Impact Assessment Research Articles

Impact assessment of future LULC and climate change on hydrology in the Upper Pennar basin, India

Impact assessment of future LULC and climate change on hydrology in the Upper Pennar basin, India

Optimizing industrial flow measurements in mineral processing: Utilizing radiotracers for enhanced data reliability within Mining 4.0.

As the mining sector undergoes rapid transformation, Industry 4.0 principles — such as data digitalization, process automation, and Big Data Analytics — are crucial for developing intelligent mineral processing plants. These principles advance processes towards an interconnected sequence of steps, each relying on high-quality data. Within this framework, low-uncertainty flowmeter data is vital for accurate metallurgical mass balance determination, efficient process control, and the correct application of advanced analytical tools. However, harsh mining conditions can cause significant deviations in flowmeter readings, necessitating robust data validation methods. This paper introduces the novel application of the radiotracer methodology, which provides certified uncertainties around 1%, to optimize flowmeter data accuracy and align with Mining 4.0 requirements. Three industrial validation examples are presented: Flow meter adjustment in leaching processes, evaluating a NaHS loop piping circuit in a molybdenum flotation plant and validating flow meters to assess the hydraulic behavior of recirculation pumping stations for water balance quantification. On-site validations at the leaching plant revealed that only 36% of the measurements were within the acceptable 5% error margin. Flow assurance was confirmed in the NaHS loop piping circuit as radiotracer velocity data showed no blockages. Deviations in the recirculation pumping stations, ranging from 6.91% to 22.55%, highlighted the need for flowmeter adjustments. These findings underscore the value of radiotracers as a validation method. This paper also provides insights for water and environmental impact assessment, metallurgical mass balance calculations, and process optimization, emphasizing the need to integrate radiotracer methodology within the Mining 4.0 framework.

Impact Assessment of Invasive Alien Plant Species on Chimdi (Barju) Lake of Eastern Nepal

The present study has been carried out to evaluate the impact assessment of invasive alien plant species on Chimdi Lake using focus group discussion method. Chimdi (Barju) Lake is an important wetland in Eastern Nepal, faces ecological challenges due to the rapid spread of invasive alien plant species. Assessing the impact of these species is essential to understand their effects on the lake's biodiversity and ecosystem services and to develop effective management strategies for the conservation of the lake. The lake was found to be dominated by two aquatic IAPS, Pontederia crassipes followed by Ipomoea carnea. Additionally, eight other terrestrial IAPS (Ageretina adenophora, Chromolaena adorata, Lantana camara, Mikania micrantha, Mimosa pudica, Senna occidentalis., Senna tora, and Xanthium strumarium) were also recorded from the lake. Apart from these, there were several more macrophytes and hydrophytes, such as Nelumbo nucifera, Nymphaea alba, Ipomoea aquatica, etc., which created a thick layer of peat over lake water. These IAPS characteristics encourage growth and cover in water bodies, which block sunlight, change the chemistry of the water, and also reduce the habitat quality of native water animals and plants.

Human-Centered Design in Industrial Engineering: Integrating User Needs, Design Decisions, and Social Impact Assessment

Industrial engineering, with its emphasis on optimizing processes, is theoretically centered on human factors, but in practice, this focus is often underrepresented within complex systems. This paper proposes a paradigm shift by advocating for the integration of Human-centered design principles. HCD offers a robust framework for understanding user needs throughout the design process, leading to the creation of not just efficient, but also usable, effective, and ultimately, sustainable industrial systems. We argue that human-centered design transcends traditional efficiency measures. By incorporating user research methods like ethnographic studies and usability testing, industrial engineers gain deeper insights into user capabilities, limitations, and motivations. This knowledge informs design decisions that optimize not just output, but also human-system interaction, leading to improved safety, operator well-being, and ultimately, increased system effectiveness. Furthermore, the paper emphasizes the crucial role of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) within the human-centered design framework for industrial engineering. SIA encourages engineers to move beyond user-centric design and consider the broader societal implications of their creations. This ensures that industrial systems not only function flawlessly for users, but also contribute positively to the surrounding environment and communities. By outlining a potential workflow that integrates HCD and SIA, this paper proposes a holistic approach to industrial engineering project development. This approach prioritizes user research, iterative design based on user feedback, and a comprehensive evaluation of potential social impacts. By adopting this methodology, industrial engineers can redefine efficiency, creating not just productive but also user-centric, sustainable, and socially responsible systems that contribute to a more equitable future.

A quantitative environmental impact assessment of Australian ultra-processed beverages and impact reduction scenarios.

Ultra-processed beverages (UPBs) have known adverse impacts on health, but their impact on the environment is not well understood across different environmental indicators. This study aimed to quantify the environmental impacts of water-based UPBs and bottled waters sold in Australia and assess the impacts of various scenarios which may reduce such impacts in the future. This study presents a quantitative environmental impact assessment of a major sub-category of UPBs (water-based UPBs, including soft drinks, energy drinks, cordials, fruit drinks) and non-UPBs (bottled waters) in Australia. Alternative mitigation scenarios based on existing health and environmental targets were also modelled using sales projections for 2027. Sales data from Euromonitor International were matched with environmental impact data from peer-reviewed lifecycle assessment databases. Environmental impact indicators included greenhouse gas emissions, land use, eutrophication potential, acidification potential, water scarcity and plastic use. The Australian beverage supply in 2022 and projected sales for 2027. N/A. Environmental impacts of UPBs were higher than bottled waters. UPBs accounted for 81-99% of total environmental impacts, partly driven by the volume of sales. Reformulation, reducing UPB consumption and increasing recycling all led to meaningful reductions in environmental impacts but with diverse effects across different environmental indicators. The largest reductions occurred when policy scenarios were combined to represent a suite of policy actions which aimed to meet health and environmental targets (30-82% environmental savings). The results indicate that implementing a suite of policies which act to target multiple drivers of environmental harm are likely to lead to the most environmental benefits.

Assessing the Role of Safe Agricultural Practices in Enhancing Farmers' Income from Vegetable Cultivation

In Bangladesh, farmers grow both general and high-value vegetables, which are essential for providing necessary vitamins and minerals and are cultivated throughout the year across different seasons. However, due to limited knowledge of modern farming techniques, many farmers are hesitant to produce high-value vegetables. This study aims to examine the development of vegetable farming after the implementation of safe cultivation methods for both general and high-value crops, along with the resulting changes in farmers' income. The research utilized and restructured data collected during various baseline and impact assessments to meet the study objectives. By using structured questionnaires, the study gathered key insights into the socio-economic conditions, land use for agriculture, farming techniques, marketing, and financing practices during the project period. The findings reveal that average vegetable production, revenue, and profits have increased by 20 percent, 53 percent, and 48 percent respectively since the project’s inception. The adoption of safe farming methods and improved marketing strategies has led to higher employment, better-quality vegetables free from harmful substances, enhanced soil quality, and greater income for farmers. Raising awareness and providing appropriate training along with logistical support will enable farmers to commercially grow and process both general and high-value vegetables.

A population-level impact assessment of the National Health Mission on maternal and child health outcomes in India.

India launched the National Health Mission (NHM) in 2005 to reduce maternal and child mortality by providing equitable, affordable, and quality healthcare services. Studies evaluating the impact of NHM primarily focused on the uptake of maternal and child health (MCH) services, revealing a dearth of evidence on related health outcomes. Using annual time-series data, we estimated the population-level (intention-to-treat effect) impact of the NHM on MCH outcomes such as infant mortality rate (IMR), stillbirth rate, neonatal mortality rate (NMR), and maternal mortality ratio (MMR). Our results exhibit strong consensus on the positive impact on IMR in the post-NHM period, with a significant reduction in its rate and regional inequity. Conversely, our estimates show a moderate impact on stillbirth rate and an insignificant impact on NMR and MMR. Our findings inform policy decisions for strengthening the public health system to amplify the positive gains in MCH outcomes.

Expediting Recovery: Lessons and Challenges from the Great East Japan Earthquake to War-Torn Ukraine

The ongoing war in Ukraine poses an uncertain future, highlighting the need to prioritize reconstruction efforts even before the war ends. Japan’s recovery mechanisms have developed based on the experiences and lessons learned from natural disasters such as the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and from war damage by World War II. This study aims to draw practical insights and lessons from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake for Ukraine’s postwar recovery and help achieve rapid and high-quality results. This study reviews the literature, policy documents, and reports on recovery from the disaster. It was found that streamlining environmental impact assessments, land use regulations, and land acquisition could accelerate recovery. Engaging the private sector promoted the reconstruction of critical infrastructure and housing projects. This Japanese case study highlights the importance of ensuring sustained commitment and avoiding setbacks in the recovery process by establishing legislative, planning, and institutional frameworks, as well as financial mechanisms. Protecting human health is paramount, even if more resources are needed to manage hazardous materials. Applying these valuable lessons to Ukraine requires careful consideration, including leveraging foreign investments to supplement limited domestic resources and establishing effective governance structures that promote transparency, accountability, and coordination.

Exporting the just transition? The European Investment Bank, the European Green Deal and environmental and social rules for green projects outside the EU

Abstract The European Union’s European Green Deal (EGD) aims for a just transition to carbon neutrality both within and beyond its borders. This contribution to the special issue on the external dimensions of the EGD focuses on the role of the European Investment Bank (EIB). As a newly declared climate bank and a major funder of ‘green’ projects, the EIB’s role in this vein deserves attention. Do the environmental and social principles the EIB uses to judge funding applications contribute to an environmentally just transition? We explore this question by identifying key issues in impact assessment processes in the literature, brought into focus through an original illustrative case study on the Gibe III hydroelectric dam inaugurated in 2016 in Ethiopia, and linking these to three central aspects of Environmental Justice: recognitional, procedural and redistributive justice. This forms the basis for an analysis of the EIB’s environmental and social statements over time, and a reflection on how far current rules address critical issues. While the EIB’s rules pay increasing attention to critical issues such as the content of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), and questions around inclusion, timing, and trust, their contribution to a just transition could be strengthened by sharing responsibility for impact assessments with funding applicants and including rules about their co-design. A bottom-up approach to environmental and social issues could contribute to building shared norms amongst funders and a more universal adoption of ESIAs, and to strengthening networks of grassroots expertise to tackle power asymmetries.

Direction and Desire

In this contribution, Research in Residence (RinR) co-facilitators Mary Elizabeth Luka and Robin Sokolsoki host a conversation with members of the RinR Funder Advisory, addressing the dynamics of collaboration, impact assessment, and applied research in the Canadian culture sector, using RinR as a case in point. While projects and operational approaches that incorporate partnerships and collaboration have been encouraged and funded for many decades through programs such as the Digital Strategy Fund at the Canada Council for the Arts, or by the Social Sciences and Research Council of Canada through its suite of partnership grants, how funders collaborate or enable partnerships among themselves or more directly with sector organizations has been less supported or evident. Additionally, over the last decade, industry and scholarly researchers have repeatedly noted that the sector tends to depend on a narrow band of research practices to conduct impact assessments— primarily from financial or economic points of view—and thereby to inform future directions not just for the organizations but also for the sector. To respond to this situation, in 2020, Mass Culture convened a series of discussions that resulted in various levels of resource support as well as participation commitments from several funder organizations for what became the Research-in-Residence: Arts’ Civic Impact initiative in 2021-23. This article traces the snowball effect of bringing various levels of funders onboard for this project before turning to discussions of how the group worked together throughout the project, including key learnings shared across the funding ecosystem and into the sector.

GIS-based assessment of soil erosion impact and mitigation strategies for sustainable agriculture in Ghana's most vulnerable region

GIS-based assessment of soil erosion impact and mitigation strategies for sustainable agriculture in Ghana's most vulnerable region

Neurodevelopmental impairment in children with Robin sequence: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To estimate the global prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment in children with Robin sequence (RS) at one year or more of age. Electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, Emcare, MedNAR and Cochrane library were searched systematically from inception to 31st May 2024. Studies reporting on the neurodevelopmental (global, cognitive, or motor) outcomes in children with RS were included. Data was extracted using a standardized form by two independent reviewers. Overall and subgroup-specific prevalence (95% CI) of neurodevelopmental impairment was estimated with random-effects meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed for three categories of RS: isolated (no other associated abnormalities), syndromic RS (associated with a genetic syndrome), and RS plus (associated with non-syndromic congenital abnormalities). A total of 2919 records were screened. Seventeen studies were included in the systematic review, of which data from 16 studies (n=1008) were pooled for meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment was 19% (12-26%). Neurodevelopmental impairment prevalence in isolated RS was 10% (5 to16%), syndromic RS 19% (02 to44%), and RS plus 63% (39 to84%). The overall prevalence in non-isolated RS (syndromic and plus) was 35% (22 to49%). This is first systematic review and meta-analysis to report on the global prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment in children with RS. Children with RS are at high risk of neurodevelopmental impairment and should be considered for long-term neurodevelopmental follow up. These findings will guide clinician counselling of parents, resource allocation, facilitate benchmarking, and enable the assessment of treatment impact in future studies.

Integrated assessment of mucilage impact on human health using the One Health approach: Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens in the Marmara Sea, Türkiye.

This study employed a One Health approach to assess the potential impact of mucilage on human health by characterizing the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens strains isolated during the 2021 mucilage event in the Marmara Sea, Türkiye. Mucilage, a gelatinous organic substance exacerbated by climate change, disrupts marine ecosystems by depleting oxygen, threatening biodiversity, and serving as a reservoir for pathogenic microorganisms. Surface and benthic mucilage samples collected from the Marmara Sea were analysed for AMR profiles using genome analysis, the BD Phoenix™ 100 automated system, and E-test methods. The study identified 13E. coli and one C. perfringens strain, harboring 244 and six AMR genes from 21 and eight drug classes, respectively, along with multiple virulence factors (VFs). The E. coli strains exhibited four distinct serotypes (O138:H28 [Mu-3], O18:H49 [Mu-4], O128:H12 [Mu-35] and O101:H10 [Mu-125]), reported for the first time from Türkiye and mucilage. Notably, anaerobic microorganisms like C. perfringens thrived in mucilage, underscoring their ecological significance. Seasonal and climatic factors influencing mucilage formation amplify its role in transmitting antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, posing significant risks to public and environmental health. The findings highlight the urgent need for continuous monitoring and mitigation strategies for mucilage-related hazards.

Assessing consistency in drought risks in India with multiple multivariate meteorological drought indices (MMDI) under climate change.

This study investigates the spatio-temporal consistency of different MMDI formulations and their role in meteorological drought characterization uncertainty under historic and future climates using ERA5 reanalysis, and outputs from eight Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 models, respectively, across different climate zones and shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP) in the Indian subcontinent. Six MMDI formulations namely the Standardized Precipitation Evaporation Index (SPEI), Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI), and self-calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI), Standardized Palmer Drought Index (SPDI), Standardized Moisture Anomaly Index (SZI) and Supply Demand Drought Index (SDDI) are used. A suite of analysis including agreement mapping, category difference analysis and uncertainty contribution analysis using global sensitivity analysis (GSA) are employed to quantify the consistency of MMDIs and uncertainty in drought characterization due to the MMDI formulation. The variation in MMDI consistency due to different reference evapotranspiration (ETo) methods is also studied. Results demonstrate strong agreement among the MMDIs under historic climate. Under climate change scenarios our findings demonstrate broad agreement among majority of the MMDIs across the study domain, but in substantial areas where MMDI not agree, especially for higher emission scenarios and arid zones. Increased uncertainty under climate change is due to SDDI and SPEI projecting dryer conditions while scPDSI projecting wetter conditions in the far future period owing to varying degrees of sensitivity of MMDIs to its constituent variables (Precipitation and ETo). Results also show that the uncertainty due to MMDIs varied considerably based on ETo methods as well. Finally, based on GSA analysis, the most significant sources of uncertainty in drought projections under climate change are attributed to MMDI-GCM interactions and MMDIs for the Penman-Monteith method. Discrepancies in drought estimates caused by the MMDI selection highlight the need for careful evaluation of drought indices before adopting for climate change impact assessment.

Utilization of molybdenum tailings in subgrade materials: Orthogonal experiments, long-term leaching behavior of heavy metals, and environmental impact assessment

Utilization of molybdenum tailings in subgrade materials: Orthogonal experiments, long-term leaching behavior of heavy metals, and environmental impact assessment

Mechanistic analysis and environmental impact assessment of ferrate degradation of sulfonamide antibiotics

Mechanistic analysis and environmental impact assessment of ferrate degradation of sulfonamide antibiotics

Co-benefits of nature-based solutions: A health impact assessment of the Barcelona Green Corridor (Eixos Verds) plan.

The Green Corridors Plan (Eixos Verds Plan), proposed by the Barcelona City Council, aims to enhance urban well-being, environmental sustainability, and resilience by transforming one in every three streets into green corridors. Although initially designed for city-wide implementation, only the first phase, focused on the centric Eixample district, has been completed, and the overall plan implementation has been postponed. Our aim is to evaluate the health co-benefits of implementing the Green Corridors plan citywide, focusing on the direct effects of increased exposure to greenness and the impact of temperature reduction on mortality. We conducted a comprehensive Health Impact Assessment (HIA) considering direct effects of expanding green spaces (GS) and the impact on temperature reduction. Preventable mortality at the census tract level for adult residents was estimated, and to address uncertainties, we performed Monte Carlo iterations. We computed the percentage increase in GS (land use) and tree cover and converted them into Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to conduct the HIA, employing a Generalized Additive Model (GAM). We used the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) coupled with the urban parameterizations "Building Effect Parameterization" (BEP) and "Building Energy Model" (BEM) for temperature modelling. Hourly temperatures from 25/06/2015 to 25/07/2015 were simulated, both with and without Green Corridors Plan implementation. City-wide implementation of the Green Corridors plan would increase average GS by 3.64% (IQR: 2.17% - 4.40%) and NDVI by 0.286 (IQR: 0.256-0.304) per census tract. This could potentially prevent 178 premature deaths annually (95% CI: 116-247), equating to 13 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI: 9-19). The average daily temperature reduction per census tract was estimated at 0.05°C, with a maximum reduction of 0.42°C. Temperature reduction could potentially prevent 5 deaths during the simulated month. Additionally, we estimated a mean decrease in the thermal stress of 0.11°C, reaching up to 1.48°C at its peak. The Green Corridors plan can make significant contributions to a healthier urban environment. To address climate and especially heat impacts, complementary strategies to achieve more substantial temperature reduction are needed. Overall, our findings underscore the potential of nature-based solutions (NbS), exemplified by the Green Corridors Plan, in creating more sustainable and health-promoting urban environments.

Climate change risk trap: low-carbon spatial restructuring and disaster risk in petroleum-based economies

Abstract The economic risks from climate change can be separated into two categories: physical risks from increased frequency and magnitude of extreme weather and climate events, and transition risks due to rapid decarbonisation leading to stranded assets and shifts in production and the labour market. On the global level, the two risks are widely recognized as trade-offs by the academic and policy literature: rapid decarbonisation increases transition risks while reducing physical risks, and vice versa for a delayed reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, little is known about the interaction between the two risks on smaller geographical scales. This paper investigates the interactions between physical and transition risks on the sub-national level for petroleum-based economies. Their strong dependency on the export of fossil fuels requires a more far-reaching economic restructuring to meet both local and global emission targets than most other economies, exposing them to high transition risks. At the same time, the profound economic changes resulting from a low-carbon transition lead to a spatial redistribution of assets and labour, when brown assets and jobs get stranded and new green assets and jobs are created elsewhere. Building on the literature on spatial economic restructuring and climate disaster risk, we show that, unlike the common conceptualisation as a trade-off, physical and transition risk can increase simultaneously on the sub-national level. We call this dynamic the climate change risk trap. The paper provides an empirical illustration of this trap using the example of flash flood risk in Kuwait, a wealthy petroleum-based economy in the Gulf region. It shows how decisions on urban planning and low-carbon economic restructuring have increased flash flood risk. The analysis highlights the importance of considering climate disaster risk and environmental impact assessments in low-carbon transition planning to avoid falling into the climate change risk trap.

Odor impact assessment in the plume – A validation using tracer gases in two spatial farm configurations

Odor impact assessment in the plume – A validation using tracer gases in two spatial farm configurations

A probabilistic risk assessment framework for the impact assessment of extreme events on renewable power plant components

A probabilistic risk assessment framework for the impact assessment of extreme events on renewable power plant components