Manuscript Title:

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE GRANITE QUARRYING AND STONE PROCESSING INDUSTRY ON SOIL QUALITY: A CASE STUDY IN RAMANAGARA DISTRICT, KARNATAKA, INDIA

Author:

NAGARAJA V, ARPITHA M, RAKESH C J, SINDHU H N, SHUCHI KS, SUDHA S

DOI Number:

DOI:10.5281/zenodo.12284768

Published : 2024-06-23

About the author(s)

1. NAGARAJA V - Department of PG Studies and Research in Applied Geology, Jnana Sahyadri, Kuvempu University, Sankaraghatta, Shivamogga District, Karnataka State, India.
2. ARPITHA M - Department of PG Studies and Research in Applied Geology, Jnana Sahyadri, Kuvempu University, Sankaraghatta, Shivamogga District, Karnataka State, India.
3. RAKESH C J - Department of PG Studies and Research in Applied Geology, Jnana Sahyadri, Kuvempu University, Sankaraghatta, Shivamogga District, Karnataka State, India.
4. SINDHU H N - Department of PG Studies and Research in Applied Geology, Jnana Sahyadri, Kuvempu University, Sankaraghatta, Shivamogga District, Karnataka State, India.
5. SHUCHI KS - Department of PG Studies and Research in Applied Geology, Jnana Sahyadri, Kuvempu University, Sankaraghatta, Shivamogga District, Karnataka State, India.
6. SUDHA S - Department of PG Studies and Research in Applied Geology, Jnana Sahyadri, Kuvempu University, Sankaraghatta, Shivamogga District, Karnataka State, India.

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Abstract

The granite quarrying and stone processing activities in the Ramanagara area have resulted in land degradation, ecological imbalance, increased soil pollution, loss of agricultural land and productivity, and physical and chemical soil contamination. This study examines the effects of local stone processing and granite quarrying operations on soil quality. The main objectives of the study are to determine the impacts of heavy metal concentration on the environment, examine the physico-chemical properties of the soil, and evaluate the consequences of granite quarrying and stone processing on the quality of the soil and associated parameters in the research region. At twelve (12) sites spanning residential neighborhoods, industrial zones, and granite quarries; the granite quarry and stone processing industry produces dimensioned stone, aggregates, dust, flying rock fragments (blasting material), chemicals (blasting explosives), and cracamite chemical powder, etc. All of these products are by-products of the quarrying activities spread throughout the surrounding areas. In order to ascertain the physicochemical properties of the soil and the quantity of heavy metals, core, auger, or well-drilled samples were extracted at a depth of 10 to 100 cm. Using conventional techniques; a range of physico-chemical analysis was performed on the gathered samples. The following were listed: temperature, pH, EC, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, iron, and boron; organic carbon was also mentioned. Through laboratory analysis, the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil were evaluated in order to evaluate the quality of the soil in the research area. The primary conclusions showed that the significant damage caused to the soil by the granite quarrying and stone processing businesses has altered the quality of the soil in the Ramanagara district. The data indicates that, in comparison to the other research locations, the soil quality was found to be worse at a radius of 1 to 2 kilometers around quarry sites. Research utilizing positive correlation matrix analysis between the quarry locations showed how quarry operations negatively impact soil quality and contribute to a common source of pollution. The research strongly suggests that such soils should not be used for agricultural production until remediation methods like bioremediation, soil washing, thermal desorption, etc. are implemented in light of the findings. Researchers, academic institutions, businesses, government agencies, agricultural departments, and society at large will all find value in this study.


Keywords

Quarrying, Soil Quality, Soil Pollution, Heavy Metal.