Abstract
This study investigated air pollutants associated with quarry activities and the variation of the pollutants with distance from the drilling section. Air pollutants were monitored with the use of automatic air samplers with the exception of ozone (O3) which was determined by iodometric method. All sampling were replicated three times. The data obtained were subjected to descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and correlation. Means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range test. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide were detected while sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and O3 were below detection limit. Suspended particulates were the most significant of the air pollutants analyzed. Crushing section had the highest concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 with 0.231 ± 0.018 mg/m3 and 0.130 ± 0.010 mg/m3 respectively followed by the drilling section with 0.074 ± 0.066 mg/m3 for PM10 and 0.065 ± 0.045 mg/m3 for PM2.5. The mean levels of the total suspended particulate decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with distance from the crushing section to Jagun village.
Highlights
The process of getting useful stone from a quarry is known as quarrying
This study investigated air pollutants associated with quarry activities and the variation of the pollutants with distance from the drilling section
Sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and ozone (O3) concentrations in the ambient air were below detection limit (Table 3)
Summary
The process of getting useful stone from a quarry is known as quarrying. The methods and equipment used in quarry depend on the purpose for which the stone is extracted. The extent of pollution by dust depends on the local microclimate conditions, the concentration of dust particles in the ambient air, the size of the dust particles and their chemistry (Hsin-Yi, 2012) Dust has effect both on human health and the natural environment. It can lead to chronic health effects for instance decreased lung capacity and lung cancer resulting from long-term exposure to toxic air pollutants (Sunyer, 2001). It blocks and damages the internal structure and abrasion of leaves and cuticles (Hsin-Yi, 2012). The objectives of this study were to identify the various air pollutants associated with quarry activities and determine the variation in the concentration of the pollutants with respect to the distance from the drilling section
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