01
Soil and groundwater
Fuel leaks from diesel storage for backup generators
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
SignaNatura Research
Environmental impacts of data centres
130 topics for screening, research and emerging signals
▤ 130 screening topics. Not all represent proven environmental harm.♧ Preliminary risk screening
02
Soil and groundwater
Diesel spills during refuelling
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
03
04
Soil and groundwater
Release of glycol-containing fluids into soil or water
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
05
Soil and groundwater
Electrolyte leaks from battery systems
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
06
Soil and groundwater
Harmful substances spread by firefighting runoff
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
07
Soil and groundwater
Soil contamination during construction
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
08
Soil and groundwater
Changes to groundwater flow paths caused by construction
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
09
Soil and groundwater
Lowering of groundwater levels due to water abstraction or construction
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
10
Soil and groundwater
Oils, metals and other pollutants carried by stormwater
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
11
Soil and groundwater
Soil compaction and reduced natural infiltration
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
12
Soil and groundwater
Deterioration of groundwater quality following accidents
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
13
Soil and groundwater
Soil erosion during construction
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
14
Soil and groundwater
Spread of pre-existing soil contamination during excavation
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
15
Water resources
High water demand in water-cooled systems
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
16
Water resources
Pressure on local water resources
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
17
Water resources
Thermal pollution of lakes and rivers
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
18
Water resources
Changes in aquatic habitats due to rising water temperatures
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
19
Water resources
Deterioration of fish spawning conditions
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
20
Water resources
Changes in dissolved oxygen due to thermal pollution
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
21
Water resources
Changes to ice conditions in water bodies
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
22
Water resources
Discharge of cooling-water treatment chemicals
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
23
Water resources
Environmental risks from biocides used in water treatment
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
24
Water resources
Local chemical loading of water bodies
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
25
Water resources
Changes to water-flow conditions
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
26
Water resources
Aquatic organisms drawn into water intake systems
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
27
Water resources
Suspended solids transported by stormwater
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
28
Water resources
Water turbidity caused by construction
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
29
Water resources
Potential increase in eutrophication
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
30
Water resources
Reduced water availability for other users
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
31
Air and climate
Nitrogen oxide emissions from backup generators
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
32
Air and climate
Particulate emissions from diesel generators
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
33
Air and climate
Carbon dioxide emissions from backup power
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
34
Air and climate
Carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions from generators
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
35
36
Air and climate
Exhaust emissions from construction machinery
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
37
Air and climate
Dust emissions from construction work
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
38
Air and climate
Indirect greenhouse-gas emissions from electricity generation
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
39
Air and climate
Refrigerant leaks from cooling systems
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
40
Air and climate
Emissions of high-global-warming-potential refrigerants
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
41
Air and climate
Carbon footprint of concrete construction
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
42
Air and climate
Emissions from steel production
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
43
Air and climate
Emissions from server and electronics manufacturing
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
44
Air and climate
Climate impacts of equipment transport
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
45
Air and climate
Higher energy use when waste heat is not recovered
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
46
Air and climate
Potential increase in fossil-based electricity generation
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
47
Nature and biodiversity
Forest clearing for construction
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
48
Nature and biodiversity
Loss of natural habitats
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
49
50
Nature and biodiversity
Disruption of wildlife corridors
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
51
Nature and biodiversity
Disturbance of breeding areas
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
52
Nature and biodiversity
Deterioration of bird habitats
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
53
Nature and biodiversity
Changes to bat habitats
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
54
Nature and biodiversity
Loss of insect habitats
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
55
Nature and biodiversity
Removal of vegetation from construction sites
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
56
Nature and biodiversity
Decline in local species diversity
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
57
Nature and biodiversity
Construction disturbance affecting sensitive species
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
58
Nature and biodiversity
Changes to soil microorganism habitats
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
59
Nature and biodiversity
Weakened ecological connectivity
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
60
Nature and biodiversity
Alteration of wetlands and other valuable natural sites
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
61
Nature and biodiversity
Replacement of natural land with built surfaces
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
62
Nature and biodiversity
Habitat changes caused by new power lines
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
63
Nature and biodiversity
Potential bird collisions with power lines
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
64
Nature and biodiversity
Spread of invasive species during earthworks
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
65
Noise, vibration and light
Continuous noise from cooling fans
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
66
Noise, vibration and light
Noise from ventilation and compressor systems
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
67
Noise, vibration and light
Low-frequency hum from transformers
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
68
Noise, vibration and light
Noise from backup-generator testing
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
69
70
Noise, vibration and light
Noise from heavy vehicle traffic
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
71
Noise, vibration and light
Construction-related vibration
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
72
Noise, vibration and light
Structure-borne noise from technical equipment
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
73
Noise, vibration and light
Around-the-clock site lighting
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
74
Noise, vibration and light
Increasing light pollution
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
75
Noise, vibration and light
Disturbance to nocturnal animal behaviour
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
76
Noise, vibration and light
Insects attracted to artificial lighting
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
77
Noise, vibration and light
Changes to bat foraging and flight routes
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
78
Noise, vibration and light
Disturbance of nocturnal bird behaviour
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
79
Noise, vibration and light
Loss of darkness and quiet in residential areas
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
80
Grid and energy
High and continuous electrical power demand
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
81
Grid and energy
Need for new transmission lines
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
82
Grid and energy
Land required for substations and transformers
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
83
Grid and energy
Need for new power generation capacity
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
84
Grid and energy
Additional environmental impacts from energy generation
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
85
Grid and energy
Forest and landscape impacts of power-grid construction
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
86
Grid and energy
Risk of transformer insulating-oil leaks
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
87
Grid and energy
Environmental burden of manufacturing grid materials
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
88
Grid and energy
Material use in battery storage manufacturing
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
89
Grid and energy
Possible effects of high energy demand on other electrification
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
90
Grid and energy
Discharge of waste heat into the environment without recovery
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
91
Chemicals, batteries and waste
Thermal runaway and fire risk in lithium-ion batteries
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
92
Chemicals, batteries and waste
Harmful smoke gases from battery fires
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
93
Chemicals, batteries and waste
Contaminants in firefighting water from battery fires
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
94
Chemicals, batteries and waste
Lead and acid risks from lead-acid batteries
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
95
Chemicals, batteries and waste
Waste management of spent batteries
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
96
Chemicals, batteries and waste
Electronic waste from servers
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
97
Chemicals, batteries and waste
Environmental impacts of metals in circuit boards
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
98
Chemicals, batteries and waste
Use of rare and critical raw materials
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
99
Chemicals, batteries and waste
Indirect environmental impacts of mining
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
100
Chemicals, batteries and waste
Treatment of decommissioned equipment
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
101
Chemicals, batteries and waste
Chemical waste from cooling systems
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
102
Chemicals, batteries and waste
Oily maintenance waste
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
103
Chemicals, batteries and waste
Waste from filters and cleaning materials
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
104
Chemicals, batteries and waste
Construction and demolition waste
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
105
Chemicals, batteries and waste
Material waste caused by rapid replacement of electronics
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
106
Construction and local area
Conversion of large land areas to industrial use
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
107
Construction and local area
Changes to the visual landscape
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
108
Construction and local area
Loss of forests and green spaces
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
109
Construction and local area
Increased stormwater flood risk from impermeable surfaces
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
110
Construction and local area
More heavy traffic during construction
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
111
Construction and local area
Need to expand road networks
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
112
Construction and local area
Dust and noise impacts from traffic
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
113
Construction and local area
Environmental impacts of moving excavated soil
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
114
Construction and local area
Impacts of excavation and possible blasting
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
115
Construction and local area
Emissions from transport of construction materials
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
116
Construction and local area
Visual impact of large buildings on local landscapes
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
117
Construction and local area
Reduced recreational use of nearby areas
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
118
Construction and local area
Loss of naturally quiet areas
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
119
Construction and local area
Reduced perceived amenity in surrounding areas
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
120
Construction and local area
Cumulative impacts of multiple data centres and industrial projects
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
121
Other risks and monitoring
Microbial growth and potential Legionella risk in cooling towers
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
122
Other risks and monitoring
Fog or ice caused by water vapour from cooling systems
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
123
Other risks and monitoring
Local changes in airflow caused by cooling equipment
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
124
Other risks and monitoring
Long-term noise exposure effects on animal behaviour
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
125
Other risks and monitoring
Effects of repeated disturbance on animal reproduction
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
126
Other risks and monitoring
Accumulation of environmental pressures over decades
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
127
Other risks and monitoring
Additional environmental burden from data-centre expansion
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
128
Other risks and monitoring
Refrigerant risks when dismantling older cooling equipment
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
129
Other risks and monitoring
Demolition and waste-management challenges at end of operation
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
130
Other risks and monitoring
Delayed detection of environmental harm due to insufficient monitoring
Preliminary risk screening · Evidence not yet assessed
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