Implosion–demolitions: impact on the local environment in a tropical humid Ramsar site located in southwestern India

Implosion–demolitions are used to bring down tall-storied structures in urban centers. This technique was employed to raze four residential complexes constructed against the law in India’s tropical coastal city (Kochi). The demolitions were carried out in an ecologically fragile area. It is the first of a kind experiment in India and the highest structure to be ever demolished. Our study is also the first detailed report regarding the potential threat from implosion to local biological communities. This study involved analysis of the particulate matter, dustfalls, road dust, and water samples. This study further demonstrates the application of statistical indices (geo-accumulation index, (I geo ), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and potential ecological risk index (PERI)) for effective prediction of environmental impacts due to implosion events. The results indicated an acute impact on local PM 10 concentration, a substantial increase in the metal/metalloid concentration of dust falls, and conductivity and ion concentration of road dust and water samples. The I geo values showed high pollution of dustfalls with Cd and Zn. Similarly, the CF values revealed very high contamination of dustfalls by Zn, Cr, Pb, and Cd. The PLI (1.93) > 1 confirmed the site quality deterioration. Furthermore, the high PERI (1181.78) indicated that the local biological communities were exposed to severe risk.