Life Cycle Environmental Impact Modeling in Large Marine Infrastructure Based on Adaptive Management Strategies
Keywords:
Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Impact Modeling, Marine Infrastructure, Adaptive Management, Sustainability PerformanceAbstract
The objective of this study was to develop and validate a comprehensive model of life cycle environmental impacts in large marine infrastructure projects based on adaptive management strategies. This applied study employed a mixed-methods research design integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches. In the qualitative phase, relevant environmental impact dimensions and adaptive management indicators were identified through a comprehensive literature review and semi-structured interviews with 20 experts in marine engineering, environmental management, sustainability assessment, and offshore infrastructure development. Thematic analysis was used to extract the principal constructs and establish the preliminary conceptual framework. In the quantitative phase, data were collected from 384 specialists and professionals working in marine infrastructure, environmental management, and related sectors in Tehran, Iran. A researcher-developed questionnaire was designed based on findings from the qualitative phase and assessed dimensions including life cycle environmental impacts, ecosystem vulnerability assessment, resource utilization efficiency, pollution and emission management, environmental monitoring systems, stakeholder participation, adaptive management strategies, and sustainability performance. Construct validity was examined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, while reliability was assessed through Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability coefficients. Structural equation modeling was conducted using SPSS 28 and AMOS 26 to evaluate the proposed relationships among study variables. The findings demonstrated satisfactory validity and reliability for all measurement constructs, with factor loadings exceeding recommended thresholds and strong internal consistency coefficients. Structural equation modeling revealed that all environmental assessment dimensions significantly and positively influenced adaptive management strategies. Environmental monitoring systems exerted the strongest effect on adaptive management strategies (β = 0.49, p < 0.001), followed by life cycle environmental impacts (β = 0.41, p < 0.001), pollution and emission management (β = 0.36, p < 0.001), ecosystem vulnerability assessment (β = 0.33, p < 0.001), stakeholder participation (β = 0.29, p < 0.001), and resource utilization efficiency (β = 0.27, p < 0.001). Furthermore, adaptive management strategies demonstrated a strong positive effect on sustainability performance (β = 0.68, p < 0.001). The overall structural model exhibited excellent fit indices (χ²/df = 2.14, CFI = 0.958, TLI = 0.951, IFI = 0.959, GFI = 0.928, RMSEA = 0.054), confirming the adequacy of the proposed framework. The results indicate that adaptive management strategies serve as a critical mechanism linking environmental assessment processes to sustainability outcomes in large marine infrastructure projects.
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