Ivy S. G. Akuoko NRS Concepts of GIS and Remote Sensing in Environmental Science December 14, 2017 Overview & Annotated Bibliography

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1 Ivy S. G. Akuoko NRS Concepts of GIS and Remote Sensing in Environmental Science December 14, 2017 Overview & Annotated Bibliography MANAGING SOLID WASTE WITH THE SUPPORT OF GIS AND REMOTE SENSING Waste is inevitable in the lives of humans as almost every activity of ours generate waste, and we become waste at the end of our lives. Making waste a part of the natural system, hence the earth has its own means of dealing with waste. However, as time goes on and populations increase, the corresponding increase in waste generated exceeds the natural system s capacity to take care of it. Modernization and technological advancements have led to the production of wastes (hazardous and toxic) that cannot be taken care of by the natural environment. Solid Waste Management is defined as the discipline associated with control of generation, storage, collection, transport or transfer, processing and disposal of solid waste materials in a way that best addresses the range of public health, conservation, economics, aesthetic, engineering and other environmental considerations (LeBlanc, 2016). In order to achieve the goal of managing public health, conservation, economics, aesthetics, engineering and other environmental considerations, spatial information is needed. Analyzing this information will help to generated relationships among features, distance s and how they affect each other. In order to do this, GIS and Remote Sensing are the best tools to use since they Remote Sensing will be used to get the spatial information needed and then GIS will provide the platform for analysis and decision making. GIS has served as a decision-making tool in waste management from its early onset. Notably, its use has been very essential in waste collection and transport as well as siting of landfills (Chalkias & Lasaridi, 2011). Remote sensing on the other hand has been mostly used for landfill gas monitoring. Data used include high-resolution digital photogrammetry to develop topographic maps and multispectral image data to map chemical compositional differences on and around landfills (Vincent, 1994). Though GIS and Remote Sensing can be used independently, they complement each other at times. GIS has been used to reduce the cost involved in waste collection and transportation (Chalkias & Lasaridi, 2011). The tools employed included Network analysis, for vehicle route optimization and spatial analysis for dustbin reallocation. A similar work done by (G. Tavares, Zsigraiova, Semiao, & Carvalho, 2009) used GIS 3D route modelling software to optimize driving routes and minimize fuel consumption in waste collection and transportation. Aside the use of network analysis, Terrain modelling was used in this study to determine elevation in the study area, since slope of road networks affects fuel consumption. In both studies, GIS was used to build spatial database that stored data on the study area. In siting landfills, GIS has either been used alone or in combination with other technologies to make decisions. It can be used for site evaluation based on well-defined guidelines such as geology, depth to water level, permeability, slope, overburden material, zoning and land use. With these information available, models such as Boolean logic, Index-overlay and Fuzzy logic are the most commonly used for site evaluation for landfills (Lukasheh, Droste & Warith, 2001). This study also discussed how GIS can be combined with Expert Systems to form Expert Geographic Information System that combines the advantages of both in landfill siting. Sumathi (2008) in a study combined GIS technology and Multiple criteria decision-making methods (MCDM), as a GIS-based MCDA

2 integrates and transforms spatial and aspatial data into decision making. In creating the dataset for this study, most thematic maps were prepared based on already existing maps by digitization using Arc GIS Desktop, which was also used for the analysis of the thematic maps. Buffer in ArcGIS was used to determine the permissible distance beyond which the landfill can be sited and suitable sites identified by overlaying the buffer maps and thematic maps on the base map to establish the regions of constraint. To eliminate unsuitable sites, multi-criteria analysis using Spatial Modeler of ArcGIS was performed. In collecting data on land cover/land use to help in siting landfills, Remote sensing is employed, where aerial photographs obtained are interpreted stereoscopically for land cover/land use information (Jensen & Christensen, 1986). Since elevation of land relative to sea level is also relevant in siting landfills, Jensen & Christensen (1986) used terrain modelling in mapping the elevation of the study area. After land use information was obtained and analysis such as map dissolve, overlay for map composite and overlay for area calculation were done, Boolean map overlay logic was done to establish potential development areas. Not only has GIS been used to select suitable sites for municipal solid waste management infrastructures such as landfills, it has been employed to assist in selecting best sites for waste incineration plants (referred hereafter as MSWIP) as well. The impact of MSWIP on the environment depends on local atmospheric conditions and terrain morphology which can be determined by the use of GIS (Gilberto Tavares, Zsigraiová, & Semiao, 2011), since they influence long-term emissions and dispersion. Their study used analytic hierarchy method (a multi-criteria decision method) with GIS in siting MSWIP, which was to be combined with the production of portable water. In using GIS to develop the model to perform the multi-criteria analysis, attribute map layers, base-maps and spatial information on road network and electrical grid, population, vegetation and land-use were the data used. ArcGIS software was used to assign suitability grades to certain attribute maps. All these was to help ensure that the plant was not sited close to residential areas, in wetlands, avoid certain vegetation cover as well as sharp slopes and highly elevated areas. After waste has been collected and landfilled, a time comes when these landfills reach their capacity and has to be covered. However, this does not mark the end of any relationship between man and waste. Humans are still at risk from the gas that is generated from the waste, making it a necessity to monitor the generation, movement and impacts of the gas. GIS and remote sensing have been used in several studies to accomplish this task. (Jones & Egly, 1994) used aerial photography, aerial video and airborne multispectral data which were geometrically corrected and processed to develop a relationship between landfill gas, vegetation health and soil conditions. Remote sensing data was used to produce crop condition maps based on the site s spectral response and was used together with other information to indicate areas of high landfill gas concentration, delineate the extent of crop damage and to relate crop health to the spatial variation in soil type and landfill gas concentration. Standard GIS techniques were used to combine soil map and crop condition maps to get some of these results. In certain instances, (John R Jensen, Hodgson, Garcia-quijano, Im, & Tullis, 2009), remote sensing and GIS have been used as a decision support system for hazardous waste site monitoring and evacuation of population at risk. Data obtained, similar to the one above, is used to detect anomalies on the surface of the hazardous sites and this is done by using tools such as neighborhood correlation image analysis, object correlation image analysis and subsidence detection and change detection using an automated calibration model. Also, photogrammetric and lidargrammetric techniques are used to create a time series of Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) derived from historical largescale stereoscopic aerial

3 photography or from airborne lidar data acquired on a regular basis. All DTMs in the database are referenced to a common map projection and a horizontal/vertical datum and is compared to identify if subsidence has taken place. Further remotely sensed data and GIS analysis (buffering) are used to determine at risk population, plan evacuation and continuously collect data and analyze until the problem is deemed to be resolved. In estimating waste production, evaluate the demand for landfill and recycling potentials, GIS has been useful. The generation of construction and demolition waste is on the increase due to the reconstruction of many buildings in urban areas. This waste has high amounts of recyclable materials but barriers such as lack of information about waste generation source is making recycling difficult (Wu et al., 2016). In their study, GIS was used to analyze data concerning the location and technological characteristics of sources of demolition waste. This helped in the creation of a map of the spatial distribution of demolition waste to help in management within a specific area. Data used included the generation and disposal of demolition waste which includes waste generation projection, recycling potential evaluation and landfill demands assessment. The GIS model used in this study consisted of five components: building basic information datasets; calculation of weight of demolition waste of single building; setting of demolition time of building; recycling potential of demolition waste and projection of landfill demands. At the end of the study, GIS was seen as a suitable tool for the management of demolition waste. In conclusion, GIS and Remote Sensing have been helpful in reducing the cost of waste collection and transport, helped in proper siting of disposal infrastructures such as landfills and incineration plants, the monitoring of landfill gas and estimating waste generation. Were these technologies have been mostly used is in waste collection and transport as well as landfill siting and monitoring. In estimating the amount of waste generated, determining recycling potentials and evaluating the demand for landfill is a field with less research focus per the research I did. Tools mostly employed in GIS include network analysis, terrain modelling, Boolean and Buffer analysis and overlay analysis. Remote Sensing obtain data via multispectral images, lidar and aerial photos/videos. GIS and Remote Sensing have played an essential role in waste management but I think there is more room for improvement. More research need to go into the use of GIS to estimate amount of waste generated and their categories. This can help in knowing which areas generate the highest amount of waste generally as well as categorically in order to inform decision making concerning where to have recycling and composting programs. References Chalkias, C., & Lasaridi, K. (2011). Benefits from GIS based modelling for municipal solid waste management. In Integrated Waste Management-Volume I. InTech. Droste, R. L. (2001). Review of Expert System ( ES ), Geographic Information System ( GIS ), Decision Support System ( DSS ), and their applications in landfill design and management, (Fedra 1996), Jensen, J.., & Christensen, E.. (1986). Solid and hazardous waste disposal site selection using digital geographic information system techniques. Science of The Total Environment, 56,

4 Jensen, J. R., Hodgson, M. E., Garcia-quijano, M., Im, J., & Tullis, J. a. (2009). A Remote Sensing and GISassisted Spatial Decision Support System for Hazardous Waste Site Monitoring. Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, 75(2), Jones, H. & Egly, J. (n.d.). Remote Sensing To Assess Landfill Gas Migration. Waste Mangement & Research. LeBlanc, R. (2016). An Introduction to Solid Waste Management. Sumathi, V. R. (2008). GIS-based approach for optimized siting of municipal solid waste landfill, 28(2), Tavares, G., Zsigraiová, Z., & Semiao, V. (2011). Multi-criteria GIS-based siting of an incineration plant for municipal solid waste. Waste Management, 31(9 10), Tavares, G., Zsigraiova, Z., Semiao, V., & Carvalho, M. G. (2009). Optimisation of MSW collection routes for minimum fuel consumption using 3D GIS modelling. Waste Management, 29(3), Vlncent, R. K. (1994). Remote Sensing fot Solid Waste Landfills and Hazardous Waste Sites. Wu, H., Wang, J., Duan, H., Ouyang, L., Huang, W., & Zuo, J. (2016). An innovative approach to managing demolition waste via GIS (geographic information system): A case study in Shenzhen city, China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 112,

5 Chalkias, C., & Lasaridi, K. (2011). Benefits from GIS based modelling for municipal solid waste management. In Integrated Waste Management-Volume I. InTech. In this paper, the authors discussed how GIS technology can be used to improve waste collection and transport systems in a municipality in Greece. Their data sources included analog maps, digital data from various official providers and field data with the use of GPS. They explained how they used GIS spatial analysis functions to replace small dustbins with larger ones and also reallocate them. Dustbin reallocation was done based on population density, type of buildings in the study area, quantity of waste generated and road network. Waste collection vehicle routing optimization was performed with ArcGIS Network Analyst modelling package. Factors considered included time, distance, fuel consumption and gas emissions. This study showed how GIS could be used to achieve efficient use of resources and minimize environmental impacts by comparing the outcome of the study with the already existing scenario. This is a very important and interesting research as it brings out the need to do things in a planned and organized manner. It shows that when you fail to invest in planning for a long-term benefit, you will might end up paying for it the rest of your life. Sumathi, V. R. (2008). GIS-based approach for optimized siting of municipal solid waste landfill, 28(2), The use of GIS and Multiple criteria decision-making methods (MCDM) to select suitable landfill site was explored in this study. The paper explained how both tools function separately and their importance when combined. It explained how spatial database was obtained and analyzed using GIS software. A brief overview of the thematic maps used were given, including their role in site selection. Not only was it focused on the use of dataset for site selection, rather it mentioned how the digital data bank created from site selection could be used in the long-term. These include provision of customer services and monitoring of landfills. Though GIS is the sure way to solve most waste management problems, this study reveals a setback. At times GIS analysis will provide you with several options to choose from which might be very complex to do by just having a look. This paper showed how MCDM can be used to make such a decision. Jensen, J.., & Christensen, E.. (1986). Solid and hazardous waste disposal site selection using digital geographic information system techniques. Science of The Total Environment, 56, This article looked at how GIS can be used in disposal site selection for solid and hazardous waste. It provided information on the kinds of data needed in order to perform GIS analysis for disposal site selection. Aside the usual environmental and cultural information needed for GIS analysis, also captured in this paper was the Industrial Location and Constraint Criteria for waste site. In discussing data collection, it touched on how remote sensing can be used to collect data on land cover. Also, it elaborated on the need and how to correct geometrically distorted data prior to digitization by transferring them onto a planimetric base map. Polygon-to-raster conversion program was used to transform polygonal data to a grid-based data structure on which analysis such as dissolve and Boolean logic were made. After these analysis, pixels that met the desired criteria were identified as potential disposal sites. This paper was interesting because it did not

6 only concentrate on the study but rather it gave a detailed general explanation of each technique or procedure before narrowing down to the study itself. It mentions how projecting in UTM in this study is an ideal coordinate system for measuring and comparing points, lines and areas. Jensen, J. R., Hodgson, M. E., Garcia-quijano, M., Im, J., & Tullis, J. a. (2009). A Remote Sensing and GIS-assisted Spatial Decision Support System for Hazardous Waste Site Monitoring. Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, 75(2), The use of Remote Sensing and GIS-assisted spatial decision support system for hazardous waste management is what this article is about. It describes how remote sensing is used to obtain spatial data, which is then processed using GIS techniques for information. This information helped to detect anomalies/change on the surface of the hazardous site. After a release was detected, populations at risk were determined using buffering. Gaussian dispersion model was also used to provide specific calculations about the direction and dispersion of the hazardous materials. This information was used to come up with evacuation plans. I see this paper to be interesting because of how information provided by GIS and remote sensing could be used by several people at the same time to coordinate and make decision. For instance, though the experts are the ones doing the modeling, evacuation are given to local police since that is their responsibility. Again, the detection of populations at risk on time saves a lot of money and troubles. I wonder how these could have been possible without GIS and Remote Sensing. Vlncent, R. K. (1994). Remote Sensing fot Solid Waste Landfills and Hazardous Waste Sites This article gives a general information about how remote sensing has been employed in solid waste landfills and hazardous waste sites. It starts by giving a general overview of what remote sensing is and how geologist have used it in times past in soil analysis. Then it focused on how remote sensing have been or can be employed in monitoring landfills. It talks about how detailed topographic mapping by high-resolution photogrammetric methods can be used to obtain elevation data sets and its application in four areas. This helps in predicting where contamination from solid waste and toxic landfills is most likely to occur. Using multispectral image data to map chemical composition was also discussed. Vincent also touches on how vegetation cover and soils can serve as the medium through which to detect the effects of landfill contaminants such as methane and leachates. I went for this paper because it presents on how remote sensing has been employed in waste site monitoring in a general sense. It was also more detailed on the kinds of data to use. Tavares, G., Zsigraiová, Z., & Semiao, V. (2011). Multi-criteria GIS-based siting of an incineration plant for municipal solid waste. Waste Management, 31(9 10),

7 GIS was combined with analytic hierarchy method (AHP) to select a site suitable for an incineration plant whose heat will be used to produce electricity for local consumption as well as used for seawater desalination to produce portable water in Santiago Island in Cape Verde. Evaluation criteria was in the AHP was developed after consultations with all stakeholders. GIS was used to first screen the island into zones based on performance under socio-economic, technical and environmental requirements. Further detailed analysis based on the above criteria was done on selected zones to rank the areas in terms of their environmental performances. GIS was used to assign suitability index based on eight criteria that was developed by the stakeholders. Some of the criteria used included distance from road network, distance from coastline, terrain slope, terrain elevation, distance from urban centers, land-use type, pollution dispersion impact and visual impact. Based on the suitability index given per criteria, the suitable area was selected by summing up these indices; the higher the number, the more suitable the site. This paper was interesting because, though the main aim was siting the incineration plant, it had other sub-goals of electricity generation and production of portable water. This can lead to a conflict of interest, for example, you would want to have the plant away from people but these same people will use the water and electricity. So, the further you move away from urban places, the higher your cost in getting the water and electricity to the people. Wu, H., Wang, J., Duan, H., Ouyang, L., Huang, W., & Zuo, J. (2016). An innovative approach to managing demolition waste via GIS (geographic information system): A case study in Shenzhen city, China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 112, The interest of this study was to use GIS to quantify construction and demolition waste, determine the potential for recycling and assess the demand for landfill. This was done in a district in China because that area was undergoing urban development and there were villages that needed to be rebuilt. Meanwhile, the only landfill in the district was seen not to be capable of meeting the needs for the waste that will be generated. This led to the need to better understand the volumes of demolition waste generated and its composition. The study used GIS to evaluate three scenarios for the treatment and disposal of demolition waste. I chose this paper due to its uniqueness. Thus, it is based more on equations and calculations other than the use of traditional tools such as network analysis, buffering and overlays. The kind of waste it focuses on is different and have not been given much attention, yet it is an important and growing aspect of the waste stream that needs equal attention like municipal solid waste.