Validation of empirical equations for determining the suitability of the territory for the setting of cemeteries – Implications for worldwide application

The final disposal of corpses is one of the activities that generates the greatest pollution. Chemicals, embalming fluids, greenhouse gas emissions, and other factors trigger contamination of soils and water sources in towns near cemeteries. This study aimed to validate empirical environmental equat...

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Main Authors: Miguel Falconí-Vélez, Tania Crisanto-Perrazo, Wendy Cachaguay Viracucha, Silvana Suntaxi Pachacama, Jonathan Guayasamín-Vergara, Arianna García-Bazurto, Theofilos Toulkeridis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Heliyon
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024166704
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author Miguel Falconí-Vélez
Tania Crisanto-Perrazo
Wendy Cachaguay Viracucha
Silvana Suntaxi Pachacama
Jonathan Guayasamín-Vergara
Arianna García-Bazurto
Theofilos Toulkeridis
author_facet Miguel Falconí-Vélez
Tania Crisanto-Perrazo
Wendy Cachaguay Viracucha
Silvana Suntaxi Pachacama
Jonathan Guayasamín-Vergara
Arianna García-Bazurto
Theofilos Toulkeridis
author_sort Miguel Falconí-Vélez
collection DOAJ
description The final disposal of corpses is one of the activities that generates the greatest pollution. Chemicals, embalming fluids, greenhouse gas emissions, and other factors trigger contamination of soils and water sources in towns near cemeteries. This study aimed to validate empirical environmental equations to determine the suitability of territories for cemetery location in several cantons of Central Ecuador, address study variables measured in the field, and update the bibliography as a rapid decision-making tool for decentralized governments. To achieve this objective, we used various determined variables, such as the phreatic level and slope in the field, and evaluated other variables and values, including the distance to water sources, precipitation, soil type, cemetery age, temperature, number of graves, geological faults, and population density, for 15 cemeteries. The resulting values were used in 135 equations to determine the territorial suitability of the cemetery locations. The outcomes allowed the equations to be segmented into three groups: those that coincided with the initial theoretical category assigned to the reference studies; those that had a higher or lower category than the original studies; and those that did not coincide with the original studies. Despite their limitations, the equations developed in this study may provide a fast and inexpensive solution to define the construction setting of cemeteries worldwide. Furthermore, the results can be used for norms and standards in local territorial planning plans while using strict initial categorization controls.
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spelling doaj-art-972fe23649ad4ba097ed3e38b7d2d68d2024-12-19T10:55:52ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402024-12-011024e40639Validation of empirical equations for determining the suitability of the territory for the setting of cemeteries – Implications for worldwide applicationMiguel Falconí-Vélez0Tania Crisanto-Perrazo1Wendy Cachaguay Viracucha2Silvana Suntaxi Pachacama3Jonathan Guayasamín-Vergara4Arianna García-Bazurto5Theofilos Toulkeridis6Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra y la Construcción, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas, Av. General Rumiñahui S/N y Ambato, 171103, Sangolquí, Ecuador; Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Avenida José María Urbina, Portoviejo, EC130105, Manabí, EcuadorDepartamento de Ciencias de la Tierra y la Construcción, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas, Av. General Rumiñahui S/N y Ambato, 171103, Sangolquí, Ecuador; Corresponding author.Facultad de Ingeniería Civil y Ambiental, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Av. Ladrón de Guevara E11-253, 170525, Quito, EcuadorFacultad de Ingeniería Civil y Ambiental, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Av. Ladrón de Guevara E11-253, 170525, Quito, EcuadorUniversidad Internacional Iberoamérica de México, Calle 15 num. 36, entre 10 y 12, CP 24560, Campeche, MexicoInvestigadora Independiente, Avenida Uruguay, Portoviejo, EC130116, Manabí, EcuadorSchool of Geology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece; Corresponding author.The final disposal of corpses is one of the activities that generates the greatest pollution. Chemicals, embalming fluids, greenhouse gas emissions, and other factors trigger contamination of soils and water sources in towns near cemeteries. This study aimed to validate empirical environmental equations to determine the suitability of territories for cemetery location in several cantons of Central Ecuador, address study variables measured in the field, and update the bibliography as a rapid decision-making tool for decentralized governments. To achieve this objective, we used various determined variables, such as the phreatic level and slope in the field, and evaluated other variables and values, including the distance to water sources, precipitation, soil type, cemetery age, temperature, number of graves, geological faults, and population density, for 15 cemeteries. The resulting values were used in 135 equations to determine the territorial suitability of the cemetery locations. The outcomes allowed the equations to be segmented into three groups: those that coincided with the initial theoretical category assigned to the reference studies; those that had a higher or lower category than the original studies; and those that did not coincide with the original studies. Despite their limitations, the equations developed in this study may provide a fast and inexpensive solution to define the construction setting of cemeteries worldwide. Furthermore, the results can be used for norms and standards in local territorial planning plans while using strict initial categorization controls.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024166704Environment equationsEnvironment suitabilityEnvironmental pollutionTerritorial planningLand use
spellingShingle Miguel Falconí-Vélez
Tania Crisanto-Perrazo
Wendy Cachaguay Viracucha
Silvana Suntaxi Pachacama
Jonathan Guayasamín-Vergara
Arianna García-Bazurto
Theofilos Toulkeridis
Validation of empirical equations for determining the suitability of the territory for the setting of cemeteries – Implications for worldwide application
Heliyon
Environment equations
Environment suitability
Environmental pollution
Territorial planning
Land use
title Validation of empirical equations for determining the suitability of the territory for the setting of cemeteries – Implications for worldwide application
title_full Validation of empirical equations for determining the suitability of the territory for the setting of cemeteries – Implications for worldwide application
title_fullStr Validation of empirical equations for determining the suitability of the territory for the setting of cemeteries – Implications for worldwide application
title_full_unstemmed Validation of empirical equations for determining the suitability of the territory for the setting of cemeteries – Implications for worldwide application
title_short Validation of empirical equations for determining the suitability of the territory for the setting of cemeteries – Implications for worldwide application
title_sort validation of empirical equations for determining the suitability of the territory for the setting of cemeteries implications for worldwide application
topic Environment equations
Environment suitability
Environmental pollution
Territorial planning
Land use
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024166704
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