Effect of cement dust on soil physico-chemical properties around cement plants in Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya

Abstract

Investigation was carried out to assess the effect of cement dust deposition on the physico-chemical properties of soil near some cement plants in Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. Soil samples were collected and analysed and compared with the control site. Comparison of various soil physico-chemical parameters revealed that cement dust emanating from cement plants has changed the soil quality in the surrounding areas of cement plants. The normal soil pH in the area is generally acidic. However, due to the continuous deposition of cement dust soil pH was found slightly alkaline near the cement plants. The higher values of soil parameters such as electrical conductivity and bulk density were also noticed near the cement plants. However, lower values of water holding capacity, soil moisture content, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen content were found compared to the control sites. The effect of cement dust deposition on soil is more in areas nearer to the cement plants. At present the changes may not be so serious but if this trend continues, soil properties of a vast area around the cement plants are likely to change leading to multiple effects on flora, fauna and socio-economy of the area.

Assessment of Effect of Cement Dust from Cement Factory on Elemental Properties of Some Cultivated Crops, Obajana, Kogi State, Nigeria

“…This implies that the concentration of nitrogen increases with increase in distance to the cement factory. The decrease in nitrogen concentration could be as a result of burning of plant residues during farming operations, leaching and the high rate of organic-matter decomposition as well as continuous cropping which promotes rapid mineralization and absorption of nitrogen [18]. The findings also agree with [19] who carried out similar research at Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya.…”

Standardized experimental model for cement dust exposure; tissue heavy metal bioaccumulation and pulmonary pathological changes in rats

“…Similar evidence was recently reported by [ 31 ] who found significantly high levels of heavy metal in visceral organs of rats co-exposed to cadmium and lead, and [ 32 ] who similarly found significantly high levels of heavy metals in various tissues of snails picked around cement factory. Also, in plant physiology, similar evidence has been reported where heavy metallic constituents of cement dust have been demonstrated to leach into the soil around cement factory site causing a significantly higher proportion of toxic metal within the factory neighborhood [ 2 , 33 , 34 ]. Recently, our laboratory reported an increase in plasma concentration of heavy metals following exposure to cement particles [ 24 ].…”

“…Cement industries constitute a notable source of environmental toxicants [ 1 , 2 ] encountered during the manufacturing, distribution, and utilization of cement product. Occupational and environmental exposure to cement dust has been known to precede a number of systemic injuries with particular reference to the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and integumentary systems characterized by fibrosis, emphysema, cough, cancer, inflammation, and liver diseases among workers and host community residents of cement factories [ 3 , 4 ].…”

Mechanical Properties, Curing Mechanism, and Microscopic Experimental Study of Polypropylene Fiber Coordinated Fly Ash Modified Cement–Silty Soil

“…Moreover, the large-scale use of cement not only causes high cost and waste of resources, but it also emits a large amount of carbon dioxide and dust when producing cement, which easily leads to the greenhouse effect and air pollution [ 5 ]. In addition, cement dust can affect the acidity and alkalinity of the soil, which in turn can cause crop yield reduction and other hazards [ 6 ]. In conclusion, finding other environmentally friendly materials to replace some of the cement and improving the engineering properties of plain cement–soils are the desirable strategies to improve the utilization of poor soils.…”