Environmental aspects of remote sensing for the classification of asbestos industry impact on the landscape changes in Cyprus

The Industrial Revolution led to the commercial exploitation of asbestos in Cyprus. Cyprus has the second largest asbestos deposits in Europe, after Italy. Even though most of the extracted asbestos was exported, Cyprus had two operational asbestos manufacturing plants. Production increased steadily...

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Main Authors: E. Wilk, M. Krówczyńska, B. Zagajewski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2024-11-01
Series:The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
Online Access:https://isprs-archives.copernicus.org/articles/XLVIII-3-2024/589/2024/isprs-archives-XLVIII-3-2024-589-2024.pdf
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author E. Wilk
M. Krówczyńska
B. Zagajewski
author_facet E. Wilk
M. Krówczyńska
B. Zagajewski
author_sort E. Wilk
collection DOAJ
description The Industrial Revolution led to the commercial exploitation of asbestos in Cyprus. Cyprus has the second largest asbestos deposits in Europe, after Italy. Even though most of the extracted asbestos was exported, Cyprus had two operational asbestos manufacturing plants. Production increased steadily until 1980, with mining activities ending in 1988. These activities have left a significant mark on the environment. The key example of post-asbestos landscape in Cyprus is the opencast mine at Amiandos in the Limassol District, where large amounts of asbestos were mined. This has had a considerable impact on the natural environment and land use including the disposal of asbestos residues and asbestos-cement waste. Temporal analysis of land use changes from 1963 to 2014 reveals shifts in exploitation areas and vegetation cover. Though challenges persist, including asbestos-containing waste, efforts to restore vegetation in the mine area are evident. The evolution from sparse and undeveloped vegetation to a lush and diverse ecosystem is important for restoring ecological balance and restoring habitats for local fauna and flora. This research provides critical insights into the historical context, environmental impacts, and remediation efforts related to asbestos mining in Cyprus.
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series The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
spelling doaj-art-601fce4b44c443f6a3099475914d307e2024-11-08T10:01:52ZengCopernicus PublicationsThe International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences1682-17502194-90342024-11-01XLVIII-3-202458959410.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-3-2024-589-2024Environmental aspects of remote sensing for the classification of asbestos industry impact on the landscape changes in CyprusE. Wilk0M. Krówczyńska1B. Zagajewski2Department of Geoinformatics, Cartography and Remote Sensing, Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies, University of Warsaw, 00-927 Warsaw, Krakowskie Przedmiescie 26/28, PolandDepartment of Geoinformatics, Cartography and Remote Sensing, Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies, University of Warsaw, 00-927 Warsaw, Krakowskie Przedmiescie 26/28, PolandDepartment of Geoinformatics, Cartography and Remote Sensing, Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies, University of Warsaw, 00-927 Warsaw, Krakowskie Przedmiescie 26/28, PolandThe Industrial Revolution led to the commercial exploitation of asbestos in Cyprus. Cyprus has the second largest asbestos deposits in Europe, after Italy. Even though most of the extracted asbestos was exported, Cyprus had two operational asbestos manufacturing plants. Production increased steadily until 1980, with mining activities ending in 1988. These activities have left a significant mark on the environment. The key example of post-asbestos landscape in Cyprus is the opencast mine at Amiandos in the Limassol District, where large amounts of asbestos were mined. This has had a considerable impact on the natural environment and land use including the disposal of asbestos residues and asbestos-cement waste. Temporal analysis of land use changes from 1963 to 2014 reveals shifts in exploitation areas and vegetation cover. Though challenges persist, including asbestos-containing waste, efforts to restore vegetation in the mine area are evident. The evolution from sparse and undeveloped vegetation to a lush and diverse ecosystem is important for restoring ecological balance and restoring habitats for local fauna and flora. This research provides critical insights into the historical context, environmental impacts, and remediation efforts related to asbestos mining in Cyprus.https://isprs-archives.copernicus.org/articles/XLVIII-3-2024/589/2024/isprs-archives-XLVIII-3-2024-589-2024.pdf
spellingShingle E. Wilk
M. Krówczyńska
B. Zagajewski
Environmental aspects of remote sensing for the classification of asbestos industry impact on the landscape changes in Cyprus
The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
title Environmental aspects of remote sensing for the classification of asbestos industry impact on the landscape changes in Cyprus
title_full Environmental aspects of remote sensing for the classification of asbestos industry impact on the landscape changes in Cyprus
title_fullStr Environmental aspects of remote sensing for the classification of asbestos industry impact on the landscape changes in Cyprus
title_full_unstemmed Environmental aspects of remote sensing for the classification of asbestos industry impact on the landscape changes in Cyprus
title_short Environmental aspects of remote sensing for the classification of asbestos industry impact on the landscape changes in Cyprus
title_sort environmental aspects of remote sensing for the classification of asbestos industry impact on the landscape changes in cyprus
url https://isprs-archives.copernicus.org/articles/XLVIII-3-2024/589/2024/isprs-archives-XLVIII-3-2024-589-2024.pdf
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AT mkrowczynska environmentalaspectsofremotesensingfortheclassificationofasbestosindustryimpactonthelandscapechangesincyprus
AT bzagajewski environmentalaspectsofremotesensingfortheclassificationofasbestosindustryimpactonthelandscapechangesincyprus