A methodology to estimate seismic vulnerability of health facilities. Case study: Mexico City,Mexico

We developed a model to estimate seismic vulnerability of health facilities in Mexico City, Mexico, following these steps: (1) designing a theoretical framework (TF) to measure structural, non-structural, functional, and administrative-organizational vulnerabilities; (2) measurement of the vulnerability conditions of the analyzed facility by using the TF; and (3) estimation of the hospital’s seismic vulnerability by comparing the measured vulnerability to the TF’s vulnerability indicators by taking into account the optimal case. The TF was developed considering a scoring system and international standards for risk management in hospitals. The methodology establishes the degree of vulnerability of the analyzed institution as well as its interrelations with external infrastructure systems. This tool also identifies existing failures to estimate expected damage. The methodology was applied to the National Cardiology Hospital, the Children’s Hospital “Dr. Federico Gómez,” and the “Hospital de Jesus” of Mexico City. The vulnerability problems in these three hospitals are common within them, and some of the main causes of vulnerability found are: (1) the lack of technology to resistant seismic shaking; (2) the need to develop or update disaster response plans; (3) the need of periodic and proper maintenance to hospitals’ buildings; (4) the lack of sufficient financial resources for vulnerability reduction projects and autonomous operations of the hospital during 3–5 days after a disaster occurs. We believe that vulnerability in these health facilities can be reduced with low-cost procedures and that the methodology developed here will support the decision-making processes to reduce seismic risk in Mexico City.     

Retrospective health impact assessment for ozone pollution in Mexico City from 1991 to 2011

Air pollution is the main environmental issue in Mexico City, where ozone is one of the most damaging pollutants for human health. In this work we present a retrospective health impact assessment (HIA) study split up by age groups for evaluating the benefits of ozone regulatory strategies from 1991 to 2011 in Mexico City. Since people move from one place to another during the day, which may affect their potential exposure to pollutants, we consider time-dependant spatial population distributions during the day. Ozone data is made up of observations taken with hourly frequency from January 1, 1991 to December 31, 2011, at approximately 22 stations of the monitoring network of Mexico City. Interpolated values for unknown locations are also taken into account in the HIA. The Cressman objective analysis method is applied for interpolating the observed ozone concentrations from monitoring stations to grids of convenient resolution. We demonstrate that different age groups present different spatial patterns of exposure, being the working-age people (between 18 and 64 years) the most benefited. We also confirm the hypothesis that, in general, people move to less polluted regions during the day.     

The Basin of Mexico aquifer system: regional groundwater level dynamics and database development

The aquifer system of the Basin of Mexico is the main source of water supply to the Mexico City Metropolitan Zone. Management of the Basin’s water resources requires improved understanding of regional groundwater flow patterns, for which large amounts of data are required. The current study analyses the regional dynamics of the potentiometric groundwater level using a new database called the Basin of Mexico Hydrogeological Database (BMHDB). To foster the development of a regional view of the aquifer system, data on climatological, borehole and runoff variables are part of the BMHDB. The structure and development of the BMHDB are briefly explained and then the database is used to analyze the consequences of groundwater extraction on the aquifer’s confinement conditions using lithology data. The regional analysis shows that the largest drawdown rates are located north of Mexico City, in Ecatepec (a region that has not yet received attention in hydrogeological studies), due to wells that were drilled as a temporary solution to Mexico City’s water-supply problem. It is evident that the aquifer has changed from a confined to an unconfined condition in some areas, a factor that is responsible for the large subsidence rates (40 cm/year) in some regions.     

Seismic wave attenuation during the 19 September 1985 Michoacan,Mexico earthquake

Summary The severity of damage to Mexico City as a result of the 19 September 1985 Michoacan earthquake was unusual given the City's distance (350 km) from the zone of seismic energy release. To explain the damage many authors have suggested that unusual source or transmission path characteristics contributed to enhanced ground motion in Mexico City. The purpose of this paper is to present a summary of results obtained from data recorded during the earthquake related to possible anomalous transmission path characteristics.It is concluded that in every respect this earthquake conformed to the norms set by previous subduction zone earthquakes within the Middle American trench. It appears likely that conditions within the Valley of Mexico are adequate to explain the unusually severe ground shaking without invoking unusual source or transmission characteristics.     

Intra-city migration to squatter settlements in Mexico City

The paper describes spatially the zonal movements of residents to three squatter settlements established at different time periods in Mexico City. In addition, moves are related to the dynamics of the low income housing system and previous theories of intra-city squatter migration behaviour are evaluated. The data corroborate the concept that the traditionally accepted pattern of centre to periphery, tenement to squatter settlement movements has altered. Direct movement into the periphery on the part of incoming migrants is increasingly important, and older established squatter areas are the most important suppliers of population in recent invasions. The implications for the distribution and structure of housing opportunities for future low-income populations in Mexico City are discussed.     

PCBs and PAHs in surficial sediments from aquatic environments of Mexico City and the coastal states of Sonora,Sinaloa, Oaxaca and Veracruz (Mexico)

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in 13 surficial sediment samples collected at three lacustrine locations in the surroundings of Mexico City and four coastal areas of the States of Sinaloa, Sonora, Oaxaca and Veracruz. Total PCB concentrations span the interval 3.18–621 ng g⁻¹. The highest values (63.7–621 ng g⁻¹) were found in Mexico City, which is a highly anthropogenically impacted area, whereas low concentrations (3.18–12.9 ng g⁻¹) were characteristic of seven places, some of them subject to intense hydrodynamics. In these latter cases, values increase by 18–73 times if normalised against the fine fraction (silt plus clay) content in sediment. Two samples from Mexico City exceed the ERM (Effect Range Median) guidelines and are likely to cause adverse effects. Samples contain only lower chlorinated PCBs (mainly 2-, 3- and 4-CB), thus suggesting that the most used PCB commercial mixture was Aroclor 1242. The homologue composition of the sample taken close to the nuclear power plant of Laguna Verde is identical to this commercial mixture. PAHs in the same samples have relatively low concentrations (14.9–287 ng g⁻¹), well below ERL (Effect Range Low) guidelines. The composition of PAH mixtures accounts for the influence of both petrogenic and pyrolitic sources, with these latter prevailing at some places in Mexico City.     

Seismic response of the Mexico City Basin: A review of twenty years of research

Mexico City, political and economic center of Mexico, was founded in a lake, at more than 2000 m above sea level. The lacustrine mud under the downtown area is associated with high seismic risk. Twenty years after the destructive 1985 earthquake (Ms = 8.1) we review published research on seismic response in the Mexico Basin, especially seismic and microtremor studies on soft ground and the influence of the seismic response of lake mud on damage.     

A review on advances in seismology in Mexico after 30 years from the 1985 earthquake

The 19 September 1985 (M_w8.1) earthquake, located on the Michoacán coast, Mexico, generated great damage in Mexico City, more than 300 km away from the epicentral area. Other important cities near the coast and in central Mexico also suffered severe damage. Thirty years after this important event, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja California (CICESE) and other institutions organized a conference to discuss the scientific advances, particularly in seismology, that had taken place in Mexico since then.     

Traffic-related platinum group elements (PGE) in soils from Mexico City

The first evaluation of the distribution of platinum group elements (PGE) derived from automobile catalytic converters in urban soil samples in Mexico City was carried out. There are more than four millions cars in Mexico City and, at the present time, one third of them have catalytic converters. PGE concentrations in soils exposed to high traffic densities exceed the natural background values by upto two orders of magnitude and are directly influenced by traffic conditions. The highest concentrations of Pt, Pd and Rh in the analyzed samples are about 300, 70 and 40 μg/l, respectively. Although the PGE concentrations found in soil samples are relatively low, they represent an accumulation of only 10 yr. It is likely that the use of catalytic converters will dramatically change the distribution of these metals in the urban environment in the next decades.     

Subsoil zoning of Mexico City using qualitative relationships between soil strength and electrical resistivity

Summary The seismic events occurring on 19 and 20 September 1985, whose epicentre was located in the coastal region of Michoacan, Mexico, produced tremendous damage in Mexico City. As a result of these losses the civil authorities of the city decided to study and evaluate the mechanical characteristics of the subsoil. To achieve this, it was necessary to drill several boreholes to obtain needed geophysical and geotechnical information. The geophysical method of electrical resistivity was the most appropriate to the research. This method enabled us to understand the structure and soil characteristics of the Mexican Valley.     

Metropolitan growth and labor markets in Mexico

The objective of this paper is to examine the main changes in the metropolitan labor markets associated with economic restructuring in Mexico during the late 1980s and beginning of the 1990s. The analysis refers particularly to the four largest metropoles of the country, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey and Puebla, looking for common characteristics in their emergent employment structures now strongly differentiated in terms of rewards, stability in employment relations and conditions of access to jobs. The analysis reveals that largest metropolitan areas have been the most profoundly affected by the economic restructuring resulting from globalization, through a rapid de-industrialization and the expansion of the tertiary sector. Metropolitan labor markets in Mexico, at the time that show signs of social polarization in the formal sector, put in evidence a general process of precarization – less labor stability, replacement of permanent by part-time jobs, and increasing subcontracting –, segmentation of the labor force, and an increasing informal conditions of economic activities with small businesses and unskilled, temporarly and poorly paid jobs. The labor force segmentation and its more precarious and casual conditions are mostly explained by the impact of recent neoliberal policies, and recurrent economic crisis during the 1980s and 1990s which highly contributes to social inequality.     

The Basin of Mexico and its metropolitan area: water abstraction and related environmental problems

The Basin of Mexico is a closed basin of lacustrine character, with an average elevation of 2200 m above sea level. The watershed covers a vast extension in five states. Mexico City and its metropolitan area are located within this basin. The aquifer system is the main source of water supply for more than 20 million people. Water consumption is about 60 m³/s. The aquifer supplies about 43 m³/s from around 1000 wells at 70–200 m depth. Pumping policies have generated subsidence and degradation of the ground water quality in the Basin of Mexico The lacustrian clay layers play an important role in the local hydrogeology, protecting the aquifer from pollution, but the transition and piedmont areas are highly vulnerable to surface pollutants.     

The study of metal contamination in urban topsoils of Mexico City using GIS

This research presents and discusses information concerning the spatial distribution of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Ba, Co, Cr, Ni and V) in the urban environments of Mexico City using geographical information system and statistical analysis. Superficial soil samples (n = 146) were analyzed. The highest contamination indices were found in the north and center zone of the metropolitan area. In contrast, the surrounding rural fields show a lower impact grade. The higher concentrations of Pb, Cu, Zn and Ba were observed as being related to high vehicular traffic, nevertheless other elements such as Co, Cr, Ni and V do not show anthropogenic influence and their content can be attributed to the parental rock. The results are compared with previous surveys carried out in 2003 in order to evaluate temporal deposition trends. No changes were found on reported concentrations except for Cu and Zn, whose concentration has increased in later years. The results suggest that spatial distribution analysis and results in comparison with previous studies could be useful for the management and sustainable development of the metropolitan area of Mexico City.     

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in urban topsoils from the metropolitan area of Mexico City

This study reports the degree of heavy metal pollution (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and V) in 135 urban topsoil samples from the metropolitan area of Mexico City. Pollution indices (PI) were calculated to identify the metal accumulation with respect to the background values. The levels of heavy metals in the analyzed samples show a wide range of variation. Lead, Zn and Cu are the elements most enriched in the analyzed area, presenting pollution indexes of up to 23.8, 21.6 and 12.4, respectively. Geochemical maps were produced to assess the spatial distribution of pollution index. It is concluded that emissions from vehicles may be the major source of Pb urban contamination; furthermore, other small or large factories are possible sources for soil pollution (Cu, Zn). The concentration of Cr, Ni, and V in most of the analyzed samples do not appear to reach pollution levels. The assessment of the soil environmental quality in the metropolitan area Mexico City in terms of PI can be used as the basis for a regular monitoring program for implementing suitable pollution control measures.     

Flows,system boundaries and the politics of urban metabolism: Waste management in Mexico City and Santiago de Chile

In this paper we examine two central concepts of urban metabolism (‘system boundaries’ and ‘flows’), and explore how to approach them as a means to politicise urban metabolism research. We present empirical findings from two case studies of waste management, in Mexico City and Santiago de Chile, looking at: the materiality of waste flows, the actors involved in them, and how waste flows relate to issues of environmental justice. We argue that urban metabolism, as a methodology to understand urban sustainability, has the potential to produce knowledge to trigger urban transformations, and to analyse the social, political and environmental aspects of waste management in urban areas.     

Construction of deep tunnel shafts in Mexico city soft clays by the flotation method

The drainage system of Mexico City, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, is formed by a large network of interceptors and collectors leading to the main outlet: a 49.3-km-long tunnel with a 6.5 m diameter. To build the access shafts to the tunnels of the system and the deep sumps of the pumping stations in the very soft clays of the lacustrine area of Mexico valley, a technique known as “flotation method” has been commonly used since 1969. The paper presents the main construction steps followed and some aspects of the analysis and design of shafts constructed by this technique. The experience gained obtained after more than 30 shafts have been constructed by this method, and the actual trends in its application are also discussed.     

Nitrogen dioxide DOAS measurements from ground and space: comparison of zenith scattered sunlight ground-based measurements and OMI data in Central Mexico

The use of satellite data in combination with ground-based measurements can provide valuable information about atmospheric chemistry and air quality. In this study, ground-based Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) measurements of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) conducted in central Mexico are compared with the space-borne Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) dataset of 2006-2011. Ground-based measurements exhibited large day-to-day variations and were on average three times higher than the space-borne derived average over the observation site. This difference is attributed to strong horizontal inhomogeneity of the lower layer of the measured NO₂ columns, sampled over a large footprint from the satellite instrument. Also, a reduced sensitivity of the satellite observation near the surface, where the largest concentrations are expected, could be responsible for this large discrepancy. From the analyzed OMI dataset, distribution maps of NO₂ above central Mexico were reconstructed, allowing to identify three main areas with increased NO₂ column densities: The dominating metropolitan area of Mexico City, the heavily industrialized region of Tula to the north and the Cuernavaca valley to the south. In this analysis, seasonal variability of NO₂ columns over central Mexico was detected, finding higher NO₂ columns during the dry and cold season, followed by the dry and warm period, and finally the lowest NO₂ columns were found during the rainy season. Pollution transport of this gas from Tula into Mexico City, as well as towards the Cuernavaca valley, is evident from this dataset.     

Observations of the performance of buildings during the 1985 Mexico earthquake,and structural design implications

Summary The high amplification of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake is explained by the large number of strong and nearly continuous cycles of 2 s period motion lasting for more than 30 s. The type of damage caused by the earthquake—particularly to engineered multi-storey buildings of high flexibility is described, and methods of adding damping and stiffness elements to reduce and resist earthquake demand forces are discussed.     

Organizational response to the Mexico City earthquake of 1985: Characteristics and implications

A study involving a collaborative effort between American and Mexican social scientists was made of the individual and organizational response to the 1985 earthquake in Mexico City. Our general findings only about the activities of organizations are summarized under five general themes: (1) the massive and complex organizational response was decentralized, (2) resources for organizational actions were not problematical but there were difficulties in their quick and effective use, (3) the dominant organizational behavior was emergent rather than traditional, (4) organizational personnel carried out their work and occupational roles, and (5) there was changes in disaster planning of organizations as a result of the disaster. Both practical and theoretical implications of our research findings are noted.The findings summurized in this article are drawn from a very detailed and extensive report on the disaster by Russel R. Dynes, E. L. Quarantelli, and Dennis Wenger,Individual and Organizational Response to the 1985 Earthquake in Mexico City, issued in 1990 by the Disaster Research Center atThe findings summurized in this article are drawn from a very detailed and extensive report on the disaster by Russel R. Dynes, E. L. Quarantelli, and Dennis Wenger,Individual and Organizational Response to the 1985 Earthquake in Mexico City, issued in 1990 by the Disaster Research Center at     

Geologic structure and groundwater flow in the Pachuca–Zumpango sub-basin,central Mexico

This paper is a hydrogeologic characterisation of the Pachuca-Zumpango sub-basin in Central Mexico, mainly concerned with the shallow geologic structure of the region and its implications in groundwater flow. The structure is interpreted as a series of graben structures limited by normal faults of metrical surface displacement. The graben are filled by a sequence of approximately 2,000 m alluvial and pyroclastic material and lava flows. An upper-aquifer that consists of Quaternary-Tertiary lava flows and clastic material is intensively used to obtain water for municipal supply. Abstraction was carried out with no control or management policy and resulted in severe environmental impacts. Numerical modelling simulation scenarios with continuous increments in the abstraction rate of 0.660 m³/s in 5-year periods between 2000 and 2020 predict an overall increase in depth to potentiometric surface of 15 m (0.80 m/year). Soil consolidation computation in terms of calculated drawdown values was not an objective in this study; however, lowering of the potentiometric surface will eventually control soil subsidence, as observed elsewhere in Mexico City.