Do Cemeteries Impact on the Environment

Do Cemeteries Impact on the Environment?

The question of how cemeteries impact on the environment will be answered for the first time as part of unique research being conducted by Boyd Dent, a PhD researcher at UTS.

The study is the world's first comprehensive analysis of hydrogeochemistry and microbiological attributes for cemetery groundwaters. Mr Dent is actively working on nine cemetery and crematoria sites in most Australian states.

The study is the world's first comprehensive analysis of hydrochemistry and microbiological attributes for cemetery groundwaters. Mr Dent is actively working on nine cemetery and crematoria sites in most Australian states.

Mr Dent is examining the unanswered questions: do cemeteries pollute?; what is the general nature of cemetery groundwater?; can Australia's overcrowded cemeteries be re-used?; and what possible environmental and health effects could occur from human decomposition?

"This research has already confirmed that decaying human remains do produce a traceable plume of decay chemicals, including nitrate and phosphate," he said.

"While my research topic was out of the ordinary, it was important to the Australian environment. Cemeteries are major land users and a significant feature of landscapes," he said.

"This research examines groundwater and surface waters within and leaving cemetery boundaries, mobilised decay products from human interments, how different funeral and cultural practices interact with groundwater and soil, and earth science-related operational aspects of cemetery practice."

The research began in June last year and is expected to take about three years to complete, with preliminary results available in 18 months.

"The sites chosen represent a substantial population concentration of this country, so it is expected they will represent a diverse range of cultural, religious and other practices in the burial of the deceased," Mr Dent said.

"These practices all have an effect on the cemetery groundwater and environment. For example, it is likely there will be differences in decay material between someone who has been buried in an elaborate coffin with jewellery, and another person who may be buried in a simple coffin with plain clothing."

"Some variation in climatic and environmental factors between regions and states is also relevant to this study. In particular, the movement of decay products could reflect the rainfall pattern in some areas. Such information might influence cemetery management practices," he said.

Ref:

UTS Newsletter, 1997, Do cemeteries pollute the environment, Anchor, October (Issue 1091), p.6