Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix Research Articles

A comparative analysis of landfill practice between Poland and Indonesia

This research addresses the global challenge of waste management (WM) by comparing landfill management practices in Poland (Radiowo landfill) and Indonesia (Kebon Kongok landfill) to define the differences in landfill WM systems and analyse the main challenges in implementing effective landfill management WM systems in Poland and Indonesia. The data was analysed by employing the rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM). The analysis focused on three critical areas: gas management, leachate management and landfill reclamation. The results showed that the Polish landfill demonstrated high efficacy, particularly in leachate management with water quality impact (96), gas emissions control with methane extraction (96), and site reclamation for site restoration (96). For these purposes, the landfill uses advanced leachate treatment technologies and drainage systems. Conversely, Indonesian landfill practices show severe inefficiencies, with negative scores in almost all sectors. The lowest score was in leachate management with water quality impact (–48), gas emissions with air quality impact (–48), and site reclamation in community space development (–48). The study contributes to the sustainable waste management discourse, providing actionable insights for policymakers and environmental managers.

Environmental impact assessment with rapid impact assessment matrix method: during disaster conditions

In the last several decades, Iran’s ecosystem has suffered due to the careless usage of natural resources. Cities have grown in an uneven and non-normative way, and poor project management has been a major issue, particularly in large cities. An even greater number of environmental factors and engineering regulations are not relevant to projects. Because of this, in order to ascertain a project’s environmental impact, an environmental impact assessment (EIA), is required. Using the rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) is one method of applying it to EIA. Reducing subjectivity brings objectivity and transparency. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a thorough EIA was carried out for the Tehran project utilizing the RIAM and other possibilities. This research is the first to combine the methodology that was discussed during the incident. Through the use of the RIAM technique, the environmental impact of COVID-19 was to be quantified in this inquiry. The research examined lockdown procedures and the COVID-19 pandemic to create an EIA indicator. In a real-world case study conducted in Tehran, Iran, the impact of the initiative was evaluated using the RIAM methodology during the COVID-19 epidemic. The results demonstrated that COVID-19 had both beneficial and harmful effects. Decision-makers were effectively informed about the COVID-19 pandemic’s environmental consequences on people and the environment, as well as how to minimize negative effects, according to the EIA technique that used RIAM. This is the first research to integrate the EIA during a crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, with the RIAM approach.

Assessing the Socio-Economic and Environmental Impact of Koidu Holdings on Local Communities in Tankoro Chiefdom, Kono District, Sierra Leone - Using the Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix Method

The study used the RIAM technique to evaluate environmental sustainability using an environmental impact assessment through nine sessions of focus group discussions in the affected mining communities. The system's methodology involves assigning scores to impact component issues based on predetermined criteria, which are then transferred into arrangements that indicate the extent of positive or negative effects. The RIAM analysis reveals that kimberlite diamond mining has predominant negative environmental impacts across all three communities, A, B, and C. However, certain social and economic components reflected positive changes. Nevertheless, the positive impacts on those three communities are just about the same. From the total scores summary for the three communities, it is obvious that the kimberlite mining in the affected communities have negative effects than the positive effects. Based on these findings, recommendations were made for improvement.

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.

Assessing environmental health impacts of coal mining exploitation in Iran: A Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) approach for environmental protection

Environmental Impact Assessment is the process of evaluating the effects caused by a project on the environment. The outcomes generated by this assessment can lead to a reduction of the negative effects and an increase in the positive effects caused by mine projects. The present study was conducted to evaluate the environmental impact assessment of the Goliran Coal Mine in northern Iran. In the descriptive-analytical study, to achieve the objectives, observatory surveys were conducted around the coal mine using a checklist, which was about the positive and negative effects of a coal mine. Then the data were entered into the RIAM and the positive and negative effects were ranked and the most important effects were determined. In RIAM, one point is assigned to each component. 17 important activities for environmental impacts were identified using a checklist. Among the activities carried out at the coal mine site, the major ones included tunnel excavation, construction of the rail line collection and disposal of coal mine effluent, coal transportation, collection and disposal of mine tailings, and technical defects and leakage. The scores of each environmental factor were based on the four environmental components: physical/chemical, biological/ecological, social/cultural, and economic/operational. The results of the present study showed that the most negatively affected environmental components are the physical/chemical components derived from three activities; the construction of the underground tunnel; the construction of a coal transport rail line; and the actual transportation of coal extracts. The scores of each environmental factor based on the four components at the Goliran coal mine in northern Iran indicate that the highest negative score was -64, corresponding to the physical/chemical component, and was assigned to air pollution. On the other hand, the highest positive score corresponds to the economic/operational component with +54, assigned to the income that employees earn from the mine. Overall results showed that the coal mine in northern Iran had negative effects on the environment but the effects were not severe. It is suggested that for future research, corrective measures should be taken in the form of an environmental management plan to reduce the negative effects caused by coal mining, and then prospective research should be done to check the extent of reducing the negative effects.

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment for Landfill Site Selection Using GIS-Based SWARA and Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix

Landfill site selection is a complex decision-making process which requires the evaluation of various environmental, social, and economic criteria. The present research aims to propose a GIS-based Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) method for landfill site selection in the east of Lorestan province, Iran. The study used 11 criteria including land use, distance from protected areas, slope, elevation, distance from the water resource, distance from the road, geology, distance from the fault, soil texture, distance from the city, and distance from the village. The results show that the proposed method can be used as a reliable tool for landfill site selection. The method provides decision-makers with a systematic approach to evaluate and rank potential sites based on their suitability. The study found that distance from water resources and soil texture were the most important criteria for landfill site selection in the study area. The proposed method can help decision-makers to identify suitable sites for landfill development considering potential environmental impacts. The study highlights the importance of using the GIS-based SWARA technique for landfill site selection, as it provides a comprehensive and efficient approach to decision-making. The proposed GIS-based SWARA method can be used as a valuable tool for landfill site selection in other regions and can help in achieving sustainable development goals.

Environmental Impact Assessment for Industrial Organizations Using Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix

Environmental Impact Assessment for Industrial Organizations Using Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix

Towards a Unified Framework for Project Success Score Computation in Construction Projects

The discussion of project success has expanded beyond project management and success criteria. The main cause of the failure to evaluate project performance in construction projects is the absence of a shared definition and a common set of criteria for project success. The aim of this paper is to develop a framework which includes certain success criteria to assess construction projects and allows for the calculation of a Project Success Score (PSS). The Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) approach is adopted and modified appropriately, providing a framework that combines primary and secondary success criteria to compute a comprehensive Project Success Score (PSS). Seventeen (17) success criteria are included in the framework, and their corresponding thresholds are formulated to determine the limits of failure of a project. The final PSS consists of five distinct classes, which range from the level of absolute success (PSS in the range of 9361 to 13,500) to the level of absolute failure (13 to 384). Finally, a web application that simulates the PSS framework is developed. The web application was tested by an end-user, in order to assess its applicability and ease of use, and the facilitation of the whole computation process of PSS was ensured. This paper provides a rational framework through which construction projects can be rapidly assessed, with the aim of highlighting the potential unsuccessful criteria in each project and increasing the probability of more effective project outcomes.

A Hybrid Model for Assessing the Effects of Industrial Complexes on the Environment Using a Fuzzy Expert System

Background: Identifying the effects of industrial complexes on the environmental components is essential in the industrial activities’ development planning. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the environmental impact of Khorramabad industrial parks using hybrid modeling. Methods: In the study, a fuzzy expert system was used to evaluate the environmental impact of industrial parks. In the proposed model, a fuzzy inference system (FIS) was designed based on the Mamdani method and rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) model. Results: The most negative effects are observed in the –E (major negative impacts) and –C (moderately negative impacts) ranges. About 24% of the negative effects of activities of industrial park 1 are in the –E range. In industrial park 3, the most negative effects are observed in the –C range (27%). Conclusions: Industrial parks cause negative impacts on different parts of the environment. These consequences are a major issue for environmental planners and managers. The proposed approach could increase the accuracy and flexibility of effects in decision-making.

Assessment of Sargassum sp., Spirulina sp., and Gracilaria sp. as Poultry Feed Supplements: Feasibility and Environmental Implications

Eutrophication, coupled with ocean acidification and warming, results in an increased concentration of marine algae, severely impacting some regions. Several algae are a rich source of protein and minerals. Marine algae are rich in bioactive molecules with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial properties. These properties make them attractive for usage in the pharmaceutical industry. This study evaluated Sargassum sp., Spirulina sp., and Gracilaria sp. for use as poultry feed. Chemical analyses show that crude protein (CP) in analyzed algae was 9.07–63.63%, with a fiber content of 0.15–17.20%, and a crude fat range of 0.152–2.11%, suggesting that algae can partially substitute imported protein sources used for poultry feed. A rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) was used to assess the environmental footprint of algae usage in poultry feed. The environmental assessment results show promising opportunities to help harvest the algae from the marine area. However, the feasibility of establishing outdoor algal ponds is not environmentally viable in the Middle East.

Urban watershed management prioritization using the rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM-UWMAP), GIS and field survey

Urban growth when badly planned and poorly sustainable linked with climate change, brings negative impacts to the cities. In the environment, erosion, landslide, floods, water pollution, illegal solid waste disposal, damaged drainage structures with disconnected parts, clandestine sewage or effluent discharge, among others, can be cited as impacts of urbanization. In this context, watersheds can be used as a foundation for urban development with certain scales of prioritization. In literature, the discussion for watershed prioritization was mostly found based only on computational methods and models, and does not include the important influence of field investigation and analysis of the headwaters. This is an option for urban areas, since most urban rivers are considered as headwaters (order 1). Also, erosion and poorly managed drainage systems can be obstructed by vegetation and may not be seen from satellite images. The aim of this work was to integrate on a GIS environment a Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment Matrix analysis with data based on basin morphology and field investigation of vegetation, erosion, drainage infrastructure, and presence of solid waste and wastewater in the urban headwaters of a medium size city in Brazil to create an urban watershed management prioritization order. A field survey was carried in 27 urban headwaters and digital analysis of the physical characteristics of the watersheds was using the QSWAT+ tool with SRTM data, land cover and use by MapBiomas and pedology by ITCG. Results showed that higher levels of prioritization (lowest value of the environmental score – es) were most related to poorly managed vegetation, drainage structure problems and urbanization, for example headwaters 2b (es = −390), 3b (es = −330), 4a (es = −354), 5b (es = −346) and 5c (es = −322). On the other hand, when the surroundings were primarily rural activities, the environmental score were positive. With the RIAM map, municipal decision makers may allocate financial resources to points of urgency and thus avoiding the waste of time and money in locations where management was not necessarily as urgent. Also, the RIAM is an excellent diagnostic tool for urban watershed management.

Rapid impact assessment matrix for municipal material disposal for Agartala City- a case study

The non-planned development of cities has created numerous problems especially with respect to waste material management system. Many aspects of environmental impact of waste material disposal methods are not addressed properly in normal planning system. Thus Environmental Impact Assessment with respect to different waste management techniques is indispensible. Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix is an effective tool of Environmental Impact Assessment which can provide transparent results in a limited time frame and can reduce the impact related uncertaininty that arise due to subjective nature of impact assessment. In the present study to evaluate the impact of solid waste material disposal techniques for Agartala city shows that Sanitary Landfill with 16 no of positive impacts among 27 no selected criteria followed by Composting with 14 no positive impacts are the most appropriate alternatives of waste disposal from environmental point of view. Such a study is a novel one with respect to the city of Agartala which will definitely contribute towards attaining the sustainable town planning & smart city goal of Agartala.

Insight into an Integrated Evaluation of Unmitigated Disposal Options for the Largest Waste Disposal Site in Tehran Using Rapid Impact and Sustainability Assessment Method

This study integrated the rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) analysis and the mathematical sustainability modeling to evaluate disposal options so as to find the most appropriate and practical unmitigated option for the main waste disposal site in Tehran, Iran. RIAM analysis was used to assess environmental impacts of five potential disposal options followed by determination of sustainability for each option. RIAM analysis results indicated that option 5 (i.e., composting) had the least negative cumulative impacts on the environmental score value of -481 among the studied options. Incineration of wastes, option 4, was found to be the least favorable option mainly due to the high relevant costs and emission of air pollutants. Option 3, sanitary landfilling, was found to have fewer negative impacts compared to the options 1 (open dumping), 2 (land burial), and 4. It was also found that none of the examined options were sustainable in unmitigated state; however, results indicated that option 5 was the most favorable one in terms of sustainability with an obtained sustainable value of -0.126, which was the lowest value of unsustainability found in the present study. Calculated values of environment for the evaluated options in unmitigated state were not sufficient enough to compensate for the corresponding values of human needs and interests. Finally, option 5 followed by option 3 were suggested as alternative disposal approaches for the current methods in unmitigated state to reduce negative environmental impacts of waste disposal.

Comparison of two methods of neutralization and wet air oxidation for treating wastewater spent caustic produced by oil refineries.

Today, problems of treating wastewater spent caustic produced by refinery units with high toxic compounds and chemical oxygen demand (COD) become concerns of many managers of these industries and environmental experts. Hence, emission without application of treatment methods will have adverse environmental impacts. In this study, two direct acid neutralization (DAN) and wet air oxidation (WAO) processes were selected to treatment the wastewater of the Bandar Abbas oil refinery in southern Iran. The aim was to reduce COD and harmful substances, compare the two methods, optimize processes, and evaluate their performance. Experimental experiments were performed in a reactor system with different input variables related to two different methods. Parameter optimization was performed based on Box-Behnken (BBD) method and Design Expert software. The analysis of the results based on statistical methods and response procedure diagrams was used to evaluate the status of COD changes to the parameters. The best operating conditions of temperature, pressure, residence time, and stoichiometric coefficient of air were 148.269°C, 15.716bar, 3.563h, and 8.415l/h respectively in WAO with 68% reduction in COD, and for DAN process, temperature, pH, and agitation speed were 30.082°C, 2.008, and 203.672rpm, respectively, with 43% reduction in COD. Results of rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) showed that WAO process with a higher score is a more environmentally friendly method and DAN process has been considered by experts due to its popularity, ease of testing, less equipment requirements, and lower cost.

Environmental impact assessment of a steel industry development plan using combined method involving Leopold matrix and RIAM.

The present study was conducted to determine positive and negative impacts of Sepid-Farab Kavir steel (SKS) complex development plan and to propose suitable managerial strategies by a combined method involving Leopold matrix and Rapid Impact Assessment matrix (RIAM). The SKS complex is located in Aran-Bidgol city, Isfahan, Iran. Two scenarios of project implementation and project cancellation were formulated for SKS complex development plan, which has two sub-phases: construction and operation Using Leopold and RIAM matrices, the direct and indirect impacts of the project on the study area was investigated. The impact analysis for project cancellation scenario showed that the obtained scores of construction and operation phases were -119 and -52, respectively. Also, for project implementation scenario, the obtained scores of construction and operation phases were + 302 and + 382, respectively. The number of positive impacts in the implementation and cancellation scenarios were 354 and 48, respectively, and the number of negative impacts in implementation and cancellation scenarios were 270 and 127, respectively. Also, comparison of positive and negative impacts frequency in the two scenarios, and in the two sub-phases, in RIAM indicated the project implementation will have positive impacts in social-cultural and economic-operational aspects compared to option of prevention, especially in operation phase. The results of environmental impact assessment of the mentioned project indicated the superiority of positive impacts over the negative ones.

Integration of rapid impact assessment matrix method and sustainability modeling for management of municipal solid waste transfer stations in cold regions

Integration of rapid impact assessment matrix method and sustainability modeling for management of municipal solid waste transfer stations in cold regions

Techno-commercial Assessment of Concurrent Municipal Brown Field Reclamation Procedures: A Pivotal Case study of Jawahar Nagar Dump Site

Techno-commercial Assessment of Concurrent Municipal Brown Field Reclamation Procedures: A Pivotal Case study of Jawahar Nagar Dump Site

Urban carrying capacity assessment framework for mega mall development. A case study of Tehran’s 22 municipal districts

This paper presents the research results on the evaluation of Tehran’s 22 municipal districts’ carrying capacity concerning mega malls. Here, we developed an Urban Carrying Capacity Assessment Framework (UCCAF). Using a combination of objective and subjective methods, we determined the final weights of economic, social, environmental, and transportation criteria and their 25 subsequent indices. For the objective weights, we used the “Ekbatan Mega Mall” as a case study and entered the data from field observation, interviews, and questionnaires into the Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM). Next, we distributed the criteria and indices to the experts to collect their views and priorities. To obtain subjective weights from these priorities, we used a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method, i.e., Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA). Next, we applied Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) to combine the final weights of indices with the UCCAF results. Here, the districts’ ultimate rankings concerning their carrying capacity for mega malls were obtained. Finally, using the cluster analysis method, districts were classified into six clusters of optimum (district 22), good (district 5), acceptable (districts 21, 4, and 2), poor (districts 19 and 20), very poor (the rest of districts except district 12), and critical (district 12) in terms of carrying capacity. The results reveal that 21 out of 36 recently-built mega malls of Tehran are located in districts with very poor carrying capacity. The proposed framework provides urban planners with a dynamic carrying-capacity-based decision support system.

Environmental monitoring and impact assessment of Prut River cross-border pollution.

The cross-border rivers management is a challenge for the involved countries, especially if they do not have the same type of legislation. The negative effects on water quality are quantified by using environmental impact assessment tools. Thus, the quantification of impacts that could affect the human health, ecosystem equilibrium, and biodiversity is based on monitoring of the water quality indicators. An increased attention should be paid to the toxic pollutants resulted from various activities that may affect the aquatic environment and human health on short and long term. This study approaches the cross-border impact assessment of heavy metals, organic, and nutrient pollution in the case of two countries (Romania and Republic of Moldova), the Prut River being the natural border. The methodology considered a specific area of the Prut River on both river sides, based on specific water quality indicators. The studied area covers sampling points from North to South within Iasi County and Republic of Moldova, in the Prut River cross-border section. To assess the pollutants' impacts, the improved Leopold Matrix and the Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix were adapted and applied. The results offered an overview on water pollution level and impacts on the Prut River cross-border area, for the 5-year period (2015-2019). There is a major negative impact generated in the Southern part of the studied area, in the case of the following indicators: copper, selenium, organic substances, with an increased level of pollution recorded in the last 2years (2018, 2019). The conclusion of this research is that even if both countries follow the international protocols concerning cross-border pollution, they still have to comply to different environmental standards which approach differently the pollution levels and the significant impacts on water quality.

The damage of water environment and the distribution change of biological community in Sanmenxia, Henan Province, under tourism development

In order to improve the deviation of the traditional grey comprehensive correlation analysis method, fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, and data envelopment analysis method, an evaluation model based on rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) model was designed to evaluate the impact of tourism development on water environment destruction and the distribution of biological communities in Sanmenxia, Henan Province. Taking Sanmenxia City in Henan Province as an example, the analysis direction was determined by questionnaire survey, and the indexes were selected, quantified, and processed. The weights of indexes were calculated by analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and the comprehensive score was conducted according to the RIAM model. The experimental results show that the design model can effectively reduce the deviation of traditional method analysis, and is more in line with the actual situation of Sanmenxia ecological water environment in Henan Province.