Applications of Emergy Analysis to the Evaluation of Remediation Alternatives in Cadmium Contaminated Soils

• Main Authors: Lu Yu-Chih, 呂昱志
• Other Authors: Shanshin Ton
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 1996
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/64410150517449927394

碩士 === 國立中興大學 === 資源管理研究所 === 86 === Due to industrial activities in the past two decades, the land contaminated by heavy metal has increased in Taiwan. We are now facing a broad range of problems associated with soil contamination. High concentration of cadmium was found in many of the agricultural fields, and even been found in rice. Furthermore, the ground water can be polluted by leaching of the contaminants from soils. It may degrade the quality of the environment and pose a risk of the human health. Soil is an essential resources for human being and other living creatures. It is really important to take action in contaminated sites as soon as possible. The selection of an appropriate treatment alternatives is very complicated. Many aspects must be considered, which including the characterization of the contaminants, the size of contaminated sites, the cleanup standard, and the cost/benefit of cleanup action, etc. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to present a method for decision making in soil remediation. Based on the principles of social justy and resources sustainability, three alternatives were proposed in this study, which including no treatment, excavation and planting. By using the emergy-based ecological economic evaluation method, these alternatives were carefully examed. According the to emergy analysis, the net benefit, i.e., macroeconomic values, suggests that planting is the best remedial alternative in this study. However, the excavation action is considered to be a highly effective alternative for cleaning up contamination, but the high price of the treatment make this option uncomparable. And the strategy of the no treatment is the worst choice of all.