Impact of Sand Mining on Soil and Water Quality Along Addo – Baddore Road, Ajah, Lagos State, Nigeria
Publication Date: 28/05/2020
Author(s): Ogungbe A.S., Babatunde O.S., Alabi A.A., Coker J.O..
Volume/Issue: Volume 3 , Issue 3 (2020)
Abstract:
Thick pile of well sorted sand of good construction grade exists along the bay of Addo-Baddore, Ajah axis of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria. This was responsible for the sitting of several sand mining depots along the shore axis of the area. This study was carried out to study the impact of sand mining on soil and water along this axis, with a view to ascertaining the level of degradation on the environment and groundwater contamination. Four locations were considered. They are: Blenco 1 (Active Mine), Blenco 2 (Abandoned Mine), Oke-Ira-Nla and Baddore. Laboratory analyses of water and sediments, as well as geophysical survey, using 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging (Wenner) were used. Findings revealed high turbidity values that exceeded the NIS set standard of 5 NTU in all the locations. Pollution from fecal coliforms and heterotrophic bacteria existed in the groundwater within the region with values far above WHO and NIS set standard of 100 CFU/ml. Low resistivity value ranging from 2.59 Ωm to 106 Ωm, was observed at Blenco 1, Blenco 2 and Oke-Ira-Nla. This is an indication of degradation, unstable and erosion prone zone. At Baddore, a high resistivity value of up to 2807 Ωm was observed, indicating an un-degraded stable zone. This study highlights the call for awareness of all the stakeholders in the area for close monitoring of mining activities.
