Abstract
Combustion of coal in thermal power plants poses significant threat to surrounding ecology, by the release of harmful effluents. This study assesses the bio-thermal impact of emissions from Catalagzı Thermal Power Plant Region (CTPPR). A geospatial analytical framework has been modeled, utilizing satellite-based bio and thermal indicators. Average hazardous bio and thermal influence zones around CTPPR have been found to be 1465 m and 1380 m, respectively. Bio-influence zone extent depends upon a combination of meteorological factors, whereas, the bio-hazard severity depends mainly on atmospheric temperature. Thermal influence extent is inversely related to seasonal temperature, whereas corresponding severity depends upon local heat sinks as well. Collectively, hazardous bio-thermal influence in the surroundings of CTPPR shows spatial constancy over long term. The study concludes usefulness of satellite-based economical alternatives for monitoring area under stress around CTPPR for sustainable environmental management of ecological landscapes, needed to improve the human-environment nexus.
Investigation of Thermal Power Plant (T P P) as source of environmental pollution
Dynamic geospatial bio-monitoring of vegetation using satellite-based VIs is done
Geospatial analysis reveals details of zones of hazardous bio-influence around T P Ps.
Identified factors determining extent and severity of hazard by T P P emissions.
Effectiveness of geospatial technology for ecological assessment is demonstrated
Highlights
Data availability statement
The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from USGS Earth Explorer Website: https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/.
Disclosure statement
The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.