Spatial distribution and landscape impact analysis of quarries and waste dumpsites

Abstract

This work aimed to develop an assessment tool that can help local officials and the public understanding the main effects surrounding location of quarrying activities and improper disposal of CDW. The specific objectives were to (1) assess the visual impact of quarries and CDW dumpsites at the landscape level and (2) investigate the effect of land conversion to quarries and CDW dumpsites on water runoff volume. The methodology of work involved digitization of individual quarries and CDW dumpsites using very high-resolution satellite imagery. The volume of exploited material was estimated with the use of a Digital Elevation Model. Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis was employed to assess the state of soil cover on identified sites. Visual impact maps were developed using Geographic Information System analysis. The Natural Resource Conservation Service-Curve Number model was adopted to estimate changes in volume of annual surface water runoff. The assessment resulted in mapping individual quarries (i.e., 1,425 quarries over an area of 61,723,800 m2) and CDW dumpsites (i.e., 219 dumpsites over an area of 5,012,100 m2) showing (1) low to complete absence of vegetation recovery on identified sites, (2) improper location of quarries and large extent of visually polluted landscape and (3) increase in surface water runoff. This work demonstrated the ability of using an operational tool to spatially characterize quarries and CDW dumpsites and their impacts on the landscape in the absence of extensive site-specific datasets. The transferability and replicability of this tool count on systematic use of the investigated geospatial techniques.