Abstract:
This study examine the impact of stone quarrying on air soil and water in Ebonyi State and the magnitude of its impact in Environmental pollution. Earth particles were collected from two major sites of Ishiagu and Akpoha using purposeful sampling method. Findings showed that distance from quarrying site determine the level of pollution in sites. Soil, water, air, bone were also examined to find out the magnitude of pollution. The observation indicated that the Ishiagu (the old quarrying site) had more pollution than new quarrying site at Akpoha.
Keywords: Environment; Impact; Air quality; Stone quarrying; Soil and water
Introduction:
Exploitation of mineral resources has assumed prime importance in several developing countries including Nigeria. Nigeria as a country is endowed with abundant mineral resources which have contributed immensely to the national wealth with associated socio-economic benefits. Mineral resources are important source of wealth for a nation but before they are harnessed, they have to pass through the stages of exploration, mining and processing [1,2]. According to Aigbebion [3] different types of environmental damage and hazards inevitably accompany their three stages of mineral development. The complex mixture of gases that make up the earth atmosphere has been altered much more in recent time. Human activities that range from domestic energy utilization to large scale industrial operations are largely responsible for this undesirable status of the atmospheric constituents due to addition of pollutants. Air pollution is a major environmental problem affecting both the developing and developed countries of the world. Its effects on human health are very complex as there are different sources; thereby providing varying effects. The work of Gunn and Gajen, Gunn et al. [4,5] states that the worldwide production of quarry rocks ranks third in terms of volume and forth in terms of value of all non-fuel mineral commodities. Lutting [6] states that over 70 percent of the crushed stones produced in the United States comes from quarrying rocks and that 75 percent is consumed by the construction industry. Quarry can be located flat on the ground along or into the side of valley and on the side of a hill. In most situations, quarries excavated on flat ground have a relatively small impact on geomorphology which is limited to the removal of sinkholes and cave passage ways. Gunn J and Gagen [4] states that quarry on valley side can extend laterally along the valley side causing large geomorphic impacts or they can work back into the valley wall, where the impact is less [5]. Quarries on hills generally have large geomorphic impacts which indicate that crushed stone quarrying have removed an entire karsts hill. The work of Garba [7] states that people living close to the quarries are affected by the activities that go on in that area. In quarrying areas like the village of Pali in India, the safety of human beings is not put into considerations. There is no personal protective equipment being provided to workers, helmet, safety belts, masks, safety shoes are foreign. The work states that approximately 200 people have been buried alive during the mine blasting operations in the past decade only. Thework postulates that the workers and their family who are residing close to these units are more vulnerable to silica exposure. The children, women and elderly are all breathing these toxins regularly. The WHO (1992) reports states that the growing awareness of both PM10 and PM2.5 is largely associated with the potential damaging effects they can have on the human body. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that particles are affecting more people worldwide than any other pollutant. Primary Health effects include damage to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Due to the small size of PMIO and PM2.5 particles, they can penetrate the deepest part of the lungs as well as access the gas exchange regions of the lung via diffusion
Area of Study:
The location of this study is in Akpoha in Afikpo North Local Government Area and Ishiagu in Ivo Local Government area of Ebonyi State. Both areas are in the Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone of Ebonyi State. Afikpo North Local Government Area has a common boundary with Ivo Local Government Area where the two sites are located. The two quarry sites have been chosen due to its large size and all year round production for effective research results (Figure 1). Akpoha falls within latitudes 5° 511 N and 5° 591 N and longitudes 9° 001 E and 17° 001 E while Ishiagu falls within latitudes 5° 511 N and 5° 591 N and longitudes 7° 241 E and 7° 401 E. Akpoha is accessible through the Afikpo Abakaliki road at kilometer 15 from Afikpo. Ishiagu is accessible through the Enugu-Port Harcourt rail way line which runs North South through the center of the study area, the Kaduna-Port Harcourt oil pipe line which runs North East to South West through the area. Also the Enugu-Port Harcourt express road which passes through the extreme North Western corner of the study area. The Akpoha river runs from Cross river and it is situated North of the quarry site while Ishiagu has streams like Nwaomaiyi, Obe and Aku