Pert Stadium Environmental Analysis - Case Study Example

Pert Stadium Environmental Analysis Name Course Name and Code Institution Name Date Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Biophysical Attributes 3 Air Quality 3 Noise and Vibration 4 Fauna and Flora 5 Surface and Ground Water 5 Major Degradation Issues 6 Terrestrial Flora and Fauna 6 Aquatic Flora and Fauna 7 Ground Water 8 Air Quality 8 Strategies for Mitigation 9 Terrestrial Fauna and Flora 9 Aquatic Fauna and Flora 10 Surface Water 10 Ground Water 11 Air Quality 12 Conclusion 12 References 13 Introduction The paper discusses the biophysical attributes that would be affected because of the construction of New Pert Stadium. The paper is divided into three parts: part one discusses the biophysical attributes; part 2 discusses the degradation issues; while part 3 discusses mitigation strategies. Biophysical Attributes The biophysical attributes abiotic and biotic factors that a population, an organization and the factors are important in their evolution, development, and survival. The biophysical attributes differs based on the environment and circumstances and examples include terrestrial, atmospheric and marine environment. The location of the Pert Stadium and the environment introduces numerous aspects of the environment. Some of the aspects and its influences in the construction process include: Air Quality Maintenance of air quality is integral to any project (Department of Planning, 2014). Without effective air quality management, pollution occurs and it affects both the environment and people within the vanity. It is integral to do an assessment to determine the gases within the project site and to determine the extent in which the gases can affect the environment (Government of Western Australia, 2014). The project area is known to contain asbestos and asbestos is more risky to humans when compared to the environment. The area had an industrial plant that produced asbestos and the area was used for fill activities (Oldmeadow & Marinova, 2011). Ground gas is also found in the area and the origin of the gases has not been documented well: are the ground gases caused by the underlying organic rich or land fill waste? The ground gases will affect the personnel mostly and later on, it may affect the persons using the stadium. Some of the chemical components of ground gases include methane, carbon dioxide, and H2S (Government of Western Australia 2012). Noise and Vibration Noise and vibration pollution are common in construction areas in which transportation plays an integration component in the construction process (Government of Western Australia, 2012). Some of the sources of the noise and vibration pollution include vehicles, machineries, drilling equipments, and personnel at site (Government of Western Australia 2012). The governments across the world determine the average noise production per day based on decibels and the average value must be maintained (Oldmeadow & Marinova, 2011). The construction of Perth Stadium requires numerous heavy machineries that are used for drilling, excavation, mixing and transportation of the raw materials. In addition, the personnel frequently communicate during the process and the levels of noise produced may affect the community and ecosystems (Department of Planning, 2014). For example, some animals are not comfortable with certain levels of noise and pollution and the animals may relocate affecting the ecosystem (Government of Western Australia, 2014). For instances, birds accept up to certain levels of noise and frequent explosions may make the animals to relocate (Environmental Protection Authority, 2012). It is important to determine when the heavy machines can be used to ensure the community continues to operate without external interference e.g. heavy machines night use should be limited. Fauna and Flora Fauna are all the animals found in a given area while flora is the plants found in the area (Department of Planning, 2014). Different regions based on geographical orientation and use factors into consideration numerous components that inform when it comes to fauna and flora. Within the project area of Perth Stadium, numerous fauna and flora exits: in both aquatic and terrestrial. The aquatic fauna and flora include the feral fish, turtles and plants within the area (Government of Western Australia, 2012). The terrestrial fauna and flora include any creature and plant that is found on the surface of the land. The Swan River and the lakes around the environment area in which fauna and flora is common and measures should be in place to prevent pollution of the fauna and flora (Oldmeadow & Marinova, 2011). Furthermore, avian animals are unique to the region and measures should be undertaken to ensure these animals are not affected during the construction and post construction (Government of Western Australia, 2014). The region was used as an industrial facility and numerous landfills were done. Disturbing the soil during the construction and subsequent use may release the toxic and other materials buried such as asbestos (Department of Planning, 2014). Surface and Ground Water The area of construction is near a river and lake and chances of pollution are high (Government of Western Australia, 2012). The underground was also used for landfills and the method of construction increases the chances of water pollution. For example, drilling of the holes for the columns increase pollution across aquifers since the water can move between the aquifers. In addition, the construction features may result in storm water during rainfall period or during discharge of construction water. The water may clear the fauna during flow and result in soil erosion, which is then dumped into the river and lake increasing the nutrients (Oldmeadow & Marinova, 2011). The nutrients will increase food production and impact the ecosystem within the river. Moreover, compaction of the soil makes the moisture and water to seep and since the area was an industrial environment, the water may contain some dangerous chemical components such as lead (Department of Planning, 2014). The region is also known to contain unique fauna and flora, and protection should be in place to ensure these components are protected accordingly. Major Degradation Issues The construction and future use of the New Perth Stadium may result in numerous environmental degradation issues. The construction process will affect the terrestrial, underground, water and atmospheric aspects of the environment. The degradation issues in the sectors of flora and fauna, air quality, and water are discussed. Terrestrial Flora and Fauna During the construction phase, the excavation and clearing of vegetation results in loss of native vegetation (Government of Western Australia, 2012). The clearing of the vegetation impacts on the biodiversity and fauna abundance because food source and habitant is lost due to the clearance of the vegetation. In addition, it inhibits the process in which animals can move around and access feeding and breeding areas (Department of Planning, 2014). The groundwater through alteration in hydrology affects the quality of the water and may also be attributed to contamination because of fuel spills and other chemicals used. The noise disturbances due to vibrations, constructions equipments and utilization of the stadium affect the fauna of the region (Department of Planning, 2014). Other environmental issues include smothering of the vegetation, introduction of pathogens, animal pests and plant. Hence, the entire fauna would be affected due to the construction (Oldmeadow & Marinova, 2011). Aquatic Flora and Fauna Clearing of aquatic vegetation and infill/removal of lake habitants negates the life of aquatic flora and fauna (Government of Western Australia, 2012). Aquatic vegetation may be lost because of indirect actions such as exaction activity and vehicle movements that damage the vegetation. The Swan River may be affected through loss of riparian vegetation and bank sediment (Government of Western Australia, 2014). The loss may affect the population because the environment may not be sustainable especially to habitants of waterfowl. The animals may be unable to migrate and move around because of blocking of habitant movements (Oldmeadow & Marinova, 2011). Contamination and alteration in hydrology affects the water process and may affect the entire pollution of aquatic life. In addition, introduction of pathogens, aquatic fauna and flora pests may occur during the construction and post construction period. The water quality can be affected especially when the transportation process is not effective (Government of Western Australia 2012). Through increase in nutrients levels in water due to erosion, eutrophication and toxicity would be evidenced leading to the destruction of the Swan River and adjacent lakes (Department of Planning, 2014). Surface Water The disturbance of surface water results in disturbance to the aquatic ecosystems because of the alteration of hydrogeology and hydrology of the Swan River environments, lakes, estuaries and underlying aquifer(s). The quality of the water will be affected because of the leachate seeping into the groundwater and landfill contaminants (Government of Western Australia, 2014). The surface water can lead to the contamination of other adjacent regions due to uncontrolled storm water, fuel spills, chemical spills and storm water run-off (Government of Western Australia, 2012). The dusts due to the construction may affect the surface water resulting in general negation of environment sustainability (Government of Western Australia 2012). Ground Water The use of ground improvement methodologies such as surcharging may result in movement of ground water following the westerly flow direction toward the Swan River (Government of Western Australia, 2012). The movement of the ground water may result in contamination of the Swan River. The use of the wick drains and stone columns may contribute to cross contamination across the aquifers (Department of Planning, 2014). However, the contamination will dependent on the depth of the columns. The clearing of the vegetation affects the ground water due to the alteration of the hydrogeology and hydrology. The quality of the water may be affected through extracting and disposal of ground water (Oldmeadow & Marinova, 2011). The quality of the water may be affected because of leachate seeping and landfill contaminants. Other indirect risks include spills, ground disturbance, and unmanaged water storms (Government of Western Australia 2012). Furthermore, potential risks include mobilization of pollutants and acidification. Air Quality Chances of increase in greenhouse gas due to emissions that are attributed to organic matter decomposing, decomposition of soil and combustion of fuel (Government of Western Australia, 2014). In addition, particulate emissions may occur due to the exhaust emissions and combustion of fuel. Airborne dust may increase due to excavation operations, vehicle movements, transportation of sand/loading and clearing of the vegetation (Government of Western Australia, 2012). The increase in the amounts of greenhouse gas emissions due to the operation of machinery may result in health concerns if managed incorrectly (Oldmeadow & Marinova, 2011). Some of the gases that may be emitted during the process include nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. Particulate emissions are usually generated during the dry conditions and excessive production of the particulates results in smothering the vegetation, reduction of visual amenity and detrimental to human health (Department of Planning, 2014). Other degradation gases that can be released due to the construction include odorous compounds, hazardous air pollutants, volatile organic compounds, methane and carbon dioxide. Strategies for Mitigation It is important to protect the environment and to create an environment that is sustainable. Numerous measures and mitigation strategies can be employed to address the challenges and degradation components that are associated with the construction process. The following are some of the mitigation strategies to address the degradation processes. Terrestrial Fauna and Flora A buffer zone should be in place to preserve the riparian vegetation around River-fed Lake and Swan River to prevent disturbance in forms of maintaining bank stability, minimizing erosion and maintaining habitant. Air quality management measures should be introduced to address dust emissions through either preventing or mitigating the emissions (Government of Western Australia, 2014). Visual amenity and vibration measures should incorporate to address light disturbance and vibration noises (Government of Western Australia, 2012b). The contamination to the surface water, groundwater and land should be management through introducing waste management measures to dispose appropriately any waste material (Government of Western Australia, 2012). The clearing of the vegetation should be minimized and any clearance should be necessary in nature (Department of Planning, 2014). Arbitrary clearing without undue process should not be encouraged (Government of Western Australia 2012). Moreover, awareness program is crucial in sustaining the requirements of sustainability and informing the different stakeholders on the importance of awareness. Aquatic Fauna and Flora Dewatering activities and infill should be limited to the areas necessary (Government of Western Australia, 2014). Catch and relocation program implementation is crucial to conserve specific aquatic vertebrate fauna; for example, it should focus on the turtles and fish within these regions. Monitoring ground water and surface water is important to determine instances of pollution (Oldmeadow & Marinova, 2011). The avian fauna breeds during certain periods and it is important to avoid infilling of the lake habitants during these periods. The feral fish populations should not be transferred from the Irrigation Lake to the Swan River. In addition, buffer zone should be created between the River-fed Lake and the Swan River to minimize erosion (Government of Western Australia, 2012b). The movement of machinery and vehicles should be controlled and these machineries should be used in specific regions (Government of Western Australia, 2012). Noise, emissions, dusts and contamination should be managed to preserve the aquatic life. An awareness program should be maintained to incorporate the different stakeholders into the process (Department of Planning, 2014). Surface Water A buffer zone determination is important in preserving the riparian vegetation especially along the River-fed Lake and Swan River (Government of Western Australia, 2014). Contamination control to the surface water, ground water and land due to spills should be managed through championing a waste management process (Government of Western Australia, 2012b). The River-fed Lake should be protected and retention mechanisms introduced to protect the aquatic fauna and flora in the Swan River. The storm water and other discharges should be managed to prevent contamination of the Swan River (Government of Western Australia, 2012). The storm water management should incorporate capture and disposal program. The processes may include prevention of storm water pooling, deviation of storm water, redirecting the storm water, and conservation of the water (Perth Stadium 2012). These strategies are aimed at controlling the movement of surface water and its influences to the lakes and the entire environment (Oldmeadow & Marinova, 2011). Ground Water Implementation of management measures should be championed to prevent contamination of surface and ground water due to contamination risks and spills (Government of Western Australia, 2014). Monitoring and developmental programs should be instituted to enable analyze the Swan River to determine whether degradation takes place (Government of Western Australia, 2012b). Educational and awareness programs are important before the project starts so that the personnel are informed on strategies of protecting the ground water (Government of Western Australia, 2012). The programs should include most of the factors known that contributes toward degradation of the ground water system. The program should also contain mitigation strategies if adverse incidents occur. Wells should be drilled around the River-fed Lake to determine the extent of contamination and mechanisms that can be employed to address the issues (Government of Western Australia, 2013). Some of the components that can be seen include level of nutrients and if the situation is witnessed, some of the measures to be instituted include dewatering spears, and abstraction wells. Frequent reviews on hydrogeology and hydrology should be done to ensure the ecological environment is maintained accordingly (Oldmeadow & Marinova, 2011). Air Quality An air quality monitoring programme should be incorporated to manage dusty emissions and any impact of ground gases (Government of Western Australia, 2014). The vehicles should be well maintained so that the vehicles reduce the production of greenhouse gases (Government of Western Australia, 2012b). The vehicles should be maintained frequently and also the plants should be regularly serviced. Weather monitoring during the construction period to determine when it is favorable to continue construction and when to institute precautionary measures (Government of Western Australia, 2012). The odors are supposed to be kept away from the community and awareness program for both the residents and the personnel should be encouraged (Government of Western Australia 2012). It is important to acknowledge the previous use of the site and some of the wastes deposited at the site (Oldmeadow & Marinova, 2011). The wastes such as asbestos affect human health and precautionary measures are integral to achieve the requirements of environmental sustainability (Department of Planning, 2014). Conclusion Construction of the New Pert Stadium results in affecting the environment and numerous biophysical attributes are affected. Some of the attributes include pollution of water, air, and the entire environment. The project area was originally a landfill area and an industrial complex was constructed. Some of the pollutants include gases, emissions, asbestos and other pollutants that are dangerous to the ecosystems. Awareness programs, protection and mitigation measures are important in ensuring the environment is sustainable and the project is completed accordingly. References Department of Planning. (July, 2014). Draft New Perth Stadium Management Plan. Retrieved from http://www.planning.wa.gov.au/dop_pub_pdf/perth_stadium.pdf Environmental Protection Authority. (2013). EPA Referral Form. Retrieved from http://www.perthstadium.com.au/docs/default-source/new-Perth-Stadium-files/epa-referral-form.pdf?sfvrsn=2 Environmental Protection Authority. (December, 2012). New Perth Stadium Flora and Fauna Surveys: Report Addendum. Retrieved from https://consultation.epa.wa.gov.au/seven-day-comment-on-referrals/a601372/supporting_documents/Attachment%202%20Flora%20Fauna%20Survey%20Addendum.pdf Government of Western Australia. (December, 2012). New Perth Stadium Transport: project Definition Plan. Retrieved from http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Portals/0/docs/Perth_Stadium_Transport_-_Public_PDP_-_FINAL.pdf Government of Western Australia. (July 2014). New Perth Stadium: Project Environmental Management Plan. Report – Golder Associates: Report Number 117643077-036-R-Rev1 Government of Western Australia. (July, 2013). New Perth Stadium - Project Environmental Management Plan. Retrieved from http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/docs/default-source/new-Perth-Stadium-files/new-perth-stadium-environmental-management-plan.pdf?sfvrsn=2 Government of Western Australia. (October, 2012). New Perth Stadium: Environment Impact Assessment – Section 38 Referral Supporting Document. Report – Golder Associates: Report Number 117643077-024-R-Rev0. Government of Western Australia. (October, 2012b). New Perth Stadium-New Perth Stadium Environmental Management Plan. Retrieved from http://www.epa.wa.gov.au/EIA/referralofProp-schemes/Lists/Proposal/Attachments/205/Environmental%20Management%20Plan.pdf Oldmeadow, E., & Marinova, D. (2011). Into geothermal solutions: the sustainability case for Challenge Stadium in Perth, Western Australia. Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, 30(3), 476-485. Perth Stadium. 2012. Appeal Against Decision of the Environmental Protection Authority not to Assess New Perth Stadium Project, Burswood Peninsula. Retrieved from http://www.perthstadium.com.au/docs/default-source/new-Perth-Stadium-files/329-12-ministers-appeal-determination_11jan12.pdf?sfvrsn=4 Read More