Consideration of Environmental and Socio-economic Aspects …
57
more susceptible to these anthropogenic interventions than others, we decided to
begin with the analysis of the studied territories’ natural space availability.
1 Site 1 is
located in a zone of intense industrial activity, the natural space availability here is
very low—less than 15%. However, construction of a new biorefinery is not planned
here, so the impact on the natural space volume will not be changed. The natural
space availability at site 2 varies from 15% to more than 80%, with the dominant
natural space part of around 50%. This site is not currently experiencing intensive
industrial disturbance. However, if the new industrial complex is constructed here,
the territory would be subjected to a serious environmental transformation. As for
site 3, the natural space availability is in the range of <15–50%. Therefore, this area
is not characterized by a high natural space availability. In the case of a biorefinery
facility construction it would undergo several transformations, but these would be
less important than for site 2. None of the sites studied is located at the zone of
existing/projected natural parks or biosphere reserves.
The activity of the biorefinery facility could impact the water quality at all stages of
its value chain. Nevertheless, there are two main phases, involving large water volume
use risking water pollution: the agricultural production site, including pretreatment
site, as well as the industrial process site (Roundtable on Environmental Health
Sciences 2014). To evaluate the possible water pollution of the three studied sites,
we analyzed the regional hydrographic network
2 of the Grand-Est region. Sites 1 and
2 are located within a contrasting hydrographic network with many basin heads. Both
sites are in the Seine-Normandy basin, where the hydrographic network is organized
mainly around the Marne, the Aube and the Aisne rivers. The sites are rather close to
several rivers that could be polluted during biorefinery operating. In contrast to site
1 where no new construction is envisaged, the process of biorefinery construction at
site 2 could lead to more significant impact on local water resources. Site 3 is located
in the Meuse basin, that is also crossed by many rivers. Thus, the construction of a
biorefinery facility here and its operation could lead to water pollution.
Numerous past and present industrial and agricultural activities of the Grand-Est
region led and still lead to soil pollution that is more or less obvious in different
zones. At site 1, soil pollution as a result of industrial activity has been identified,
however some specific treatment technologies have been implemented here; at this
site the underground water quality is already under surveillance. At site 2, no polluted
or potentially polluted soils are identified. Site 3 is located in a zone of polluted soils.
In addition, it is situated near to a mine salt basin zone. As for air quality, all three
sites are located in zones identified as not being sensitive to air pollution. However,
it should be noted that this evaluation is limited, since the air quality sensitivity is
based only on known NO 2 and PM 10 emission levels.
1 Based on the regional natural space map (http://draaf.grand-est.agriculture.gouv.fr/IMG/png/
CarteGrandEstCom-OSCOM2014_EspNat_New1_cle85fdcb.png).
2 The hydrographic network map of the Grand-Est region (https://www.actualitix.com/carte-grandest.html).
57
more susceptible to these anthropogenic interventions than others, we decided to
begin with the analysis of the studied territories’ natural space availability.
1 Site 1 is
located in a zone of intense industrial activity, the natural space availability here is
very low—less than 15%. However, construction of a new biorefinery is not planned
here, so the impact on the natural space volume will not be changed. The natural
space availability at site 2 varies from 15% to more than 80%, with the dominant
natural space part of around 50%. This site is not currently experiencing intensive
industrial disturbance. However, if the new industrial complex is constructed here,
the territory would be subjected to a serious environmental transformation. As for
site 3, the natural space availability is in the range of <15–50%. Therefore, this area
is not characterized by a high natural space availability. In the case of a biorefinery
facility construction it would undergo several transformations, but these would be
less important than for site 2. None of the sites studied is located at the zone of
existing/projected natural parks or biosphere reserves.
The activity of the biorefinery facility could impact the water quality at all stages of
its value chain. Nevertheless, there are two main phases, involving large water volume
use risking water pollution: the agricultural production site, including pretreatment
site, as well as the industrial process site (Roundtable on Environmental Health
Sciences 2014). To evaluate the possible water pollution of the three studied sites,
we analyzed the regional hydrographic network
2 of the Grand-Est region. Sites 1 and
2 are located within a contrasting hydrographic network with many basin heads. Both
sites are in the Seine-Normandy basin, where the hydrographic network is organized
mainly around the Marne, the Aube and the Aisne rivers. The sites are rather close to
several rivers that could be polluted during biorefinery operating. In contrast to site
1 where no new construction is envisaged, the process of biorefinery construction at
site 2 could lead to more significant impact on local water resources. Site 3 is located
in the Meuse basin, that is also crossed by many rivers. Thus, the construction of a
biorefinery facility here and its operation could lead to water pollution.
Numerous past and present industrial and agricultural activities of the Grand-Est
region led and still lead to soil pollution that is more or less obvious in different
zones. At site 1, soil pollution as a result of industrial activity has been identified,
however some specific treatment technologies have been implemented here; at this
site the underground water quality is already under surveillance. At site 2, no polluted
or potentially polluted soils are identified. Site 3 is located in a zone of polluted soils.
In addition, it is situated near to a mine salt basin zone. As for air quality, all three
sites are located in zones identified as not being sensitive to air pollution. However,
it should be noted that this evaluation is limited, since the air quality sensitivity is
based only on known NO 2 and PM 10 emission levels.
1 Based on the regional natural space map (http://draaf.grand-est.agriculture.gouv.fr/IMG/png/
CarteGrandEstCom-OSCOM2014_EspNat_New1_cle85fdcb.png).
2 The hydrographic network map of the Grand-Est region (https://www.actualitix.com/carte-grandest.html).