A geographic information system screening tool to tackle diffuse pollution through the use of sustainable drainage systems

2014 ◽  
Vol 69 (10) ◽  
pp. 2066-2073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zorica Todorovic ◽  
Neil P. Breton
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Information System ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
Diffuse Pollution ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Drainage Systems ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Diffuse Pollutant Sources ◽  
Traditional Approaches ◽  
Sustainable Drainage Systems

Sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) offer many benefits that traditional solutions do not. Traditional approaches are unable to offer a solution to problems of flood management and water quality. Holistic consideration of the wide range of benefits from SUDS can result in advantages such as improved flood resilience and water quality enhancement through consideration of diffuse pollution sources. Using a geographical information system (GIS) approach, diffuse pollutant sources and opportunities for SUDS are easily identified. Consideration of potential SUDS locations results in source, site and regional controls, leading to improved water quality (to meet Water Framework Directive targets). The paper will discuss two different applications of the tool, the first of which is where the pollutant of interest is known. In this case the outputs of the tool highlight and isolate the areas contributing the pollutants and suggest the adequate SUDS measures to meet the required criteria. The second application is where the tool identifies likely pollutants at a receiving location, and SUDS measures are proposed to reduce pollution with assessed efficiencies.

scholarly journals READY: a web-based geographical information system for enhanced flood resilience through raising awareness in citizens

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 993-1024
Author(s):  
R. Albano ◽  
A. Sole ◽  
J. Adamowski
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Geographical Information System ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
General Public ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Flood Risks ◽  
Hazard And Risk ◽  
Self Protection

Abstract. As evidenced by the EU Floods Directive (2007/60/EC), flood management strategies in Europe have undergone a shift in focus in recent years. The goal of flood prevention using structural measures has been replaced by an emphasis on the management of flood risks using non-structural measures. One implication of this is that it is no longer public authorities alone who take responsibility for flood management. A broader range of stakeholders, who may experience the negative effects of flooding, also take on responsibility to protect themselves. Therefore, it is vital that information concerning flood risks are conveyed to those who may be affected in order to facilitate the self-protection of citizens. Experience shows that even where efforts have been made to communicate flood risks, problems persist. There is a need for the development of new tools, which are able to rapidly disseminate flood risk information to the general public. To be useful, these tools must be able to present information relevant to the location of the user. Moreover, the content and design of the tool need to be adjusted to laypeople's needs. Dissemination and communication influences both people's access to and understanding of natural risk information. Such a tool could be a useful aid to effective management of flood risks. To address this gap, a Web-based Geographical Information System, (WebGIS), has been developed through the collaborative efforts of a group of scientists, hazard and risk analysts and managers, GIS analysts, system developers and communication designers. This tool, called "READY: Risk, Extreme Events, Adaptation, Defend Yourself", aims to enhance the general public knowledge of flood risk, making them more capable of responding appropriately during a flood event. The READY WebGIS has allowed for the visualization and easy querying of a complex hazard and risk database thanks to a high degree of interactivity and its easily readable maps. In this way, READY has enabled fast exploration of alternative flood scenarios or past calamitous events. Combined also with a system of graphic symbols designed ad hoc for communication of self-protection behaviors, it is believed READY could lead to an increase in citizen participation, informed discussion and consensus building. The platform has been developed for a site-specific application, i.e. the Basilicata Region, Italy, has been selected as pilot application area. The goal of the prototype is to raise citizen awareness of flood risks, and to build social capacity and enhanced resilience to flood events.

scholarly journals A GIS methodology to support sea water quality assessment in coastal areas

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-127 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Spatial Analysis ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Multivariate Techniques ◽  
Analysis Methods ◽  
Wide Range

The development of methodologies for assessing water quality in coastal areas including mapping of eutrophication levels is a research area of high interest. A wide range of methodological approaches can be found in the literature, including multivariate techniques, since marine eutrophication is a multi-parametric phenomenon. In this context, statistical analysis and in particular Principal Component Analysis (PCA) have been widely applied. However, no attempt has been presented so far for mapping eutrophication levels based on information acquired from PCA results in integration with spatial analysis methods. The rapid development of Geographical Information Systems provides the appropriate framework for the development and application of methodologies integrating statistical analysis, spatial analysis methods and mapping techniques. This paper proposes such a methodological approach for assessing sea water quality in coastal areas. The methodology is clearly described and the Strait of Mytilene at the east of the Island of Lesvos in the NE Aegean Sea, Greece is used as a case study.

scholarly journals Coupling Field Observations and Geographical Information System (GIS)-Based Analysis for Improved Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) Performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tone Muthanna ◽  
Edvard Sivertsen ◽  
Dennis Kliewer ◽  
Lensa Jotta
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Geographical Information System ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Soils ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Urban Drainage ◽  
Drainage Systems ◽  
Urban Drainage Systems

Urbanization and increased precipitation volumes and intensities due to climate change add pressure to the urban drainage system, resulting in increased flooding frequencies of urban areas and deteriorating water quality in receiving waters. Infiltration practices and the use of blue green infrastructure, also called Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), can limit, and, in some cases, reverse the effects of urbanization. However, adequate infiltration capacity is an essential parameter for the successful implementation. In this paper, a Geographical Information System (GIS)-based hydrology analysis for SUDS placements is coupled with field measurements using Modified Phillip Dunne infiltrometer tests. The case study area is the expansion of the campus at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) over the next decade. Infiltration in urban soils can be highly heterogenous over short distances. When comparing measured infiltration rates with physical characteristics of the soils showed that the physical characteristics are not a good indication of the infiltration potential in urban soils with a large degree of compaction. The results showed that measuring the infiltration potential combined with flow path analysis can greatly enhance the benefits of blue green infrastructure, with an up to 70% difference in area required for SUDS solutions for managing 90% of the annual precipitation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document