A systematic review of application of multi-criteria decision analysis for aging-dam management

[EN] Decisions for aging-dam management requires a transparent process to prevent the dam failure, thus to avoid severe consequences in socio-economic and environmental terms. Multiple criteria analysis arose to model complex problems like this. This paper reviews specific problems, applications and Multi-Criteria Decision Making techniques for dam management. Multi-Attribute Decision Making techniques had a major presence under the single approach, specially the Analytic Hierarchy Process, and its combination with Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution was prominent under the hybrid approach; while a high variety of complementary techniques was identified. A growing hybridization and fuzzification are the two most relevant trends observed. The integration of stakeholders within the decision making process and the inclusion of trade-offs and interactions between components within the evaluation model must receive a deeper exploration. Despite the progressive consolidation of Multi-Criteria Decision Making in dam management, further research is required to differentiate between rational and intuitive decision processes. Additionally, the need to address benefits, opportunities, costs and risks related to repair, upgrading or removal measures in aging dams suggests the Analytic Network Process, not yet explored under this approach, as an interesting path worth investigating.This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness along with FEDER funding (Projects BIA201456574-R and ECO2015-66673-R).Zamarrón-Mieza, I.; Yepes, V.; Moreno-Jiménez, JM. (2017). A systematic review of application of multi-criteria decision analysis for aging-dam management. Journal of Cleaner Production. 147:217-230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.01.092S21723014

Combining a Fuzzy Matter-Element Model with a Geographic Information System in Eco-Environmental Sensitivity and Distribution of Land Use Planning

Sustainable ecological and environmental development is the basis of regional development. The sensitivity classification of the ecological environment is the premise of its spatial distribution for land use planning. In this paper, a fuzzy matter-element model and factor-overlay method were employed to analyze the ecological sensitivity in Yicheng City. Four ecological indicators, including soil condition,, water condition,, atmospheric conditions and biodiversity were used to classify the ecological sensitivity. The results were categorized into five ranks: insensitive, slightly sensitive, moderately sensitive, highly sensitive and extremely sensitive zones. The spatial distribution map of environmental sensitivity for land use planning was obtained using GIS (Geographical Information System) techniques. The results illustrated that the extremely sensitive and highly sensitive areas accounted for 14.40% and 30.12% of the total area, respectively, while the moderately sensitive and slightly sensitive areas are 25.99% and 29.49%, respectively. The results provide the theoretical foundation for land use planning by categorizing all kinds of land types in Yicheng City

Risk Assessment Based on Combined Weighting-Cloud Model of Tunnel Construction

In order to reduce the tunnel construction accidents and ensure the safety of personnel, a comprehensive assessment method of tunnel construction risk based on combination weighting and cloud model is constructed according to the characteristics of tunnel construction. The risk assessment index system is established based on researches on engineering geological condition, natural environmental condition, Tunnel engineering design scheme and construction management. On this basis, the tunnel risk is divided into 4 levels and the index risk level standard is proposed. In order to improve the rationality of weighting, a weight calculation method based on AHP, entropy method and Lagrange multiplier method is constructed. Finally, the normal cloud generator is used to form comparison pictures of risk clouds and standard clouds, which demonstrates the risk status of the evaluation indexes at all levels. With reference to Deda Tunnel of Sichuan-Tibet Railway engineering of high integrated risk level, management decision-making is required. The evaluation results are basically consistent with engineering practices, proving that the method has good feasibility and applicability

River Ecological Restoration and Groundwater Artificial Recharge

Three of the eleven papers focused on groundwater recharge and its impacts on the groundwater regime, in which recharge was caused by riverbed leakage from river ecological restoration (artificial water replenishment). The issues of the hydrogeological parameters involved (such as the influence radius) were also reconsidered. Six papers focused on the impact of river ecological replenishment and other human activities on river and watershed ecology, and on groundwater quality and use function. The issues of ecological security at the watershed scale and deterioration of groundwater quality were of particular concern. Two papers focused on water resources carrying capacity and water resources reallocation at the regional scale, in the context of the fact that ecological water demand has been a significant topic of concern. The use of unconventional water resources such as brackish water has been emphasized in the research in this issue

Methodological proposal for social impact assessment and environmental conflict analysis

Tesis por compendio[EN] Social impact assessment (SIA) is a part of environmental impact assessment (EIA), which is characterized by a high level of uncertainty and the subjective aspects that are presents in the methods used during its conduction. In addition, environmental conflict analysis (ECA) has become a key factor for the viability of projects and welfare of affected populations. In this thesis, an integrated method for SIA and ECA is proposed, by the combination of the grey clustering method and the entropy-weight method. SIA was performed using the grey clustering method, which enables qualitative information coming from a stakeholder group to be quantified. In turn, ECA was performed using the entropy-weight method, which identifies the criteria in which there is greater divergence between stakeholder groups, thus enabling to establish measures to prevent potential environmental conflicts. Then, in order to apply and test the proposed integrated method, two case studies were conducted. The first case study was a mining project in northern Peru. In this study, three stakeholder groups and seven criteria were identified. The results revealed that for the urban population group and the rural population group, the project would have a positive and negative social impact, respectively. For the group of specialists the project would have a normal social impact. It was also noted that the criteria most likely to generate environmental conflicts in order of importance were: access to drinking water, poverty, GDP per capita, and employment. The second case study considered was a hydrocarbon exploration project located in the Gulf of Valencia, Spain. In this study, four stakeholder groups and four criteria were identified. The results revealed that for the group of specialists the project would have a negative social impact, and contrary perceptions were shown between the group of those directly affected by the project and the group of citizens in favour. It was also noted that the criteria most likely to generate environmental conflict were the percentage of unemployment and GDP per capita. The proposed integrated method in this thesis showed great potential on the studied cases, and could be applied to other contexts and other projects, such as water resources management, industrial projects, construction projects, and to measure social impact and prevent conflicts during the implementation of government policies and programs.[ES] La evaluación del impacto social (SIA) forma parte de la evaluación de impacto ambiental (EIA), y está caracterizada por su alto nivel de incertidumbre, y por los aspectos subjetivos presentes en los métodos usados para su realización. Por otro lado, el análisis del conflicto ambiental (ECA) se ha convertido en un factor clave para la viabilidad de los proyectos y el bienestar de la población afectada. En esta tesis, se propone un método integrado para la SIA y el ECA, mediante la combinación de los métodos grey clustering y entropy-weight. La SIA fue desarrollada usando el método grey clustering, el cual permite cuantificar la información cualitativa recogida de los grupos de interés o stakeholders. Sucesivamente, el ECA fue realizado usando el método entropy-weight, el cual identifica los criterios en los cuales existe gran divergencia entre los grupos de interés, permitiendo así establecer medidas para prevenir potenciales conflictos ambientales. Luego, con el fin de aplicar y testear el método integrado propuesto fueron realizados dos casos de estudio. El primer caso de estudio fue un proyecto minero ubicado en el norte de Perú. En este estudio se identificaron tres grupos de interés y siete criterios. Los resultados revelaron que para el grupo población urbana y el grupo población rural, el proyecto tendría un impacto social positivo y negativo, respectivamente. Para el grupo de los especialistas el proyecto tendría un impacto social normal. También fue notado que los criterios más probables de generar conflicto ambiental en orden de importancia fueron: acceso al agua potable, pobreza, PIB per cápita, y empleo. El segundo caso de estudio considerado fue un proyecto de exploración de hidrocarburos ubicado en el Golfo de Valencia, España. En este estudio se identificaron cuatro grupos de interés y cuatro criterios. Los resultados revelaron que para el grupo de los especialistas el proyecto tendría un impacto social negativo, y contrarias percepciones se encontraron entre el grupo de los directamente afectados y el grupo de los ciudadanos a favor. También fue notado que los criterios más probables de generar conflicto ambiental fueron el porcentaje de desempleo y el PIB per cápita. El método integrado propuesto en esta tesis mostró un gran potencial sobre los casos estudiados, y podría ser aplicado a otros contextos y otros tipos de proyectos, tales como gestión de recursos hídricos, proyectos industriales, proyectos de construcción de obras públicas, y para medir el impacto social y prevenir conflictos durante la aplicación de políticas y programas gubernamentales.[CA] L'avaluació de l'impacte social (SIA) és una part de l'avaluació de l'impacte ambiental (EIA), la qual està caracteritzada pel seu alt nivell d'incertitud i els aspectes subjectius presents en els mètodes amprats durant la seua conducció. A més, la anàlisis del conflicte ambiental (ECA) s'ha convertit en un factor clau per a la viabilitat dels projectes i el benestar de la població afectada. En esta tesis es proposa un mètode integrat per a l'avaluació de l'impacte social i la anàlisis del conflicte ambiental, mitjançant la combinació del mètode grey clustering i el mètode entropy-weight. L'avaluació de l'impacte social ha segut realitzada usant el mètode grey clustering, el qual permet que la informació qualitativa arreplegada dels grups d'interès siga quantificada. Successivament, la anàlisis del conflicte ambiental ha segut realitzada usant el mètode entropy-weight, el qual identifica els criteris en els quals existeix gran divergència entre els grups d'interès, la qual cosa permet establir mides per a prevenir conflictes ambientals potencials. Després, amb la finalitat d'aplicar i testejar el mètode integrat proposat han segut realitzats dos casos d'estudi. El primer d'ells ha segut un projecte miner al nord de Perú. En aquest estudi, tres grups d'interès i set criteris foren identificats. Els resultats revelaren que per al grup població-urbana i el grup població-rural, el projecte experimentaria un positiu i un negatiu impacte social respectivament. Per al grup dels especialistes el projecte tindria un impacte social normal. Per altra banda també va ser reconegut que els criteris més probables de generar conflicte ambiental en orde d'importància foren: accés a l'aigua potable, pobresa, PIB per càpita, i ofici. El segon cas d'estudi considerat va ser un projecte d'exploració d'hidrocarburs ubicat al Golf de València, Espanya. En este estudi, quatre grups d'interès i quatre criteris foren identificats. Els resultats revelaren que per al grup dels especialistes el projecte tindria un impacte social negatiu, mentre que entre el grup dels directament afectats i el grup dels ciutadans a favor es mostraren percepcions contraries. Va ser també reconegut que els criteris més probables de generar conflicte ambiental foren el percentatge de desocupació i el PIB per càpita. El mètode integrat proposat en aquesta tesis mostra un gran potencial sobre els casos estudiats, i pot ser aplicat a altres contexts i altres tipus de projectes com gestió de recursos hídrics, projectes industrials i projectes de construcció d'obres públiques. A més pot fer-se servir per mesurar l'impacte social i prevenir conflictes durant l'aplicació de polítiques i programes governamentals.Delgado Villanueva, KA. (2016). Methodological proposal for social impact assessment and environmental conflict analysis [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/64063TESISCompendi

Determine of Surface Water Quality Index in Iran

In modeling complex of environmental problems, researchers often fail to define precise statements about input and outcomes of contaminants, but fuzzy logic could help to dominate this logical indecision. The goal of this work is to propose a new river water quality indicator using fuzzy logic. The proposed index combines six indicators, and not only does it exhibit a tool that accounts for the discrepancy between the two base indices, but also provides a quantifiable score for the determined water quality. These classifications with a membership grade can be of a sound support for decision-making, and can help assign each section of a river a gradual quality sub-objective to be reached. To show the applicability of the proposed approach, the new indicator was used to classify water quality in a number of stations along the basins of Qarah-chai and Siminehrood. The obtained classifications were then compared to the conventional physicochemical water quality indicator currently in use in Iran. The results revealed that the fuzzy indicator provided stringent classifications compared to the conventional index in 38% and 44% of the cases for the two basins respectively. These noted exceptions are mainly due to the big disagreement between the different quality thresholds in the two standards, especially for fecal coliform and total phosphorus. These large disparities put forward an argument for the Iranian water quality law to be upgraded. Keywords: Fuzzy logic; Qarah-chai basin; Siminehrood; Water quality inde

Environmental conflict analysis using an integrated grey clustering and entropy-weight method: A case study of a mining project in Peru

[EN] Environmental conflict analysis (henceforth ECA) has become a key factor for the viability of projects and welfare of affected populations. In this study, we propose an approach for ECA using an integrated grey clustering and entropy-weight method (The IGCEW method). The case study considered a mining project in northern Peru. Three stakeholder groups and seven criteria were identified. The data were gathered by conducting field interviews. The results revealed that for the groups urban population, rural population and specialists, the project would have a positive, negative and normal social impact, respectively. We also noted that the criteria most likely to generate environmental conflicts in order of importance were: access to drinking water, poverty, GDP per capita and employment. These results could help regional and central governments to seek appropriate measures to prevent environmental conflicts. The proposed method showed practical results and a potential for application to other types of projects.Delgado-Villanueva, KA.; Romero Gil, I. (2016). Environmental conflict analysis using an integrated grey clustering and entropy-weight method: A case study of a mining project in Peru. Environmental Modelling & Software. 77:108-121. doi:10.1016/j.envsoft.2015.12.011S1081217

A comprehensive review on the design and optimization of surface water quality monitoring networks

This is the final version. Available from Elsevier via the DOI in this record. The surface water quality monitoring network (WQMN) is crucial for effective water environment management. How to design an optimal monitoring network is an important scientific and engineering problem that presents a special challenge in the smart city era. This comprehensive review provides a timely and systematic overview and analysis on quantitative design approaches. Bibliometric analysis shows the chronological pattern, journal distribution, authorship, citation and country pattern. Administration types of water bodies and design methods are classified. The flexibility characteristics of four types of direct design methods and optimization objectives are systematically summarized, and conclusions are drawn from experiences with WQMN parameters, station locations, and sampling frequency and water quality indicators. This paper concludes by identifying four main future directions that should be pursued by the research community. This review sheds light on how to better design and construct WQMNs.Key-Area Research and Development Program of Guangdong ProvinceNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaInnovation Project of Universities in Guangdong Province-Natural Scienc

VIKOR Technique:A Systematic Review of the State of the Art Literature on Methodologies and Applications

The main objective of this paper is to present a systematic review of the VlseKriterijuska Optimizacija I Komoromisno Resenje (VIKOR) method in several application areas such as sustainability and renewable energy. This study reviewed a total of 176 papers, published in 2004 to 2015, from 83 high-ranking journals; most of which were related to Operational Research, Management Sciences, decision making, sustainability and renewable energy and were extracted from the “Web of Science and Scopus” databases. Papers were classified into 15 main application areas. Furthermore, papers were categorized based on the nationalities of authors, dates of publications, techniques and methods, type of studies, the names of the journals and studies purposes. The results of this study indicated that more papers on VIKOR technique were published in 2013 than in any other year. In addition, 13 papers were published about sustainability and renewable energy fields. Furthermore, VIKOR and fuzzy VIKOR methods, had the first rank in use. Additionally, the Journal of Expert Systems with Applications was the most significant journal in this study, with 27 publications on the topic. Finally, Taiwan had the first rank from 22 nationalities which used VIKOR technique