Towards a methodology for identifying potential sites for cemeteries
- Authors: Judge, Richard David Eadie
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Cemeteries , Environmental impact analysis , Groundwater , Pollution
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10649 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008048 , Cemeteries , Environmental impact analysis , Groundwater , Pollution
- Description: Due to death being an extremely sensitive issue, the topic of cemeteries and associated environmental impacts is often left outside the mainstream environmental critique. However, this is a topic becoming more prevalent as the population numbers and the death rate increases, while the amount of available land decreases. Recent research has indicated that poorly sited cemeteries may pose a significant threat to groundwater resources with the consequential potential for severe health hazards. This has resulted in the need for a method of determining the acceptability of a given area for the establishment of a cemetery in a South African context. Cemeteries should be sited in such a way as to mitigate potential public health and safety concerns, minimise associated environmental impacts and provide a method of body disposal that is economically viable. This study therefore provides an integrated methodology to identify and assess a given area and rank a number of potential sites, ultimately determining a single cemetery site which proves to be acceptable for the establishment of a cemetery. Cemetery site selection should be based on the factors affecting the pollution potential of a proposed cemetery. These factors were identified and quantified based on research into the mechanisms of cemetery site pollution resulting in a number of fatal flaws and criteria deemed decisive when selecting a potential cemetery site. The assessment of a site with regards to these criteria and fatal flaws is undertaken through the use of GIS analysis software utilising data layers containing information on the site selection criteria, by investigating existing studies, literature or reports relating to the relevant area, or through field investigations. Although these criteria are vital when determining the specific characteristics of a site in terms of its pollution potential, a method of assessing a number of potential sites with regards to these criteria is vital. To this end, a multi-criteria ranking matrix has been developed, allowing for an objective method of assessing individual sites and thus indicating which sites are more suited for the establishment of a cemetery. The ranking matrix identifies a range of values for each criterion, therefore identifying a minimum and maximum allowable value. A site is then assessed with regards to these criteria in relation to the values identified in the ranking matrix. Each criteria is assigned a score according to the site conditions. Once the criteria for each site has been assessed and scored, the results can be tallied allowing the sites to be ranked according to which site proved to be the most acceptable for a cemetery based on the findings of the application of the site selection criteria. The methodology developed in this study is unique to previous studies in that it provides an integrated and staged approach to identifying, assessing and applying the criteria affecting the pollution potential of a cemetery. The methodology also provides a means of ranking a number of potential sites so to determine the most suitable. Furthermore, the criteria deemed as decisive in previous investigations were in most cases not quantified by the relevant authors, therefore leaving many of the criteria values up for interpretation. For this methodology to be affective, all criteria must be quantified therefore identifying maximum and minimum allowable limits for each. This study applies minimum and maximum allowable limits to these criteria, therefore aiding in the ranking process. The integrated methodology developed was then applied to a case study where by the effectiveness in identifying a number of potential cemetery sites could be tested. Subsequent to the application of this methodology to a case study, it was concluded that an additional two criteria, not identified in previous investigations, needed to be assessed to more adequately determine the suitability or otherwise of a site for a cemetery. Ultimately, twelve major criteria have been proposed for use as the basis of the methodology. The methodology and pertinent criteria proposed in this study should be compiled as a standard for planning authorities and consultants to use as a method of determining a number of potential environmentally sound cemetery sites.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Delineation of buried stream channels using geophysical techniques
- Authors: Biedler, Murray W
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Stream channelization , Seismic refraction method , Electric prospecting , Electromagnetism , Aquifers -- South Africa , Groundwater , Hydrogeology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4823 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005498 , Stream channelization , Seismic refraction method , Electric prospecting , Electromagnetism , Aquifers -- South Africa , Groundwater , Hydrogeology -- South Africa
- Description: This study sets out to evaluate the use of geophysical methods for delineating buried stream channels, which can act as zones of preferential flow within a less hydraulically conductive aquifer. This information is important for gaining an understanding of flow dynamics of alluvial systems. The most reliable method of delineating the dimensions of aquifers is by drilling, which is an expensive proposition and is best preceded by a preliminary geophysical study to help define target zones for a drilling program. The study area is located adjacent to the Coerney River in the Sundays River Valley. Geologically it consists of approximately 5 metres of alluvial fines, covering 3 metres of coarse cobbles and boulders, all underlain by alternating siltstone and sandstone beds of indeterminate thickness. Throughout the area the water is very shallow at approximately 2 metres depth and the groundwater tends to be very saline. An air photo study revealed an old oxbow channel that had been covered over by subsequent agricultural land use. The geophysical methods available for the study were portable seismic refraction, electrical resistivity and electromagnetics. Preliminary field tests clearly showed that seismics did not produce valid results. The methods of electrical resistivity and electromagnetics produced good data and were subjected to further assessment. A grid was surveyed over the study area and both geophysical methods were applied at regularly spaced stations. Soil samples were taken over the same survey grid and analyzed for electrical conductivity in a soils laboratory. The results were compared to the geophysical data in an attempt to quantify the relationship between geophysical response and soil salinity. The data from the electromagnetic survey showed areas of low electrical conductivity which was a possible indication of zones of preferential groundwater flow. A transect of boreholes was drilled over selected electrical conductivity lows and successfully intersected the buried stream channel. A comparison of the borehole logs with the layered earth models from the Vertical Electrical Soundings indicated that the electrical resistivity method was not responding to the features of the buried stream channel and the cobblestone layer. This proved the electromagnetic method to be more valuable for this particular study
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- Date Issued: 1994