Effects of Cement Dust on Soil Chemical Properties in the Calabar Environment, Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Some chemical properties of soils around the Calabar Cement Company operational area were studied from three profile pits sited at the crest, upper slope, and middle slope topographic positions. The results showed that the soil pH was moderately to slightly acid (mean 5.8), organic-matter content was moderate (mean 2.54%), total N (N) content was low (mean 0.04%), and available phosphorus (P) was high (mean 87.43 mg/kg). Exchangeable calcium (Ca) content was moderate to high (3.02 to 7.44 cmol/kg) in the surface soil; most samples had low magnesium (Mg) content (mean 0.25 cmol/kg), medium concentration of exchangeable potassium (K) (mean 0.10 cmol/kg), and medium to high exchangeable sodium (Na) (0.27 to 1.38 cmol/kg). The exchange acidity was low (mean 1.58 cmol/kg), and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) had low to medium (2.50 to 15.17 cmol/kg) values. The percentage of base saturation was high with most soils having values greater than 50% (mean 70.8%). The moderate to high content of Ca and the favorable pH in the soils of the study area are uncommon in the coastal plain soils of southern Nigeria; these, therefore, were readily attributable to the continuous deposition of cement dusts on the surface and leaching into deeper horizons.

Evaluation of Fertility Status of Soils under Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) in Akamkpa and Odukpani Local Government Areas of Cross River State, Nigeria

“…Generally, tropical soils usually have low nitrogen [24]. This agrees with Ibanga et al [25] who stated in Calabar that a mean value of 0.4 g/kg total nitrogen is low in Calabar environment.…”

Trace metals in topsoils near the Babylon Cement Factory (Euphrates River) and human health risk assessment

“…Emissions from cement industry activities are known to provide a large contribution of particulate matter (PM) to the atmosphere and to the surrounding soils via both wet and dry deposition (Al-Khashman and Shawabkeh 2006). Despite the global importance of cement plants, there are few published studies regarding the extent of pollution caused by this industry (Al-Omran and Maghraby 2011; Saralabai and Vivekanadau 1995;Zerrouqi et al 2008;Al-Khashman and Shawabkeh 2006;Ibanga et al 2008;Bermudez et al 2010); datasets on environmental levels and the associated health risks of the cement industry are very scarce (Schuhmacher et al 2004(Schuhmacher et al , 2009. A previous study on soil samples near a cement factory in southern Jordan reported that the highest concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cd were measured in the soil that was closest to the cement factory (Al-Khashman and Shawabkeh 2006); the same elements were affected by cement plant activities in Córdoba City, Argentina (Bermudez et al 2010) and in Saudi Arabia (Al-Omran and Maghraby 2011).…”

Compound Effect of Cement Dust Emitted by Closely Located Cement Plants on Soil of Nokha (Bikaner)

“…The humidity is highest in August with mean daily relative humidity is 71% in morning and 52 % in the evening 7 . It is located between latitude 27 To study the effect of cement dust, whole area around three cement plants namely; Sarvottam cement plant located at Chakara village (Nokha); Tiger cement plant and Nokha cement plant located in RIICO industrial area at a distance 500 m from each other, whole area around the plants was divided into four radiant directions of east, south, west and north in clockwise manner 8,9 . Soil sample were taken at surface and 15 cm depth at 100m, 500m, 1km, 2km and 3 km distance (10 samples each) in plastic bags of ½ kg each.…”

“…The main objective of this study is to assess the impact of dust given out by the nearby located cement plants on the physiochemical characteristic of the soil in their vicinity 5,6 . Further to check whether dust emitted from them has some compound effect on the soil in any direction.…”