Evaluation of the Environmental Effects of the Abandoned Quarries Strabag Quarry at Ibadan, Nigeria and RCC Quarry at Wasinmi, Ikire, Nigeria

Abstract

The research work evaluates the environmental effects of the abandoned quarries Strabag and RCC quarries. Soil samples were collected at different locations in and around the study areas and water samples were also collected for the laboratory analysis. Soil samples were analysed for the determination of macronutrients and micronutrients while water samples were analysed for determination of chemical parameters such as pH, Fe, Cr, Si, K⁺, Na⁺, Ca⁺⁺, Mg⁺⁺, CC^-, SO₄, NO₃^- and water hardness in triplicate. The laboratory test results and data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Turkey’s test was used to verify the significant differences among treatment means at the 5% probability level. Linear correlation and regression analysis between soil and water parameters (Y) and the distance from quarry (X) was performed using Microsoft Excel^Ò. The results obtained revealed that most of the deficiencies observed in chemical analysis of soil and water samples from the studied areas have no direct link with previous mining operation in the areas. It was also revealed from the findings that abandoned quarries (granite) have more of physical constraints than the chemical constraints.

Keywords: Environmental effects, abandoned quarries, macronutrients, micronutrients, physical constraints, chemical constraints.