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Environmental Impacts of Geomaterials Exploitation in the Republic of Congo
Noël Watha-Ndoudy,
Claude Melaine Dipakama,
Jean de Dieu Nzila,
Victor Kimpouni,
Dieudonné Louembé
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, June 2022
Pages:
47-61
Received:
18 March 2022
Accepted:
14 April 2022
Published:
7 May 2022
Abstract: Geomaterials are extracted everywhere in Congo, generally without environmental and social impact studies. The objective of this study was to assess their exploitation and the associated environmental consequences. Data were collected through interviews and field surveys. A total of 163 quarry sites (17% industrial and 83% artisanal) were studied, with an annual production of nearly 52 million tons. The activity is carried out either in the open air or in water. Three types of materials are exploited: soft (65%), hard (35%) and smooth (0.1%). The activity is mainly centered around urban agglomerations, and sand and gravel are the most prized geomaterials, regardless of the type of exploitation. The geomaterials exploited come either from primary rocks (granite and quartzite) or from the products of their dismantling (accumulations of gravel, sandstone, recent sands or laterites). The various mining processes use, from extraction to finishing, incoming flows in the form of consumable materials (oils, greases, tires, etc.), in the form of energy (fuel, electricity, etc.), and in the form of water, in the form of energy (hydrocarbons, engines or explosives), water and outflows in the form of solid (abandoned gravel heaps), atmospheric (dust, gas, vapors) and liquid (lubricants, fuels, water for washing materials) discharges that induce various pollutions that affect all the compartments of the environment (physical environment, biodiversity, health and human well-being). The impacts of artisanal mining are mostly medium and minor, with only 18% of major impacts, in contrast to industrial mining, which generates 55% of major impacts and appears to be the most degrading for the environment. Despite of the legislative and regulatory texts, the exploitation sites are abandoned without any rehabilitation, which impacts the environment for a long time. To impulse a sustainable management of the activity, proposals have been made.
Abstract: Geomaterials are extracted everywhere in Congo, generally without environmental and social impact studies. The objective of this study was to assess their exploitation and the associated environmental consequences. Data were collected through interviews and field surveys. A total of 163 quarry sites (17% industrial and 83% artisanal) were studied, ...
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Physico-chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Groundwater for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes in Santchou (Cameroon Western Highlands)
Magha Alice Mufur,
Margaret Tita Awah,
Primus Azinwi Tamfuh,
Aduck Jovens Nyangang,
Agien Gilbert Njei,
Kamgang Kabeyene Veronique Beyela
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, June 2022
Pages:
62-73
Received:
30 April 2022
Accepted:
6 June 2022
Published:
14 June 2022
Abstract: Groundwater quality is a function of the enclosing aquifer materials and/or human influences. Therefore, frequent water quality surveillance is essential as the subsurface resource is a main source of water supply in Santchou, Cameroon Western Highlands. In order to carry out the inquiries, 24 groundwater samples were collected during the wet period (July 2020) as well as during the dry season (February 2021) from springs, a borehole and hand-dug wells. The water samples were tested in the field for pH, electrical conductivity and turbidity, while two separate water samples were obtained from each sampling point for chemical and bacteriological parameters in the laboratory. The main results revealed that the studied groundwater samples are weakly mineralised, with a slightly acidic pH. The major ionic constituents of the sampled sources were within acceptable limits prescribed by the World Health Organisation except for Mg2+ and Cl- that were noted in excess of the recommended values at some sites. Piper plot indicated that the water is essentially of Na-K-Cl-SO4 type while the Gibbs diagram showed that hydrochemistry was predominantly due to rock-weathering. SAR (sodium absorption ratio) values, Na % (sodium percentage) and TH (total hardness) revealed that the water is suitable for irrigational practices. Microbiological pollutants such as Enterobacteria, E. coli, Streptococcus spp, Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, Vibrio spp and Staphylococcus spp were noticed in the water samples, and hence consumers’ health may be compromised if basic treatment methods like boiling and filtration are not performed before the water is used for drinking.
Abstract: Groundwater quality is a function of the enclosing aquifer materials and/or human influences. Therefore, frequent water quality surveillance is essential as the subsurface resource is a main source of water supply in Santchou, Cameroon Western Highlands. In order to carry out the inquiries, 24 groundwater samples were collected during the wet perio...
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Proposal for an Environmental Management System with Clean Production
João Pedro Braga Teixeira
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, June 2022
Pages:
74-81
Received:
20 May 2022
Accepted:
2 June 2022
Published:
14 June 2022
Abstract: Several factors, such as the current environmental degradation, the increase in legal penalties and the growing awareness of the market, have disseminated in organizations the need to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS), mainly seeking to comply with the relevant legislation and improve its image with the market. However, in order only to obtain the desired certification against ISO 14001, many companies do not take advantage of this opportunity to adopt modern and proactive environmental technologies, such as Clean Production (PL), capable of optimizing the use of resources and preventing pollution. The implementation of the PL provides greater cost reduction and increased profitability, as, in addition to favoring source control measures, it seeks greater eco-efficiency in the use of natural resources. PL addresses the complete cycle of products or processes, identifying opportunities and solutions in relation to the challenge of avoiding or minimizing inherent waste, reducing costs with its treatment and destination, adding value throughout its production chain. This article presents a proposal for the implementation of an EMS, considering the requirements and format of ISO 14001, integrated with the principles of PL, at all stages of the system. At the end, a differential synthesis of this proposal in relation to the traditional EMS is also presented.
Abstract: Several factors, such as the current environmental degradation, the increase in legal penalties and the growing awareness of the market, have disseminated in organizations the need to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS), mainly seeking to comply with the relevant legislation and improve its image with the market. However, in order on...
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