Impact of Quarrying on Soil Degradation: Assessment and Modeling

The activities of aggregate quarries result in pollution of soil and the possible loss of soil fertility and destruction of ecosystems. This pollution is quantified in this study and the future evolution will be predicted using the ARIMA model. The results indicate the presence of severe alkalinization (pH 9.00), salinization (electrical conductivity of 7900 µS/cm), and precipitation of calcium carbonate (80%). Organic matter values drop to 0.05% which has grave implications for soil fertility. Predictions indicate a continuing deterioration, the limits of soil quality is surpassed in the future, in particular for the agricultural soils. While the impact diminishes with distance from the quarry there is uncertainty surrounding cation exchange capacity, and consequently the accompanying mechanisms are complex. The study emphasizes that management plans will have to implement sustainable practices in order to reverse the soil degeneration and protect ecosystems at the sites of quarrying.