Environmental Impact Assessment of Steel Plants Using Modified RIAM Method (Case Study: Tiam Steel Plant in Guilan Province)

Subject Areas : environmental management

Sajede madani ¹ ( - Research Expert of Academic Center for Education, Culture & Research, Environmental Research Institute of Jahad Daneshgahi, Rasht, Iran. * (Corresponding Author) )
Saeed malmasi ² ( Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, Islamic Azad University Tehran North Branch, Tehran, Iran. )
Roya nezakati esmaeelzade ³ ( Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, Islamic Azad University Tehran North Branch, Tehran, Iran. )

Received: 2013-11-15 Accepted : 2014-12-28 Published : 2017-03-21

Keywords: Environmental Impact Assessmen, Modified RIAM method, Steel plant, Fouman County, Environmental Management,

Abstract :

Background and Objective: Nowadays, environmental considerations are known to be a necessity in the country to achieve the objectives of sustainable development. In this regard, environmental impact assessment is an appropriate tool to achieve the sustainable development objectives. Thus, environmental impact assessment of constructing Tiam steel factories as  a mechanism by providing the proper and reasonable techniques of human and natural resources can reduce the costs. The aim of this study is to identify and predict the environmental impacts of constructing Tiam Bistoon steel and rolling factories by using modified RIAM matrix, providing methods to reduce the harmful environmental effects and rendering corrective proceedings. Method: The study area is located in industrial town of Tiam Bistooon at the east of Fouman County. In this study, the prominent impacts of constructing Tiam Bistoon steel and rolling factory were investigated using modified RIAM method for analyzing the impacts of construction in two construction and operation phases.  Findings: The results of analysis showed that construction activities and dismantling workshops, earthworks and construction camps had the greatest negative impact on air quality, noise level, soil erosion and surface water resources parameters in physico-chemical environment during the construction period. In biological environment, also, vegetation density would be mostly affected by clearing activities. Moreover, land use change and decline of health indicators have been known as the most significant negative impacts on the socio-economic environment. Conclusion: During the Tiam steel plant operation, the most effective activities have been identified to be combustion process, withdrawal of underground water resources, waste disposal, and transportation of raw materials and etc. which affected the regional air quality, noise level, amount of groundwater and soil characteristics. The most significant negative impact of the project, due to the gases emitted from combustion, would be on regional vegetation and habitat quality in the ecological and biological environment. Also creating job opportunities, thriving businesses and national development prosperity are the most significant positive effects of the project on the economic and social environment during the construction and operation periods. Due to the fact that most of the negative impacts of the project are in very small range, the project can be executed by applying environmental management methods and mitigation measures.

References:

1-      Environmental research institu, 2009, Project of Environmental Impact Assessment amirkabir steel plant.

2-      Environmental research institu, 2009, Project of Environmental Impact Assessment Tiam steel plants.

3-      Ijäs.Asko, Kuitunen, K. Markku, Jalava. Kimmo, 2010, developing the RIAM method (rapid impact assessment matrix) in the context of impact significance assessment,Environmental Impact Assessment Review 30: 82–89.

4-      Phillips. Jason, 2012, Applying a mathematical model of sustainability to the RapidImpact Assessment Matrix evaluation of the coal mining tailings dumpsin the Jiului Valley, Romania, Resources, Conservation and Recycling 65: 17-25.

5-      Mondal .M.K, Rashmi , Dsagupta B.V, 2010, EIAof municipal solid waste disposalsitein Varanasi using RIAM analysis,Resources,Conservationand Recycling,Volume 54,Issue 9, Pages 541–546.

6-      Kuitunen. Markku, Jalava. Kimmo, Hirvonen. Kimmo, 2008, testing the usability of the Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) method for comparison of EIA and SEA results, Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Volume 28, Issues 4–5, Pages 312–320.

7-      Foroghiabri M, 2008. Application of RIAM to the environmental impactassessment of touristycampsiteinthevicinityof ZayandehrodRiver(case study:Saman campsite) .MSC: Environmental Engineering,IslamicAzadUniversity Branchof ScienceandResearch,Tehran, Iran, P.193.

8-      Al Malek S.A,  Mohamed A.M.O, 2005, Environmental impact assessment of off shoreoilspillondesalinationplant, DESALINATION, Volume 185, Issues1–3, Pages 9–30.

 

9-      Abedinzadeh N, ravanbakhsh M, Kazemirad L. 2008, Environmental Impact Assessment of Torbat heidarieh Steel complex by Pastakia Matrix Method. International of the 2nd Symposium on Environmental Engineering; 2.

10-  Ghazi Mirsaeed S, Monavari M. Study of the Ecological Impacts of Infrastructre Construction of the Tehran- Pardis Highway on the Fauna (mammals and birds) of Khojir National Park. Environmental Science; 2005; 43-58.

11-  Sharafi A, makhdom M, ghaforian blori M,2008,Environmental Impact AssessmentCase Study: Automobile IndustryinTakestan. Environmental Science; 27-42.

12-  Abbasi Anarkoli D, Matin A, Samadi khadem S, Hosseini H, Khakpor M. 2012, Introduction of Fast Assessment and Coincidence on Environmental Impact in the Exploitation Fase of Amirabad's Port.. The 2nd Conference on Environmental Planning and Management University of Tehran, 10.

13-  Pastakia. Christopher M. R, 1998, The Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) –A New Tool for Environmental Impact Assessment, K. Jensen, Olsen & Olsen, Fredensborg, Denmark: 8-19.

14-  Management and Planning Organization, 2005,Technical deputy, Bureau of Standards Technical Editor, Steel Industry Environmental Assessment Guidelines.

15-  F. Schulthmann, R.Jochum, 1999," Report on Best available Techniques (BAT) in the German Federal Environment.

16-  P. Harley, 2002,"Safty and health in the iron andsteel industry",Geneva, International labour office, pp 236.