In the bustling metropolis of Istanbul, a city teetering on the edge of a seismic fault line, the looming threat of an earthquake is not just a matter of when, but how to manage the aftermath. Among the myriad challenges, one stands out: the disposal of hazardous solid waste, expected to reach a staggering 25 million tons, according to experts. Enter Sena Dere, an assistant professor at Sakarya University, and her groundbreaking research published in the Journal of Advanced Research in Natural and Applied Sciences.
Dere’s study, a fusion of Geographic Information System (GIS) data and fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods, is set to revolutionize how we approach disaster waste management. The crux of her work lies in identifying and prioritizing evaluation criteria for hazardous solid waste landfill (HSWL) sites, a task as complex as it is critical.
“One of the key challenges in selecting HSWL sites is the multitude of factors that need to be considered,” Dere explains. “These range from environmental and social impacts to economic viability.” Her approach, which employs the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) for criteria prioritization, offers a robust solution to this intricate puzzle.
The study begins with a thorough literature review and expert consultations to pinpoint the most relevant evaluation criteria. These criteria are then prioritized using FAHP, a method that incorporates uncertainty and vagueness inherent in decision-making processes. GIS data for these criteria are subsequently collected from various sources and analyzed using ArcGIS 10.8 to create a suitability map for Istanbul.
Dere’s methodology doesn’t stop at mapping. She goes a step further by applying the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to five candidate sites, ultimately identifying Fevzipaşa/Silivri on the European side and Hasanlı/Şile on the Asian side as the most suitable locations for HSWL construction. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted to ensure the robustness of these findings.
The implications of this research are far-reaching, particularly for the energy sector. The safe and efficient management of hazardous waste is not just an environmental imperative but also an economic one. Improper disposal can lead to soil, water, and air contamination, posing significant risks to public health and the environment. This, in turn, can result in hefty fines and remediation costs for energy companies, not to mention the potential loss of social license to operate.
Dere’s work, however, offers a pathway to mitigate these risks. By providing a systematic and scientific approach to HSWL site selection, her research can help energy companies navigate the complexities of disaster waste management, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and safeguarding their bottom line.
Looking ahead, this research paves the way for future developments in the field. As Dere puts it, “Our approach can be adapted to other cities and regions, providing a comprehensive framework for hazardous waste management.” This adaptability, coupled with the robustness of the methodology, makes Dere’s work a significant contribution to the field.
In a world grappling with the realities of climate change and natural disasters, research like Dere’s is not just timely but essential. It offers a beacon of hope, guiding us towards a future where disaster waste management is not a challenge but an opportunity to build resilience and sustainability.