Pollutants Concentration during the Construction and Operation Stages of a Long Tunnel: A Case Study of Lowari Tunnel, (Dir–Chitral), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Long tunnels with significant overburden, changeable geological conditions, a steep gradient, water infiltration, and heavy traffic flow are susceptible to environmental concerns during both construction and operation. The availability of fresh air and visibility is the most important necessity in excavation for tunnel workers inside the tunnel during the construction phase, as well as those crossing the tunnel during operation. Lowari Tunnel’s tunnel air pollutants were researched. Carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NO), ammonia (NH3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), PM1, PM2.5, PM10, air velocity, dust morphological and particle size distribution analysis are among the parameters under consideration. The findings provide evidence for the development of tunnel air quality.

Aggregate Evaluation and Geochemical Investigation of Limestone for Construction Industries in Pakistan: An Approach for Sustainable Economic Development

“…FI and El are physical properties that are related to the shape of the aggregate fragments. Higher values indicate lower strength and anisotropic properties when used as aggregate for road and concrete [19,61]. The soundness value ranges from 1.3 to 1.9% (1.6%), which shows that all the aggregate samples of the SSF are well within the permissible range (<12%) of ASTM C88-05 [49].…”

Lowari Tunnel Water Quality Evaluation: Implications for Tunnel Support, Potable Water Supply, and Irrigation in Northwestern Himalayas, Pakistan

“…The south and north portals of the tunnel are located at 35°18′59.39″ N and 71°50′08.17″ E, and 35°22′41.11″ N and 71°47′05.19″ E, respectively. The tunnel has a south-to-north slope of 1.8% and a maximum overburden of 1100 m, and experiences significant water infiltration during the snowmelt period between April and September, as well as due to excessive rainfall, localized flooding, spring divergence, and disturbance of underground aquifers [43]. The drainage pattern of the Lowari Tunnel and surrounding area is illustrated in Figure 1.…”

“…All measured parameters were found to fall within the normal range, except for the pH value, which was observed to be low (5.21). The low pH value is attributed to the presence of CO 2 inside the tunnel, which was quantified as 14,000 ppm by [43]. According to [45], higher CO 2 concentrations are known to result in lower pH values.…”

Composition, Texture, and Weathering Controls on the Physical and Strength Properties of Selected Intrusive Igneous Rocks from Northern Pakistan

“…The Indian Plate, the Kohistan Island Arc (KIA), and the Eurasian Plate make up Pakistan's northern region [19][20][21][22]. Mansehra granite, Malakand granite, Utla granite, Ambala granite, Chakdara granite, Swat granite, and various dolerites in the form of dykes are among the intrusive igneous rocks that might be recommended as suitable building materials.…”