Stone Crusher Dust and its Impact on Tree Species

[Dr. Jitin Rahul ''NATURE'']

                                     Environmental Article

Threats to the environment from the progressive deterioration of the Biosphere have emerged as one of the major issues of modern times to on this issue world has become about conscious of the world wide problems of keeping the environment safe for human existence.Same after the Stockholm 5 June, 1972- Human Environment conference India.Took many steps to protect the environment. The constitution of India was amended in order to insect direct provisions for protection of environment. The constitution (42 Amendment) act, 1976, inserted in the directive principles as Article us-A states: “The state shall endow or to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of country.

   

Stone crushing industry is an important industrial sector in the state engaged in producing crushed stone which is raw material for various construction activities like construction of road, highways, bridge etc.These stone crushers through socio economically an important sector, given rise to substantial quantity of fugitive fine dust emissions resulting into health hazards to the workers as well as surrounding population and This dust also adversely affects visibility reduces growth of vegetations and hampers aesthetics view of the area.

   

 Air pollution is a major problem in modern society. Even thrugh air pollution is usually a greater problem in cities, pollutants contaminate air everywhere. These substances include various gases and tiny particles, or particles that can harm human health and damage the environment. The interaction between plants and different types of pollutants were investigated by many authors: most studies on the influence of environmental pollution focus on physiological and ultrastructural aspects (Heumann, 2002; Psaras and Christodoulakis, 1987; Velikova et al., 2000). Studies concerning the anatomy of the vegetative organs under conditions of pollution have been also carried out (Alves et al., 2008; Ahmad et al., 2005; Silva et al., 2005, 2006, Verma et al., 2006). The reaction of different species to the altered environmental conditions is strongly correlated with their structural and functional features. Although some remains natural, According to Christodoulakis and Fasseas (1990) show no significant changes in Laurus nobilis (a resistant xerophytic plant) leaf structure exposed to air pollutants in Athens. Studies show that under the action of pollutants, plants develop different morphological and anatomical changes.

 

Various authors investigated the effects of pollution on different species of Fabaceae. The strong correlation between the degree of contaminations in all plant leaves of Robinia pseudo-acacia (Fabaceae) reflect the environmental changes accurately, and that they appear as an effective biomonitor of environmental quality (Celik et al., 2005). Bidar et al. (2006) have considered the species Trifolium repens as resistant to the action of heavy metals, based on the activity of superoxide dismutase.

 

 Air pollution generally and especially dust from stone crusher plant sites are known to be responsible for vegetation injury and crop yield loss and thus become a threat to the survival of plants in industrial areas (Iqbal and Shafig, 2001). Such Dust reduce plant cover, height and number of leaves.

A part from the dust emitted, toxic compounds such as Fluoride, Magnesium, Lead, Copper, Sulphuric acid and Hydrochloric acid are injurious to the vegetation.        

 

Stone crushing is a global phenomenon, and has been the cause of concern everywhere in the world, including the advanced countries. Dust from quarry sites is a major source of air pollution, although the severity will depend on factors like the local microclimate conditions, the concentration of dust particles in the ambient air, the size of the dust particles and their chemistry, for example limestone quarries produce highly alkaline and reactive dusts. The stone crusher dust is not only a nuisance (in terms of deposition on surfaces) and possible effects on health, in particular for those with respiratory problems but dust can also have physical effects on the surrounding plants, such as blocking and damaging their internal structures and abrasion of leaves and cuticles, as well as chemical effects which may affect long-term survival (Guach, 2001).

      

One of the biggest negative impacts of dust on the environment is the damage to Biodiversity (Anand, 2006). The term biodiversity refers to the variety and abundance of plants, animals and microorganism as well as the ecosystem and ecological and ecological process to which these belongs.The terms Biodiversity was coined by WALTER G.ROSEN in 1985. Biodiversity provides a variety of environmental services from its species and ecosystems that are essential at the global, regional, and local levels, the production of oxygen, reduction of carbon-dioxide into carbon and oxygen. Biodiversity essentially refers to the range of living species, including fish, insects, invertebrates, reptiles, bird, mammals, plants, fungi and even micro-organisms. Biodiversity conservation is important as all species are interlinked even if this is not immediately visible or even known, and our survival depends on this fine balance that exists within nature. Both positive and adverse societal impacts of modern manufacturing technologies have great consequences on economics, health, safety and environment in general (Anand, 2006).

 

Every species and sub-species recorded at the site were evaluated according to International Union for Conservation of Nature for flora and fauna species red list data (IUCN, 2009). Diversity Index was calculated using Shannon Weaver’s Index with the formula H= -EPi In Pi where S is the number of species, P is the proportion of individuals or abundance of the ith and In is the log base n. This index combines species richness with relative abundance. Shannon’s equitability or evenness was calculated using the formula Eᴴ = H/ In S. The major growth forms (Cain and De Oliveria Castro, 1959) were noted.

 

Questionnaires were administered to provide adequate information on the socio-economic status of the species utilization by the inhabitants at the surrounding villages.

In this study, we would be reviewed that information specifically related to crusher dust in and around the study area and its effect on plant vegetations.

 

 Environmental contamination due to dust particle coming from Cement Industries, Coal Mining, Quarrying, Stone Crushing, Thermal Power Plant etc., has drawn much attention to the environmental scientists today as they create serious pollution problems and pose threat to the ecosystem. The cement industry also plays a vital role in the imbalances of the environment and produces air pollution hazards (Stern, 1976). These dust particulates are causing large scale deforestation destruction of Biota (Panda, 1996) and other natural resources. Among these deposition of cement kill dust in large quantities around cement factories causes changes in soil physical chemical properties (Asubiojo, 1991; Saralabai, 1993). The effect of such deposition affects the growth and biochemical characteristics of field crops has also been widely studied (Prasad and Inamadar, 1990; Prasad et al., 1991).

 

Stone quarrying and crushing industries are an important class of “essential industry” that supplies the raw material for many large scale construction and transport related projects. During the stone crushing process, large size boulders in the range between 200-300 mm are taken from the mine and are unloaded from almost 25 feet height into the mount of primary crusher machine of the unit where these are broken into smaller pieces. These pieces are taken through a conveyor belt to disintegrator which produces powder out of these small granules followed by size-wise separation through vibrator. Finally different sized chips are carried to different product sites and a hoper is served as the dust collector. Generally, final products are of three different size granules, e.g., 6, 12 and 20 mm. By this process, large amount of free silica is produced which increases the risk of silicosis and silico-tuberculosis. This huge amount of micro size dust is the major concern for personal as well as community health. Generally, stone crushing industries are located adjacent to the highways and nearby communities for the sake of convenient transport facilities. Mainly rural, migrant, untrained and poor workers are engaged in this unorganized and poor workers are engaged in this unorganized sector where the focus on workers health and socioeconomic conditions are generally neglected.

About 12% of the earth’s crust consists of free silica, mostly quartz. “Free Silica” is nothing but Sio2 which microns are capable of reaching the alveolar region of respiratory system that can cause silicosis. These particles are commonly known as “respirable” particles. The silica particles induce fibrosis in the lungs, i.e. the normal lung tissue is replaced by non-functioning fibrous tissue.

 

Sand and gravel mining has been one of the serious environmental problems around the globe in recent years. The often results in land degradation, loss of agricultural lands and biodiversity as well increased poverty among people.

 

 

                                                                                            

                                                                                 JITIN RAHUL

                                                                                            JRF-Ph.D

                                                                           INDIAN SCHOOL OF MINES

                                                                              DHANBAD, JHARKHAND

                                                                                              INDIA

                                                                           E-Mail- [e-mail]

                 

 

 

[putaka ramesh]

Excellent article..

[Manoshi Goswami]

Very good information..

[Prof Dr V N Sivasankara Pillai]

PS

It is also important to examine the morphological features of particulate matter, since cleaved crystals have sharp cutting edges and can physically damage the inner and outer structures of tender leaves.

[Prof Dr V N Sivasankara Pillai]

Dear Jithin,

As  a JRF you can focus on the mechanism of interaction of particulate matter of various particle size by way of blocking respiration and transmission through the plant body and consequent changes in physiology and growth.

[ASHOK KUMAR SAHOO]

Solutions

• Active participation of regulatory bodies and appropriate action against the violation of regulatory norms.
• Active participation of Environment Activists and NGOs for cross checking action taken against violation of pollution norms.
• To aware the local people to raise voice against violation of pollution norms.
• Media to play a active role in this regard.

[Sangeeta Deogawanka]

Solution? Getting this unorganised sector under a regulatory body? Using eGovernance tools for doing away with the contractor-departmental nexus that usually overlooks such activity? Other solutions??

[ASHOK KUMAR SAHOO]

In most of the cases ,stone crushers are being operated without following the pollution norms and it is not also possible on the part ofState Pollution Control Board to cover and regularise all the stone crusher units those who are violating pollution norms intentionally.So,it is necessary to creat awareness among the local inhabitants those who are directly being affected because of  biodiversity damage.On the otherhand noise pollution is also equally responsible for individual and community stress.

[PRAKASH CHANDRA JHA]

A very informative article. What is the solution ?

[GOPI KANTA GHOSH]

Oustanding article...we must strike balance

[Sangeeta Deogawanka]

Excellent article!

Stone crushing and mining are also done on the river banks, that are an equally serious concern if not more, as it leads to river erosion as well as pollution. I have seen this most prevalent all along the banks of river Teesta, a sore sight too.