emergy & complex systems day 4, lecture 8 …. emergy and environmental impact assessment emergy...

Emergy & Complex SystemsDay 4, Lecture 8….

Emergy and

Environmental Impact Assessment

Emergy and

Environmental Impact Assessment

Oil spill, phosphate mining, transformity and toxicity, transformity and ecosystem health


Environmental Impacts on Terrestrial Ecosystems...

Environmental Impacts on Terrestrial Ecosystems...


Environmental Impacts on Marine Ecosystems...Environmental Impacts on Marine Ecosystems...


Local Non- renewable sources

EnvironmentalSystems

Economic Use

N LocalRenewable Sources

R

Purchased Resources

Services

Yield

F

Y

Yield (Y) = R+N+F%Renew = R/ (R+N+F)Nonrenewable to Renewable Ratio = (N+F)/ REmergy Yield Ratio = Y/ FEmergy Investment Ratio = F/ (R+N)Environmental Loading Ratio = (F+N)/ R

Emergy Ratios for Assessing Environmental

Impact

Emergy Ratios for Assessing Environmental

Impact


Alternate

Potential

EnvSource Original Use

to bediverted

New Use

R

R2

R1

F1

F2

Importsfrom MainEconomy

F2

R3

R1*ELR

R1

P1

P2

P3

P4

Comparison of Development Alternatives

Comparison of Development Alternatives


Emergy Evaluation of Exxon Valdez Oil Spill


On March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez grounded on Bligh Reef, and spilled nearly 11 million gallons of oil into the biologically rich waters of Prince William

Sound.


Map of Alaska showing the Trans-Alaska pipeline...Map of Alaska showing the Trans-Alaska pipeline...


Map showing the extent of the oil spill in Gulf of Alaska...

Map showing the extent of the oil spill in Gulf of Alaska...


Percent of the total losses

Two estimates of damages resulting from the oil spill...

Two estimates of damages resulting from the oil spill...


Distribution of the loss estimates...

Distribution of the loss estimates...


Oil spill losses compared to regional emergy budgets...Oil spill losses compared to regional emergy budgets...


Net benefits from prevention alternatives…

Net benefits from prevention alternatives…


The role of information in Exxon-Valdez oil spillThe role of information in Exxon-Valdez oil spill


I. Phosphate Mining and Reclamation

Description, historical perspective, phosphate facts...


Summary of Phosphate Mining SystemSummary of Phosphate Mining System


Main phosphate formation…the “bone valley”(1.3 million acres)

Secondary area of mining(50,000 acres)


Mining began in late 1800’s

Mined Peace River bottom

Until late 1930’s small scale - wide spread

Large scale mining began in 1950’s

Currently about 5000 acres /year are mined

Historical Perspective


Mined area to date………………….320,000 acres

Mining rate…………………...5 - 6,000 acres/yr

Total to be mined…….….700,000 acres

Investment in facilities………...$10 billion

Yearly wages…………………………….$300 million/yr

Taxes paid………………………………..$800 million/yr

Operating expenses (2001)

Equip and supplies……….$990 million

Electricity…………………….$100 million

Services………………………..$178 million

Phosphate mining facts...


Phosphate Mining vs. Everglades Restoration

Phosphate Reclamation

Everglades Restoration

Total Area 0.7 million Acres 1.5 million acres

Total cost $3.6 billion $7.8 billion

Yearly Op. Costs $0.0 $182 million


II. Quick Photographic Overview


Emergy Evaluation of Phosphate Mining and

Reclamation


AcidH2O

PVegetationO. M.

gd.H2O

P

Rain P

PO5

CalciumCarbonate

Sun

Mining

3.8 E19 sej

6,000 Mt/ac

1.3 E22 sej

Transpiration

160 acres

AcidH2O

PVegetationO. M.

gd.H2O

P

Rain P

PO5

CalciumCarbonate

Sun

Mining

3.8 E19 sej

6,000 Mt/ac

1.3 E22 sej

Transpiration

160 acres

Systems View and Emergy of Mining


PlantMaterial

EarthMoving

Infor.Services

Spoil Structure

Soils

EcosystemsSun

(assumes 100 years) E 18 sej

160 acres

12.0

1.53.0 1.2

EcosystemServices

PlantMaterial

EarthMoving

Infor.Services

Spoil Structure

Soils

EcosystemsSun

(assumes 100 years) E 18 sej

160 acres

12.0

1.53.0 1.2

EcosystemServices

Emergy in Restoration...Emergy in Restoration...


.

AcidH2OPVegetation O. M.

gd.H2OP

RainP

PO5CalciumCarbonate

SunMining

3.8 E19 sej

6,000 Mt/ac1.3 E22 sej

Transpiration

160 acres

0 100 200 300 400 500

Years

Mining Occurs 3.0 E14 sej/ac/yr

3.0

1.5

0

Production withoutReclamationProduction with

Reclamation

.

AcidH2OPVegetation O. M.

gd.H2OP

RainP

PO5CalciumCarbonate

SunMining

3.8 E19 sej

6,000 Mt/ac1.3 E22 sej

Transpiration

160 acres

0 100 200 300 400 500

Years

Mining Occurs 3.0 E14 sej/ac/yr

3.0

1.5

0

Production withoutReclamationProduction with

Reclamation

Benefits of Restoration...Benefits of Restoration...


0 100 200 300 400 500Years

Mining Occurs 3.0 E14 sej/ac/yr3.0

1.5

0

Production withoutReclamationProduction withReclamation

Net Benefit of Reclamation:

Loss without Reclamation = 3.0 E14 sej/ ac/ yr * 160 ac * 500 yr * 0.5

= 12.0 E18 sej

Loss with Reclamation = 3.0 E14 sej/ ac/ yr * 160 ac * 100 yr * 0.5

= 2.4 E18 sej

Net benefit reclamation = 12.0 E18 sej - 2.4 E18 sej

= 9.6 E18 sej

PlantMaterial EarthMoving Infor.Services

Spoil StructureSoils

EcosystemsSun

(assumes 100 years) E 18 sej160 acres

12.0

1.53.0 1.2

EcosystemServices

0 100 200 300 400 500Years


1.5

0



Loss without Reclamation = 3.0 E14 sej/ ac/ yr * 160 ac * 500 yr * 0.5

= 12.0 E18 sej

Loss with Reclamation = 3.0 E14 sej/ ac/ yr * 160 ac * 100 yr * 0.5

= 2.4 E18 sej

Net benefit reclamation = 12.0 E18 sej - 2.4 E18 sej

= 9.6 E18 sej



EcosystemsSun


12.0

1.53.0 1.2

EcosystemServices

Benefits of Restoration...Benefits of Restoration...


0 100 200 300 400 500Years


1.5

0



Reclamation costs = 1.5 + 3.0 + 1.2 = 5.7E18 sej

Reclamation benefits = 9.6 E18 sej

Net benefit ratio = 9.6 / 5.7 = 1.68/ 1



EcosystemsSun


12.0

1.53.0 1.2

EcosystemServices

0 100 200 300 400 500Years


1.5

0



Reclamation costs = 1.5 + 3.0 + 1.2 = 5.7E18 sej

Reclamation benefits = 9.6 E18 sej

Net benefit ratio = 9.6 / 5.7 = 1.68/ 1



EcosystemsSun


12.0

1.53.0 1.2

EcosystemServices

Net Benefits Ratio...Net Benefits Ratio...


Transformity and Toxicity



Transformities of selected metals as global flows to atmosphere and storages within a river ecosystem

Annual releases to atmosphere River ecosystem

(seJ/J) (seJ/J)

Aluminum 9.65E+06 3.30E+07Iron 8.46E+07 6.19E+07Chromium 2.59E+10 1.99E+10Arsenic 8.56E+11 --Lead 2.39E+12 3.59E+10Cadmium 1.52E+13 8.78E+10Mercury 6.85E+14 --

a - Not including human releaseb - Genoni et al. 2003



As transformities (emergy intensities) increase their potential effect within ecosystem increases.

Effects can be both positive and negative.

Transformity does not suggest the outcome that might result from the interaction of a stressor within an ecosystem, only that with high transformity, the effect is greater.



The ultimate effect of a pollutant or toxin is not only related to its transformity, but more importantly to its concentration or empower density (emergy per unit area per unit time, i.e. seJ/m2*day) in the ecosystem. Where empower density of a stressor is significantly higher than the average empower density of the ecosystem it is released into, one can expect significant changes in ecosystem function.

The ultimate effect of a pollutant or toxin is not only related to its transformity, but more importantly to its concentration or emergy density (emergy per unit area, i.e. seJ/m2) in the ecosystem.

Where emergy density of a stressor is significantly higher than the average emergy density of the ecosystem it is released into, one can expect significant changes in ecosystem function.


For instance, using the transformity of mercury in the previous Table and the exergy of mercury (Szargut et al. 1988) one can convert the transformity to a specific emergy of 3.7 E17 sej/g.

Using this specific emergy, and a mercury concentration of 0.001 ppb (the level the EPA considers to have chronic effects on aquatic life) the emergy density of the mercury in a lake would be 3.7 E12 sej/m2.


Emergy Density of Florida Ecosystems is about 1.0 E9 sej/m2


Landscape Development Intensity (LDI) Index


System Diagram of Landscape Development

Impacts

System Diagram of Landscape Development

Impacts


Independent measure of disturbance using land use/land cover, aerial photographs, and ground observations

Landscape Development Intensity…

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0

Human Disturbance Gradient

Wetland Condition Index


Based on intensity of human use

Intensity measured by nonrenewable energy flow.

Energy expressed in the same quality.

Energy flow characteristics determined per hectare of various land use types.



Land Use Development Intensity Coefficients...

Land Use, Non-Renewable Empower Density, and Resulting LDI Coefficients

Non-Renewable LDI

Land Use Empower Density Coefficients

(E14 sej/ha/yr)

Natural EcoSystem 0.00 1.00

Natural Open water 0.00 1.00

Pine Plantation 5.10 1.58

Recreational / Open Space (Low-intensity) 6.55 1.83

Woodland Pasture (with livestock) 8.00 2.02

Pasture (without livestock) 17.20 2.77

Low I ntensity Pasture (with livestock) 33.31 3.41

Citrus 44.00 3.68

High I ntensity Pasture (with livestock) 46.74 3.74

Row crops 107.13 4.54

Single Family Residential (Low-density) 1,077.00 6.79

Recreational / Open Space (High-intensity) 1,230.00 6.92

High I ntensity Agriculture (Dairy farm) 1,349.20 7.00

Single Family Residential (Med-density) 2,175.00 7.47

Single Family Residential (High-density) 2,371.80 7.55

Mobile Home (Medium density) 2,748.00 7.70

Highway (2 lane) 3,080.00 7.81

Low I ntensity Commercial 3,758.00 8.00

I nstitutional 4,042.20 8.07

Highway (4 lane) 5,020.00 8.28

Mobile Home (High density) 5,087.00 8.29

I ndustrial 5,210.60 8.32

Multi-f amily Residential (Low rise) 7,391.50 8.66

High I ntensity Commercial 12,661.00 9.18

Multi-f amily Residential (High rise) 12,825.00 9.19

Central Business District (Average 2 stories) 16,150.30 9.42

Central Business District (Average 4 stories) 29,401.30 10.00


Representative LDI Coefficients

Land use LDI-Coeff.

Natural landscape 1.0Tree plantation 1.6Pasture 3.0 - 3.7Agriculture 4.0 - 5.0Residential uses 6.0 - 8.3Roadways 7.8 - 8.5Commercial/Industrial uses 8.0 - 10.0


LDI = (LDIj * %LUj)

Where,

LDI = Landscape Development Intensity Index

LDIj = LDI coefficient for land use “j”

%LUj = Percent area of the wetland drainage basin occupied by land use “j”


0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

LDI

TN (kg/ha-yr)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

LDI

TN (kg/ha-yr)

Total Nitrogen Load

Total Nitrogen Load



0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

LDI

TP (kg/ha-yr)

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

LDI

TP (kg/ha-yr)

Total Phosphorus Load

Total Phosphorus Load



0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

LDI

TSS ( kg/ha/yr )

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

LDI

TSS ( kg/ha/yr )

Total Suspended Solids LoadTotal Suspended Solids Load



0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

LDI

WRAP Agricultural

Reference

Urban

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

LDI

WRAP Agricultural

Reference

Urban

LDI and Wetland Rapid Assessment “Score”

LDI and Wetland Rapid Assessment “Score”



0

20

40

60

80

100

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

LDI

Florida WCI

ReferenceAgriculturalUrban

0

20

40

60

80

100

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

LDI

Florida WCI

ReferenceAgriculturalUrban



Global Ecosystem Health as a Function of Landscape Development Intensity??


9 - 10 90%

L D I % Impaired

8 - 9 80%5 - 7 60%4 - 5 50%3 - 4 40%2 - 3 30%1 - 2 20%1.0 0 - 10%

Global Estimate of Ecological Health

Landscape Development Intensity

9 - 10 90%

L D I % Impaired

8 - 9 80%5 - 7 60%4 - 5 50%3 - 4 40%2 - 3 30%1 - 2 20%1.0 0 - 10%

Global Estimate of Ecological Health

Landscape Development Intensity

emergy & complex systems day 4, lecture 8 …. emergy and environmental impact assessment emergy...

Documents

emergy complex systems

emergy ratios

environmental impact

regional emergy budgets

historical perspective

ecosystem health slide

exxonvaldez oil spill

phosphate mining facts