As a result of drastic climate change, Australia is experiencing increasingly extreme atmospheric events, including floods, bushfires, and cyclones. These events can sweep away and spread environmental contaminants, such as toxic runoffs, chemical leaks, and ash, which are detrimental to the environment if they accumulate over time. Want to know how governmental bodies can contain environmental contamination caused by extreme weather? In this blog article, we are going to explore how the government contains these contaminants and the tools they use to deal with them.
Contamination in the environment can develop both short-term and long-term effects on health. These contaminants can spread as a result of environmental hazards. But how can extreme weather events lead to the spread of contaminants? Let’s find out.
Understanding the Link Between Extreme Weather and Contamination
In Australia, extreme weather conditions can lead to the spread and accumulation of contaminants. In extreme weather events such as floods and heatwaves, pathogens can be spread through soil and water.
How Floods Spread Industrial and Agricultural Pollutants
Floods can result in industrial runoff and soil erosion. Due to the flood, the pollutants are carried into the floodwaters. Floodwaters carrying agricultural pollutants can trickle into the local water bodies and thereby contaminate the community water source.
There have been multiple incidents of floods in recent times, including the 2021 Eastern Australia flood, the 2022 Brisbane flood, and in the current year, the devastating flood in New South Wales. These kinds of extreme weather events have led to the spread of industrial and agricultural pollutants.
Bushfire Leading to Ash
Bushfires can cause smoke and ash. Ash and debris can spread mainly through the wind embers. Plus, these ashes can contaminate the water sources and the vegetation area.
Cyclone and Storm Increase Sewage Risks
Australia experienced 12 tropical cyclones during the 2024-2025 season. Cyclones can often lead to floods, after which the local water bodies are likely to be contaminated with sewage, chemicals, and other pollutants.
Common Sources of Environmental Contamination During Disasters
During extreme weather events and natural disasters, multiple sources of environmental contamination become active. Here are some common sources of contaminants after a natural disaster in Australia.
Industrial and Chemical Sites
Cyclones and floodwater can sweep pollutants like pesticides and harmful chemicals from industrial and chemical sites, storage tanks, fuel depots, and sewage. These not only affect the ecosystem of the area, but also influence the groundwater and watersheds.
Wastewater & Sewage Systems
It is an essential issue that cyclones and floods cause, which is the issue of the wastewater system. Strong winds in a cyclone can damage systems like septic tanks, aerated systems, and plastic leach drains. Furthermore, overflowing occurs during floods and storms.
Landfills and Waste Dumps
During 2022-23, Australia generated 2.88 tonnes (t) of waste per capita. Most of this waste is distributed into landfills and waste dumps, which can become an active source of contamination. After a bushfire or flood, this waste either transforms into ash or mixes into the wastewater, which can contaminate natural water sources and influence public health.
Containment Strategies for Governments
The Australian government can focus on creating separate containment strategies for environmental contaminants. A dynamic mechanism can be planned even before the disaster hits. Here are some containment strategies that can be undertaken by Australian governments to contain environmental contaminants caused by natural hazards.
Pre-Disaster Planning
The Australian government can develop a plan by identifying the areas which is at risk of industrial and agricultural contamination. This containment of contamination of the environment can limit the spread of the contaminants released from these areas.
It can also be suggested to plan for a stable waste storage site, which is generated after natural disasters. The waste storage needs to be made sturdy so the wastewater does not seep contaminated fluid.
Emergency Response During Events
The common response after an emergency event should be deployed as quickly as possible. The environmental contaminants, like sewage and runoff, can spread very quickly. Therefore, considering the consequences of the environmental hazards, it is essential to be involved in rapid response activities such as separating hazardous materials, flood protection, and deployment of spill containment units.
These rapid response teams need to coordinate with the environmental agencies, disaster management forces, and local councils.
Post-Disaster Remediation
It is essential to conduct an assessment of soil and water bodies for potential contamination after natural disasters. Furthermore, it is also essential for the environment to collect hazardous waste and dispose of it safely.
If there are still traces of contaminants in the soil, air, or local bodies, the local community needs to be informed transparently.
Tools and Technologies Governments Can Leverage
In a drastically changing environment, natural disasters are becoming more unpredictable. To protect public health and reduce the spread of contaminants, governments can use several tools and technologies that can help reduce the scope of environmental contamination after catastrophic natural events.
Here are different tools and technologies that governments can use to identify potential risks of natural hazards.
Geographic Information Systems
GIS (Geographical Information System) is a computer-operated technology that is designed to capture and analyze geographic data in an area. Analyzing these geographic data, GIS can predict the occurrence and intensity of the disaster events. When there is a chance of extreme weather events, it can predict how the geographical area will be affected.
Remote Sensing
Remote sensing is another modern technology that can monitor the physical characteristics of an area from a remote position. This technology is highly efficient in predicting and monitoring natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods.
Drones and UAVs
After a natural disaster strikes, drones and UAVs are increasingly deployed for quicker response. Camera-attached UAVs can help in the faster scanning of a wider area and areas where conditions are inaccessible. Plus, UAVs can also substantially collect data to assess the scale and intensity of the natural disaster by mapping affected structures and the flow of debris.
Here is a comparative table of different extreme weather conditions and recommended containment strategies.
| Extreme Weather Event | Flood | Bushfires | Cyclones and Storm Surges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Contamination Risks |
|
|
|
| Examples in Australia | Agricultural fertiliser & pesticide runoff in 2022 happened during QLD & NSW floods (toxic runoff leaked in Brisbane River | Airborne particle pollution observed during the 2019-20 Black Summer Bushfires, which impacted Sydney’s drinking water sources | The sewage system failed due to heavy rain during Cyclone Yasi (2011) |
| Recommended Containment Strategies |
|
|
|
Table 1: Different Types of Environmental Disasters and How the Recommended Contaminant Containment Strategy
Wrapping Up
Extreme weather conditions also mean increased contamination risk in Australia, as environmental contaminants can spread with flood, bushfire, and cyclone surges. To protect the environment and people, the Australian government needs to take care of the prevention, response, and recovery phases. With proactive planning, the government can reduce health risks caused by contaminants and can save the environment from damage.
Partner With Environmental Assessment Experts to Prepare for Disaster!
Want to protect the environment from harmful contaminants? Consider taking the opinion from the environmental assessment experts as part of the disaster prevention plan to remain prepared for upcoming environmental hazards.
