept used in the environmental decision making. In other words the significance value entails assignment of relative judgment values to the impacts. The impacts, thus, can ranked based on their significance. The impact ranking is more useful in evaluating the socio-economic impacts. Unlike air, water and noise quality, which can be assessed against established standards; the socio-economic impacts do not have standard scale and are difficult to rank. Importance weighting of socio-economic impacts are commonly determined by the consensus obtained from the interaction with the local people, agencies, NGOs and experts. The impact ranking in the EIA process is unavoidable, firstly to prioritize the urgent environmental issues and design mitigation measures accordingly and also provide coherent linkages among the issues, and plan monitoring and auditing linkage with the proposed mitigation measures. Furthermore, it also provide strong basis of decision making, and thus facilitate the decision makers. The process of impact prediction, determination of significance and ranking were applied in the EIA of Indrwati-3 Hydroelectric Project, which is one of the successful cases of EIA in Nepal. The authors believe that the impacts predicted and quantified through this method are being focussed to more on the local concerns, since it seeks an active involvement of the local people who are likely to be affected.

Effects of hydropower generation and opportunities for environmental flow management in Swedish riverine ecosystems

Summary1. Hydropower is often presented as a clean and renewable energy source that is environmentally preferable to fossil fuels or nuclear power. Hydropower production, however, fundamentally transforms rivers and their ecosystems by fragmenting channels and altering river flows. These changes reduce flow velocity and the number of rapids, and reduce or alter wetland, floodplain and delta ecosystems. Dams disrupt dispersal of riverine organisms and sediment dynamics and may alter riverine biodiversity composition and abundance. Freshwater ecosystems now belong among the world’s most threatened ecosystems.2. Water managers are beginning to recognise the need to combine demands for social and economic development with the protection of the resource base on which socio‐economic benefits rely. Environmental flows can help to balance ecosystem and human needs for water, both when constructing new dams and in re‐licensing existing dams.3. We briefly review the impacts of hydropower generation on freshwater ecosystems by discussing different types of dams and development, and by providing examples from Sweden of how environmental effects of hydropower production could be mitigated. Special emphasis is given to flow regulation through re‐operation of dams.4. Regulated rivers in Sweden were developed with little consideration of ecological effects, with most dams lacking migration pathways or minimum flow releases. There is thus a substantial potential for improvement of ecological conditions, such as naturalisation of flow regimes and reestablishment of connectivity, in regulated river reaches but technical hurdles imply major challenges for rehabilitation and mitigation. Most regulated rivers consist of cascades of consecutive reservoirs and impoundments, further constraining possible actions to improve ecological conditions.5. Most environmental mitigation measures require flow modifications to serve ecosystems, implying reduced power production. An important challenge for river management is to identify situations where measures involving relatively small production losses can have major ecological advantages.6. Climate change during the 21st century is expected to increase runoff in northern and central Sweden and make the annual hydrograph more similar to variation in electricity demand, i.e. a lower spring flood and increased run‐off during winter months. This could provide opportunities for operating dams and power stations to the benefit of riverine ecosystems. On the other hand, demands to produce hydropower are likely to increase as fossil fuels are phased out, leading to increased pressures on free‐flowing rivers and aquatic ecosystems.

Impact assessment of heavy metals pollution of Vartur lake, Bangalore

The unscientific disposal of wastes and pollution in urban water bodies has caused immense problems not only to human beings but also to the aquatic biodiversity. Assessment of heavy metals in Vartur Lake, Bangalore, revealed that Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), and Lead (Pb) all exceeded drinking water standards. Nevertheless, Chromium (Cr) exceeded the CPCB’s tolerance limits for water bodies subjected to effluent discharge. In Eichornia crassipes, Cd, Co, Cr, and Ni were critical. In the sediments, Cadmium (Cd) and Nickel (Ni) exceeded the Probable Effect Level (PEL). Sediment Geo-accumulation Index of the lake showed moderate contamination with Mn, Cu, and Pb. Cr had the highest plant/sediments metal concentration factor even though its bioavailability in plants (71.5 ppm) was lower compared to Manganese (192.3 ppm). This calls for immediate action to be implemented to carry out necessary environmental mitigation measures for the lake.