Environmental risk assessment of Azad Dam using multiple criteria decision making method

Subject Areas : Water Pollution

R. Arjmandi ¹ , S. Malmasi ² , R. Nezakati ³ , Z. Allahdad ⁴

1 - Department of Environmental Management, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Department of Natural Resources Engineering-Environment, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 - Department of Natural Resources Engineering-Environment, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
4 - Department of Environmental Management, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2011-11-16 Accepted : 2012-02-04 Published : 2012-03-17

Keywords: Delphi method, TOPSIS model, Environmental risk assessment, multiple criteria decision making method, Entropy method, Azad Dam,

Abstract :

Azad Dam, in the western areas of Kordestan province, is located on KomasiRiver in the distance of 37 kilometers at the west of Sanandaj and 39 kilometers at the south-east of Marivan. In this research, risk assessments of activities during construction phases of the dam have been studied in order to mitigate the probable risks. To reach this goal, one of the multiple criteria decision making methods by the name of multiple Attribute Decision Making has been used.  Firstly, the risk factors have been recognized and ranked based on their importance, intensity and probable occurrence using Delphi questionnaire Method. Results were analyzed using SPSS software. In the next stage, the whole risk factors of Azad Dam were weighted and their priorities were determined applying Entropy method. Finally, environmental risks were ranked using TOPSIS Model. Results declare that the most important risks of the plan include the risk of  soil pollution and land-cover destruction with the score of 0.895, Komasi River water contamination with the score of 0.667, intense reduction of organic matters and nutrients in Komasi River flow at down side of the dam with a score of 0.597. At the end of this research, an environmental management program was presented to mitigate or control the probable risks of the project.