An Interactive WebGIS Integrating Environmental Susceptibility Mapping in a Self-Burning Waste Pile Using a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Approach

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Lia Duarte (Author) FCUP; Ana Teodoro (Author) FCUP; Santos, P (Author) Other; de Almeida, CR (Author) Other; Cardoso-Fernandes, J (Author) FCUP; Flores, D (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Geosciences

Vol. 12

Final page: 352

ISSN: 2076-3263

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 10 Citations

Scopus - 12 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00X-73D

DOI: 10.3390/geosciences12100352

Abstract (EN): Mining activities promote resulting wastes, so coal mines are prone to release contaminants to the environment, namely to the soil and water. Therefore, the analysis of this type of risk is crucial in waste pile management. The Sao Pedro da Cova (Porto, Portugal) coal waste pile has been studied in recent years, with several data acquired from 2019-2021 under a research project using distinct methodologies. These results are now combined in a multi-approach method to estimate the environmental impacts of the waste pile and identify the contamination. With the integration of all the data in a Geographical Information System (GIS) environment, and to fulfill a scientific gap, this study aims: (i) to create a susceptibility map of contamination in the areas surrounding the self-burning coal waste pile in Sao Pedro da Cova, using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy AHP approaches; and (ii) to develop a webGIS application incorporating all the information acquired that can be useful for the residents of Sao Pedro da Cova and also to the decision-making public entities and researchers. The results obtained show that the contamination susceptibility is higher surrounding the abandoned mine, particularly along the waste piles and the corresponding runoff areas, which can be especially sensitive.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 20