impact of sand harvesting on environment and land use in owerri west a case study of umuerim river side area.

IMPACT OF SAND HARVESTING ON ENVIRONMENT AND LAND USE IN OWERRI WEST A CASE STUDY OF UMUERIM RIVER SIDE AREA.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract

The bed rock of every infrastructural development in any society is built on the creedal of Sand and gravel for extensive construction. However, sand happens to be an indispensable natural resource for urban development and despite society’s increasing dependence on sand, there are major challenges that this industry needs to deal with: limited sand resources, illegal mining, and environmental impact of sand mining. The purpose of this research was to consider the impact of sand harvesting on environment and land use in owerri west a case study of umuerim river side area. The study examined positive and negative environmental impacts of the continuous removal of river sand, pit sand and gravel from sampled rivers and open areas surrounding owerri west a case study of umuerim river side area. Quantitative and qualitative research designs that is questionnaire survey, oral interviews, field observation and measurements were used to collect data from selected sampled points. Nekede and Ihiagwarivers were selected because they are nearer to umuerim and most river sand is mined from these rivers. More points were sampled from open areas in Avu, Okuku and Oforola farms where pit sand and gravel are mined. Convenience and purposive sampling methods were used to pick questionnaire survey respondents (175) from Ihiagwaand Nekede villages where people affected lives. Findings of the study highlighted that river sand was mined most from rivers near umuerim compared to pit sand and gravel because of its multi uses. Mining is important for economic development, to construct durable, modern structures, employment creation and revenue collection but removal of river sand leads to deepening and widening of rivers. Artificial rivulets are formed as resource is extracted uncontrollably. Pit sand and gravel are extracted from open areas creating uncovered deep pits, which caused of accidents to children and livestock. Erosion and environmental degradation occur due to continuous mining. Miners dispose waste on open areas and riverbeds causing land pollution. Dust and noise pollution from tipper trucks ferrying sand and gravel are a cause of concern to villagers as the trucks move even at night, disturbing sleep. Based on these findings, we recommend different measures to be followed to reduce negative impacts. Sand mining should be done in a way that limits environmental damage during exploitation and restores the land after mining operations are completed.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    Introduction

1.1        Background of the study

1.2        Statement of problem

1.3        Objective of the Study

1.4        Research Hypothesis

1.5        Significance or rationale of the study

1.6       Scope and Limitation of the Study

CHAPTER TWO

2.0        Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1   Research Methodology

3.2    Sources of Data

3.3    Primary Sources of Data

3.4    Population of the Study

3.5    Determination of Sample Size

3.6    Instrument for Data Collection

3.7    Testing for Reliability and Validity

3.8    Administration of Questionnaire

3.9    Method of Data Presentation and Analysis

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION

4.1    Interpretation of Data

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION S

5.1      Summary of Findings

5.2      Recommendations

5.3      Suggested area for Further Study

5.4      Conclusion

Bibliography

Questionnaire

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the study

Sand is a natural aggregate formed by rock erosion over thousands of years [1,2]. Evidence of sand use as an aggregate material for different civil constructions dates from ancient times [3]. The mortar used for bounding Egyptian pyramids blocks was a mixture of clay and sand or a mixture of mud, lime and sand [4]. Jackson et al. [5] consider that the mortar produced by romans 2000 years ago (as a combination of limestone and volcanic sand) had an essential role for preserving the buildings over centuries. The situation is not completely different today, as sand is still used intensively in the construction industry, but currently there are also many other industries that use this natural resource. Thus, sand is used as a main component in various construction materials such as cement, mortar, tile, brick, glass, adhesives, ceramics, etc.; and it has an important role in water filtration, in chemicals and metals processing and in plastic industry. These multiple utilizations led to an exponential consumption growth and this trend is expected to continue due to population growth and increasing standards of living.

The importance of this natural resource is given by the fact that, nowadays, after fresh water, sand is considered to be the second most consumed natural resource on Earth [6]. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) stipulates that “Sand and gravel represent the highest volume of raw material used on earth after water “but also sounded t0he alarm over the fact that “their use greatly exceeds their natural renewal rates” [7].

Considering that deserts cover almost 20% of Earth’s land surface and 20–30% of the world’s deserts are covered by sand [8], one can imagine that to cover sand demand is a problem that can easily be solved. The situation is quite different because not every type of sand is suitable for market demand. It may seem surprising but countries from Middle East, surrounded by desert, import large quantities of sand. The value of sand and gravel imported by Qatar in 2012 was around $6.5B [9], the country being considered the world’s largest importer of sand and gravel for that year. In 2014, the value of United Arab Emirates imports of sand, stone and gravel was around $456M [10].

Desert sand, which consists of small and fine grains, does not meet certain multiple industry standards. The fact that a certain type of sand may or may not be used in different industries depends on several factors (size, density, composition, etc.). According to the Product Complexity Index (PCI), in 2015, sand occupied position 935 from a total of 1219 products [11], thus it is not considered a complex product and does not require complex knowledge, skills or technology to produce.

However, according to Draggan (2008), sand and gravel are crucial resources to economic development activities in developed and developing nations. Recovery from river channels, flood plains and glacial deposits as well as processing of these resources is costly but valuable in construction and industry (Draggan, 2008). Development is a process of gradually becoming bigger, better, more advanced in business, trade and industrial activities. Growth of towns and cities demands much more infrastructure and construction of strong structures such as tarred roads, commercial shopping malls and accommodation for the ever increasing population. As urban areas develop, there is likely to be a disturbance of the environment. United Nations Conference on Environment and Development Report (2002) supported proper use of the environment and urged governments to develop but recognising conservation and rehabilitation of all natural resources. The report revealed that over extraction of soil for urban development is an environmental problem common worldwide. The use of soil as a source of raw materials is depleting the resource and has adverse impacts. Impacts of sand mining and gravel extraction can be classified into three categories as presented by Stebbins (2006). There are physical impacts which are a result of mining from streambed causing alteration of channel slope and changes in channel morphology. Water quality impacts are caused by sand mining and dredging activities, reducing water quality for downstream users and increase treatment costs. Ecological impacts such as loss of habitats and species disturbance are a result of mining gravel and sand continuously leading to removal of channel substrate, suspension of sediments and clearance of vegetation. As a worldwide economic activity, pit and river sand mining and gravel extraction has both positive and negative impacts to the environment. Schaetzl (1990) noted that in United States of America, many states like California and Michigan rely on mining of pit sand and gravel for road and cement aggregates. He further wrote that many prime sources (glacial deposits) of sand and gravel have been exhausted, and now covered by housing developments and farmland. The once abundant supply of sand and gravel is rapidly diminishing. In USA, sand and gravel are used for construction of industries in cities, paving, highway building, brick moulding and even making golf courses. Many states are well developed with advanced infrastructure which is a positive effect of soil mining.

Moreover, excessive extraction of soil 3 lead to excavation, destruction of ecosystems and exposure of buried pipelines. Bagchi (2010) exposed illegal sand mining going on in India, mostly done on rivers. The environmental impacts noted were changes in fluvial morphology, deep tunnels on river beds and increase in velocity of flowing water resulting in erosion on river banks. In some cases there is depletion of water resources leading to food shortages and hardships for people. Lawal (2011) discussed sand mining in Nigeria and highlighted that the activity is rapidly becoming an ecological problem as demand for gravel and sand increases. The resources are used in construction of strong structures which improves the socio economic lives of most Nigerians though with notable negative environmental impacts. According to Mwangi (2007) the rate of soil mining in Kenya is so alarming that the government had to draft the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), a policy to apply to all mining activities. This policy was put in place to ensure proper and sustainable mining of soil. Mwangi (2007) spelled out the creation of employment in Kenya particularly to people living near the mining areas as a positive impact. Hill and Kleyhans (1999) realised that soil mining is done and important in South Africa for construction purposes but processes involved have great potential in disrupting the natural environment. They noted that excessive soil mining cause adverse impacts to biota and their habitats. Extraction near streambed damage vegetation and aquatic ecosystems. According to Kowalska and Sobczyk ([20], 2014), “sand deposits are located in the majority of cases on the mountain and river valleys, often in environmentally valuable areas”. Being more expensive than terrestrial exploitation, offshore dredging is most common in developed economies due to the cost of specialized equipment and special environmental permits required [21]. Therefore leaving aside the importance of this resource for many industries, sand industry has significant environmental consequences for the planet. Lawal [22] considered that sand demand is growing rapidly, while, at the same time, its exploitation is becoming an environmental issue.

1.1 Statement of the problem

According to Wokorach (2002), expansion means growth in infrastructure, construction of new roads, commercial malls and residential areas. There is need for use of various soil components such as pit sand, river sand and gravel from various sites surrounding the city of umuerim considering it alarming growth rate in recent time. People seem to be extracting these soil components excessively without considering the impact on the environment. Most likely, there is overexploitation of soil leaving deep pits on bare ground while rivers are widening daily. Soil mining has become a daily sight with tipper trucks carrying pit sand, river sand and gravel from rivers and open fields. It seems there are no strict rules to govern soil extraction. Deep and wide pits are left when pit sand and gravel are collected, riverbeds widen and deepen after removing river sand, affecting aquatic while gravel removal destroy ecosystems, forests and agricultural land (Mbaiwa, 2008). Pit sand organisms is collected from Kumakwane, river sand is from Metsimotlhabe and Ditlhakane rivers while gravel is extracted from Kumakwane, Kopong and Bela Bela farms. There seemed to be a problem of environmental alteration, ecosystem and agricultural land destruction as well as riverbed and bank degradation due to excessive removal of pit sand, river sand and gravel which prompted the researcher to investigate the impact of sand harvesting on environment and land use in owerri west a case study of umuerim river side area.

1.2 Purpose of the study

To assess and evaluate impact of sand harvesting on environment and land use in owerri west a case study of umuerim river side area.

To assess and compare the soil component mined most for construction.

To measure and analyse the size of pits where pit sand and gravel are collected.

To assess, measure and evaluate the width and depth of rivers at sampled extraction points.

To evaluate the positive and negative environmental impacts of mining river sand, pit sand and gravel for urban development.

To make recommendations on sustainable mining of soil which reduce negative impacts on the environment.

1.3 Significance of the study

The research was meant to obtain increased understanding of the potential positive and negative impacts of sand mining and gravel extraction in stream, bare fields and riparian habitats. The study concentrated on the impact of sand harvesting on environment and land use in owerri west a case study of umuerim river side area. The researcher found it necessary to carry out a study on finding the environmental impacts of soil extraction, both positive and negative, in pursuit of knowledge and for public good. The outcomes of the research are valuable solutions to rehabilitation of land where soil is extracted and mitigation of negative effects. This research was also meant to provide guidelines for evaluation of potential positive and negative environmental impacts as the worldwide concern about the environment. Recommendations had been made on sustainable use of the environment while supporting the positive impacts since soil is an important resource covering the land surface and human community depend on soil for agriculture, construction and even as a habitat for various organisms (Mwangi, 2007). Therefore findings from this research will be helpful to People benefitting from soil particularly for agricultural purposes,  sand and gravel mining industries, as well as the various government ministries such as nature resource, environment, Agriculture and the policy makers in government.

1.4 Research questions

1. Which soil component is harvested most in owerri west a case study of umuerim river side area?
2. Which method of loading trucks is commonly used for each component in owerri west a case study of umuerim river side area?
3. What are the impact of sand harvesting on the environment and the land use in owerri west a case study of umuerim river side area?
4. IMPACT OF SAND HARVESTING ON ENVIRONMENT AND LAND USE IN OWERRI WEST A CASE STUDY OF UMUERIM RIVER SIDE AREA.

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