Cemeteries as Indicators of Post-Settlement Anthropogenic Soil Degradation on the Atlantic Coastal Plain

Geleta, S.; Briand, Christopher H.; Folkoff, Michael E.; Zaprowski, Brent J.

doi:10.1007/s10745-014-9665-5

Cited by 11 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Excessive physical -chemical or biological cemeterial soil contamination has been reported in other regions of the world (Geleta et al, 2014;Całkosiński et al, 2015;Killgrove & Montgomery, 2016). This reinforces the importance of carrying out studies investigating the degree of contamination and attendant risks that cemeteries present to the population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Environmental damage and public health threat caused by cemeteries: a proposal of ideal cemeteries for the growing urban sprawl

Neckel

Costa

Mário

et al. 2017

urbe, Rev. Bras. Gest. Urbana

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Growing urban land development has led to a reduction in the space available for cemeteries and the juxtaposition of residential and cemeterial areas, further raising the polluting potential of the latter. The present case study sought to assess levels of physicochemical and microbiological contamination in the Central Cemetery of Marau (RS/Brazil), and propose vertical cemetery deployment as a way to reduce necroleachate-linked pollution impacts. The following information was collected from 43 additional rural cemeteries: number of tombs, graves, chapels, and small vertical constructions with drawers, state of conservation and cleanliness and total area and perimeter of the cemetery. Eighty professionals of environmentally sustainable urban planning from four countries (20 Brazilians, 20 American, 20 Portuguese and 20 Japanese) were interviewed regarding the ‘ideal cemetery’. Various risks of cemetery soil contamination were identified, particularly high amounts of heterotrophic microorganisms, especially fecal coliforms associated with burial sites. In order to avoid contamination risks to environment and population, the mplemention of a vertical model of cemetery is proposed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Environmental damage and public health threat caused by cemeteries: a proposal of ideal cemeteries for the growing urban sprawl

Neckel

Costa

Mário

et al. 2017

urbe, Rev. Bras. Gest. Urbana

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“…In direct contrast with such destruction, some cemeteries have served as refugia (Leopold, 1949: 45; Stowe et al, 2001: 1817). In one fascinating study, Geleta et al (2014) reported how pioneer cemeteries on the mid-Atlantic coastal plain of the USA are now higher than their surroundings because farming of that area has led to between 0.43 and 0.52 m of surface soil depletion over the course of perhaps 350 years of settlement in the region (Geleta et al, 2014: 630). Within urban areas, cemeteries can serve as important ‘islands of biodiversity’, maintaining the viability of species as various as birds and moths against the ravages of urbanism (Barrett and Barrett, 2001: 1820; Kozlov, 2007; Tryjanowski et al, 2017: 267–268).…”

Section: The Study Of Gravestones and Cemeteries In Physical Geogmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘That this too, too solid flesh would melt…’

Nash

2018

Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment

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Physical geographers have long shown an interest in necrogeography – the spatial study of human burial practices (especially cemeteries, gravestones, and memorials) – to the extent that their study has informed investigations concerning processes of landscape change, biogeographic developments, or environmental alteration. This paper argues that such contributions can be enhanced if set within the wider study of the commemoration of death. Since the influential work of Philippe Ariès on Western attitudes towards death, scholars have been alerted to the physical implications of cultural changes in burial practices. Alternatively, others have more recently used the concept of the ‘deathscape’ to place such changes within their analyses. The paper concludes that physical geography’s contribution to the study of necrogeography could be enhanced by the adoption of such broader frameworks.

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“…Pachecho et al (1991) reported evidence of bacteria, ammonium and nitrite ions in a plume of decreasing concentration with distance from a cemetery, and indications of proteolytic and lipolytic bacteria in groundwater, accompanied by malodours. Recently, several cemeterial soil contamination cases have been reported in other regions of the world (Geleta et al, 2014;Całkosiński et al, 2015;Killgrove & Montgomery, 2016;Neckel et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design of mass burial sites for safe and dignified disposal of pandemic fatalities

Leong

Abuel-Naga

Goli

et al. 2021

Environmental Geotechnics

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The huge number of fatalities due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has imposed an unprecedented pressure on existing burial facilities. Thus, mass burial is being used in different parts of the world to cope with this unusual situation. As a dead body might be contagious for at least hours, if not days, there is a need to manage/design/construct the mass burial considering the safe handling of coffins and other environmental, social, economical and ethical/dignity aspects. However, the guidelines of the World Health Organization do not thoroughly address the potential risk associated with groundwater pollution due to mass burial construction. Hence, the present study discusses the potential risk of groundwater pollution in mass burial sites and sheds light on the factors that control the survival/retention of bacteria and viruses in porous media. Furthermore, using the available knowledge on designing/monitoring of municipal/industrial waste disposal sites, a cost-effective and simple construction method of mass burial is proposed to mitigate its potential environmental impact.

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Cemeteries as Indicators of Post-Settlement Anthropogenic Soil Degradation on the Atlantic Coastal Plain

Cited by 11 publications

References 19 publications

Environmental damage and public health threat caused by cemeteries: a proposal of ideal cemeteries for the growing urban sprawl

Environmental damage and public health threat caused by cemeteries: a proposal of ideal cemeteries for the growing urban sprawl

‘That this too, too solid flesh would melt…’

Design of mass burial sites for safe and dignified disposal of pandemic fatalities

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