Evaluation of the Impacts of Limestone Mining on Soil and Water Quality in Okpella, Edo State, Nigeria
Abstract
This research evaluated the impacts of limestone mining on soil and water quality in Okpella, Edo State. Nigeria. Samples of water and soil were collected from the quarry and processing plant of BUA Cement Company and from residential areas in close proximity to the company. Control samples were also collected from residential area within Okpella. Physico-chemical analysis was carried out on soil and water samples to evaluate the impacts of limestone mining on the quality of water and soil in the study area. The water samples collected from the mine site were alkaline with a mean pH value of 8.6. The mean electrical conductivity of water from the mine was 674µS/cm. This value is due to the high amount of dissolved salt in the water samples. The concentration of heavy metals like iron, manganese, copper and chromium were slightly above WHO and NSDWQ Standards while zinc, nickel and lead were within the maximum permissible limits. Also, the soil samples taken around the mine were of high concentration of phosphate, sulphur, potassium and calcium as compared to the elemental composition of the control samples. Concentration of heavy metals such as iron, zinc, copper, nickel and cobalt were higher than the maximum allowable limits of FAO/WHO while manganese, lead and chromium concentrations were within the limits. Soil and water bodies are essential natural resources that play crucial roles in maintaining the sustainability of an environment. Therefore, environmental experts and relevant authorities that can help to develop a tailored plan to address the implications of heavy metal contamination in the soil and water bodies of the host community of BUA Cement Company must be involved.
Keywords
Heavy Metals, Quarries, Vegetation, Water
Citations
IRE Journals:
Ayodele Gbenga , Owolabi Ayodele Olumuyiwa
"Evaluation of the Impacts of Limestone Mining on Soil and Water Quality in Okpella, Edo State, Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 7 Issue 3 2023 Page 364-372
IEEE:
Ayodele Gbenga , Owolabi Ayodele Olumuyiwa
"Evaluation of the Impacts of Limestone Mining on Soil and Water Quality in Okpella, Edo State, Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 7(3)
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