CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
TO THE STUDY
The
complex mixture of gases that makes up the
earth atmosphere has been altered much more significantly in the recent time.
Human activities that range from domestic energy utilization to large scale
industrial operation are largely responsible for this undesirable status of
atmospheric constituents due to addition of pollutant. Air pollution is a major
environmental problem affecting both the developing and developed countries of
the world. The effects of air pollution on human health are very complex as
there are different source thereby producing varying effects. (www.edu
green.ten.res.in)
Although industries such as power plants, cements,
refineries, petro-chemical and mines have identified as major sources of air
pollution , the emission of particulates is quiet outstanding from quarries .
Generally , the effects of dust emission from quarries have both micro and
regional dimension. Air pollution and ground vibration arising from blasting,
crushing and emission of noxious gases have negative impacts on human health
and well-being.
Quarrying products are increasingly demanded for
industrial domestic, agricultural and other purposes as to satisfy the needs of
the rapidly growing population.
Quarrying operations generally involve removal of
over burden drilling, blasting and crushing of rocks materials. The various
impact produced by these operations are both size and location dependents.
Manifestation of specific impacts are on the air, water, soil, earth surface,
flora and fauna and human being (Areola) 1991: Enger and Smitquarrying includes
swamp creation, deterioration of ground water, erosion of soil, noise and
percussion from rocks blasting, generation of dust, smoke and fuh 2002). Apart
from land degradation, other negative impacts of mes, production of noxious
gases and ground vibration suspended particular matter is quiet outstanding
among all pollutants emanating from quarrying operation (USEPA 2008).
Solid materials in the form of smoke, dust and also
vapour generated during quarrying operation are usually suspended over a long
period in the air. Moreover, matter in the air are capable of being transported
from the point of generation to area far removed (UNEP, 1991). Once particulate
of varying chemical composition are inhaled, they lodge in human lung, thereby
causing lung damages and respiratory problems (Last 1998). According to Deborah
(1996) and National Industrial
Sand Association (NISA 1997) dust generated from granite quarrying contain 71%
silica. Inhaling such dust results in silicosis which is capable of disabling
an exposed person and subsequently load to death. Apart from silicosis sand blasters, miner and quarry
worker are to suffer from Pneumoconiosis.
Suspended particulates matter may be affecting more
people globally than any other pollutants on a continuous basis (Richard, et al
2002). Going by epidemiological studies, a dose-response relationship between
exposure to PM10 and respiratory morbidity and mortality are established
(Dockrey and Pope, 1994: Pope, et al 1995: Qamar, et al 2001). Likewise is the
role of PM10 in the causation of asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular issues and
premature death. Even at relatively low concentration (not exceeding standard
guideline of 150mg/m3 for 24 hours) inhalable particulate matter (PM10) have
adverse effects on human health. Indeed, an increase of 50mg/m3 in particulate
level is showing to induce increase death rate from 2 to 8% in several
countries supporting this particulate level and health relationship WHO (1994)
indicated that daily mortality rates would increase by 20% with an increase of
particulate level to 200mg/m3. A report by the Environmental Working Groups in
California showed that respiratory illness caused by particulate matter are
responsible for more than 10,000 deaths and 16,000 hospital admission. The
health care cost of this illness of this was put at one hundred and thirty two
million Dollars, in addition to millions of missed work days and school absence
each year (www. Angel fire.com: Deborah 1996: Douglas
1996: USEPA 1996).
The circumstances surrounding most
developing countries, Nigeria Abeokuta
Finally it assessed the awareness of
the negative impacts of living in close proximity to quarry cities among the
neighbouring areas.
WHY DO WE QUARRY?
For thousands of years man has used
stone for building, whether it was for monuments, religious bussilding or
houses. Early on, when Britain
During the Industrial Revolution
demand scared. The Victorians use stone for their entire major buildings and
better transport and new technology, they were able to meet these increasing
demands, probably with little thought as to their impacts on the environment.
WHAT DO WE QUARRY?
Today the demand for carefully work
stone for has been reduced by the fact that we have so many new easier to use
and cheaper building material but this does not necessarily mean that there is
less quarrying.
There is now a great demand for stone
especially limestone in form of crushed rock and it is also essential
constituent in other building and construction materials. The techniques for
quarrying have changed. Now, those that quarry can be less selective,
consequently one of the best method of quick quarrying is the use of explosives
which means that great chunks of hillsides may be blown up and transported away
in relatively short time. Sand and gravel are used along with stone in
construction work, consequently millions of tonnes are being removed from sand
and gravel deposits both on land usually close to the urban areas where they are
needed and also from the sea bed.
The effects that quarry can have in
looking at this whilst a quarry is in use the effects on the local environment
are more than just the loss of wild life habitats and obvious visual impacts. A
working quarry needs methods of transportation and this means that large
amounts of machinery and heavy traffic will be brought into the area, causing
an income in local noise pollution and erosion.
What happens to dis use quarries? Sand
and gravel extractions may often leave behind large water filed pits. These
pits if managed correctly may become valuable wild life habitats for wetlands
and water creatures.
Quarries come in different shapes and
sizes. Some like the gravel pits are relatively easy to reclaim once they have
been made safe, are used for leisure areas such as camp sites or motor vehicles
racing tracks but the reclamation of either is more difficult. Removal of vast
quantity of rocks can change the vary shape of our environment. Whole hillsides
can be destroyed and layers of valuable soil removed. Since 1981 there have
being a time limit imposed on those who seek to extract from the land. They are
not allowed to quarry for an indefinite amount of time. Companies are also
required to reinstate the land, this can involve years of careful drainage and
land management in order to get the area back to state where it can be used.
Rock quarrying and stone crushing is
global phenomenon and has being the cause of concern everywhere in the world,
including the advanced countries. Quarrying activity is necessity that provides
much of the materials used in traditional hard flooring such as granite
limestone, marble, sandstone, state and even just clay to make ceramic tiles.
However like many other man-made activities (anthropogenic factors) quarrying
activities causes significant impacts on the environment (Okafor, 2006). In particular it is often necessary
to blast rock with explosives in order to extract material for processing but
this method of extraction gives rise to noise pollution, air pollution damage
to biodiversity and habitat destruction.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Over the years quarrying has
contributed tremendously to the development and growth of industrial
environment, but it was recognised that no development without negative
implication on the environment is not only tampered with but destroyed.
The quarry operation may intersect the
water table potential contamination could then results from residues of
explosives, oils and hydraulic fluids from vehicles used in the quarry. Minor
contamination of the sort could make the water valuable for domestic use
Dust from quarry site is a major
source of air pollution, the air pollution is not a nuisance ( in terms of
deposition on surface) and possible effects on health in particular for those
with respiratory problems but dust can also have physical effects on the
surrounding plants, such as blocking and damaging their internal structures and
abrasion of leaves and articles as well as chemical effects which may affects
long term survival (Guach 2001).
More of the main negative impacts of
quarrying on the environment is the damage to biodiversity. Biodiversity
essentially refers to the range of living specie including fish, insects,
invertebrates, reptiles, birds, mammals, plants, fungi and even
micro-organisms. Biodiversity conservation is important as all species are
interlinked even if this is not immediately visible or even known, and our
survival depends on the fine balance that exist within nature. More so quarrying
involves several activities that generate significant amount of noise. The
excavation of the minerals itself involves considerable noise, particularly if
blasting methods are used. Following this, the use of powered machinery to
transport the materials as well as possibly processing plant to crush and grade
minerals all contribute even more noise to the environment. Even noise
pollution can have a significant impact on some species and affect their
successful reproduction.
Like many other man-made activities
quarrying involves the production of significant amount of waste. Some type of
quarries do not produce large amount of permanent waste, such as sand and
gravel whereas others will produce significant amount of waste materials such
as clay and silt (Wang 2007).
Although
industries such as power plants, cement refineries, petro-chemical and mines
have been identified as a major source of air pollutant, the emission of
particulates is quiet outstanding from quarries. Generally the effects of dust
emission from quarries have both micro-regional dimensions. Air pollution and
ground vibration arising from blasting and emission of noxious gases have
negative impacts on human health and well-being
1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The central aim of the research is to
assess the environmental impact of quarry operation on the neighbouring areas
using Eruwon as a case study.
In order to achieve aim, the following
objectives were set;
a) To
examine the impact of quarry operation on neighbouring areas of Eruwon
environment.
b) To
assess the operational effect of the organisation on physical element like the
flora and fauna of Eruwon environment.
c) To
examine the geological disturbance resulting from the excavation of rock
particle.
d) To
examine the extents at which the quarrying activities have affected the health
status of the neighbouring settlements.
e) To
know the extent the organisation activities has affect the hydrological system
of the area.
f) To
the extent at which quarry activities has contributed to the environmental
pollution of the neighbouring environment.
g) To
examine the level of environmental sustainability strategy the organisation has
adopted In its operation.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Quarry industry had been contributing
tremendously to the industrial and development and growth of the industrial
environment over years, but it was recognised that no development without
negative implication on the environment. The negative impacts such as
environmental deterioration and environmental degradation has become the major
concern or issues for the environmental sustainability.
As we witness economic and industrial
growth through the exploitation of natural resources for the generation of
revenue, the environmental challenges coupled with health problems were also
experienced. Quarry industry establishment in the country is expected to be of
benefit and development to socio-economic break down of the country in which
the reverse is the case via the existing empirical studies because of the
environmental imbalance generated as the result of the environment in their
technological skills. This study attempts to contribute to the existing public
and academics Literature on Environmental Impact Assessment of quarrying
operation on neighbouring areas.
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The research questions here will be
the guide for the research work are stated below.
a) What
is the environmental of quarry operation on neighbouring areas of Eruwon area
in Ijebu North East LGA of Ogun state?
b) What
environment risk was posed by the quarry to the flora and fauna of that
environment?
c) Are
there risks of ground water pollution because of shallow or arising ground
water table, or proximity to ground water recharge areas with a high
vulnerability to pollution?
d) Can
the standard and capacity of the road network accommodate traffic likely to be
generated by the proposal?
e) Is
there likely to be a problem in meeting sustainability compliance with dust,
noise or water quality requirement due to the proximity and nature of nearby
land uses?
1.6 HYPOTHESIS OF THE RESEARCH
H0. Quarrying operation has no
significant impacts on the flora of the neighbouring areas.
Quarrying activities has no significant
impact on the fauna of the neighbouring areas.
Quarrying operation has no significant
impacts on the human health of the neighbouring areas.
H1. Quarrying operation has
significant impacts on the flora of the neighbouring areas.
Quarrying activities has significant
impacts on the fauna of the neighbouring areas.
Quarrying operation has significant impacts on
the human health of the neighbouring areas.
1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
Due to the distance of the study area,
there was a limited time for the study while insufficient fund may be other
challenges to the study. However the attitude of the respondents towards this
research may not be encouraging as they may doubt the motive behind the
research as a result of their response while accessibility is another major
constraint in terms of access to detailed information in other to easily help
in data collection. Also the deplorable road to the quarry site may be another
hindrance to the study but this will not affect the authenticity of the
research.
1.8 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The research is carrying out an
academic study into the environmental impact of quarry operation on the
neighbouring areas and the scope will basis and limited to Eruwon in Ijebu
North East LGA of Ogun state. The study covers the area of drilling, blasting,
crushing and usage of granite with the economic and social impact of quarry
operation on the neighbouring areas with the scope up to date.
1.9 STUDY AREA/SITE
Quarry is a very old industry in Nigeria
Furthermore, there is widespread
distribution of quarry materials particularly granite in parts of Nigeria
Eruwon quarry site is located at Ijebu
North East LGA of Ogun state. With its geographical co-ordinates of 6* 50* 0
North and 3* 58*0 East.
1.9.1 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF IJEBU NORTH EAST LGA
Ijebu North East LGA was created on
December 13 1996 from the old Ijebu-ode local government. The local government
was created as Ilugun Alaro local government when towns such as Isoyin, Eruwon,
Ilese, Imowo, Ogbogbo, etc. were not included. However the inclusion of these
towns led to the changing of the name to Ijebu North East local government with
the capital at Atan. Atan has been serving as the capital of Ilugun Alaro
District Council since 1995 under the defunct Ijebu Divisional Council.
1.9.2 LOCATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE SETTING
Ijebu North East local government is
bounded by Ijebu East local government in the east, Ijebu north local
government in the north, ijebu ode local government in west. Ijebu north east
local government is located approximately between latitude 653 and 655, north
of the equator and longitude 345 and 405 east of the Greenwich
The vegetation of the local government
is mainly of thick forest particularly in areas that are free from human
interference that are significantly changing the vegetation coverage of the
local government.
The climate, generally the
micro-climate condition in ijebu north east region, reflects and is reflected
on the prevailing climate of Nigeria Nigeria Nigeria
Atan is the headquarter of Ijebu north
east local government a position it has occupied at the inception when it was
named as Ilugun Alaro local government
1.9.3 NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENDOWMENTS
Ijebu north east is fairly well
endowed in terms of natural resources, particularly vegetation resources. The
local government is located on the forest belt of Nigeria
Another major natural resources with
which the local government endowed is in term of extensive fertile soil, which
are suitable for agriculture practises, which may be responsible for the
respondent of the majority of the inhabitant of the area of agriculture,
producing a wide range of food and cash crops. The local government is also
endowed with exploitable mineral resources, particularly with the widespread
deposit of high quality sand stones and gravel which are encouraging the
establishment of quarries in the local government.
1.9.4 AGRICULTURAL
ACTIVITIES AND MARKETING
SYSTEM
The people of the local government are
mostly farmers; this is quite understandable considering the presence of goods
arable and fertile soils and the absence of infrastructural amenities. The main
agricultural product in the area is palm oil and cassava. The other farm
products grown in the area include plantain, corn, cocoyam, melon and kolanut.
Most of these farm products are from
the small scale traditional farmers characterised by small farm holding with
traditional equipment of cutlass and hoes. These have been attributed to
inadequate capital and traditional land tenure system.
These Atan /Idoma market is the most
prominent of the market in the local government. The market run on 4 days
interval and is highly patronised from within and outside the local government
area. Other market in the local government include the Imowo ram market, Ilese
town market, Army barrack market and the Toll gate market at Ilese.
However despite the presence of these
few market delay marketing activity in the local government is poor and for
daily need of the people they have to go to Ijebu ode or Ijebu Igbo.
1.10 DEFINITION OF TERMS
The definitions of terms used in these
studies are
1) ENVIRONMENT-
This is the condition and objects that surround man. It can also said to be
setting or conditions in which a particular activity is carried on.
2) IMPACT-
The can be said to be the difference you make.
3) ASSESSMENT-
This is the systematic collection, review and use of information about
educational programme to improve students.
4) DEVELOPMENT-
This is the process of developing or being developed.
5) RISK-
This is a probability or threat of damage, injury, liability, loss or any other
negative occurrence that is caused by external or internal vulnerability and
that may be avoided through prescriptive action.
6) SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT-
This is the development that meets the needs of the present, without
compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs.
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