Suchergebnisse

For many years the marble extraction sector of the Greek mining industry has been in conflict with the public, especially in terms of rehabilitation of marble quarry sites. One of the main reasons for that is that the marble extraction sector has been unable to adjust to the existing legislative guidelines for the rehabilitation, such as extensive backfilling and re-vegetation. In the majority of cases these methods fail due to erosion of the backfill soil and adverse climatic conditions. As a result the number of abandoned marble quarry sites is continuously increasing. The present paper suggests a different approach regarding the rehabilitation of marble quarries. More specifically, the paper questions the applicability, the effectiveness, and the social usefulness of the above-mentioned guidelines and suggests the establishment of new land-uses, which are based on an in-depth analysis of the area's special features, by taking full advantage of its potentials. What is more, the rehabilitation scheme proposes that the new land-uses and the quarrying activity may co-exist and operate simultaneously for a long period of time. © Springer-Verlag 2006.

The existence of tank farms in the vicinity of cities is a principal component of the urban vulnerability and risk conditions. Even if such environments have been accepted in the past, the enforcement of stricter environmental legislations and the emerging of a strong public opposition towards this co-existence, usually result in the relocation of the facilities. Nevertheless, the relocation process has to overcome a great deal of issues, such as high land cost and strong opposition from neighbouring communities, that often hinder or might even postpone the whole project. Answer to such standstill cases can be given by the development of underground complexes that can facilitate the storage requirements, efficiently and with enhanced environmental protection. Hence, the first area that should be considered for the tank farm relocation is found right beneath the existing facilities. This paper presents the Greek experience, paying special attention to the storage facilities found in the Perama area. The development of an underground storage complex is proposed in that particular area, which could finally offer a viable solution, satisfying the interests of all involved parties. The unlined caverns are to be excavated in limestone bedrock and the characteristics of this alternative are illustrated in detail, followed by the comparative cost analysis between the underground scheme and the surface relocation of the tank farm to another area in Attica. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.