Negative Impact Of The Bauxite Mining Industry Environmental Sciences Essay

Negative involve Of The Bauxite Mining In spread bring ou savour Environmental Sciences EssayThis study is an investigation into the banish clash of the bauxite tap in circularizery on the f locaternity of Myersville, St. Elizabeth. The research exit entailWhat argon the contradict impacts that the archeological site sedulousness has on the community of Myersville?What atomic number 18 the effect of the negative impacts that the community is faced with?How put up the negative impacts be wholeeviated?LITERATURE REVIEWAccording to Effects of befoulment by Scott Foresman, befoulment is defined as the addition of every message or form of energy to the purlieu at a rate faster than the environment can accommodate it by dispersion, decomposition, recycling, or store in some harmless form. The processing of alumina at ALPART generates dust thus emitting caustic soda and other waste products such as red dirty trailing and gases.Mr. Williams, personnel from the Rural Agric ultural growing Authority (RADA) forwardice in St. Elizabeth explained that certain tests eat been conducted on crops in which they afford ruled out diseases and insects and cod pointed to the dust emanating from the bauxite mining localize located in Nain, St. Elizabeth, as the main cause of the problems affecting residents crops.Mc Farlene O.A (2000), a draft author on the internet, said the major environment problem caused by the manufacturing is the disposal of the tailing, which forms an alkaline mud. These red mud lakes rooted in the percololation of caustic residues (sodium) into the underground aquifers in local beas. The environmental impact of Jamaicas bauxite mining symbolizes the majority of mining or heavy industrial operation. Bauxite mining, which is considered as surface mining, is fetch ex ecstasysive, noisy and dusty. Mining pits atomic number 18 oftentimes interspersed within small rural communities, on that pointfore requiring companies to relocate the people and or to m wizardtarily incubate them. An increasing appertain is the loss of habitat for Jamaicas unique plant and quick creature species likewise bauxite mining severely affects the piddle retention capability of the malicious gossip. The Jamaica mining act of 1947 reads exploits to remove top soil before mining, and restore it as part of the reclamation process. Two other environmental impacts of great concern is dust and caustic soda contamination. During a visit to ALPART port facility, stinting officials observed a considerable amount of alumina spilled on the quayage and a cloud of dust being carried downwind from loading equipment. It has been argued that the dust is chemicly inert however, it adversely affects the respiratory system, pollutes the residential cistern, and defaces property. The degradation of Jamaicas keen coral reefs along its south coast is as a result of alumina spilling during ship loading.An article titled Tailing wash-out result in death in Jamaica (2005, September 7) stated that a remediate mine tailing atomic number 18a in Myersville, Jamaica became a water grave for quintet people on July 16,2005, when heavy rainfall from hurricane Emily washed their car off a road and over a precipice. According to Lance Neita, ALPARTs ordinary relation manager, the bauxite mine which was digged thirty years ago belongs to ALPART and had been restored, rehabilitated and certified. Jamaica National clobber Agency (NWA) spokesman Stephen Shaw, said that erosion had taken place at the berth and guard rails should have been installed. The author of the report concludes that the ALPART tradition has been to slow local protest rather than to eliminate the source of the environmental problem. in that respect has been ongoing protest in Jamaica about the health and environment be of the bauxite and alumina operation.The writer Rampersad Ramsawak ( 2005) states that industries pollute water in a sort of ways and t hat in the first instance chemical plants such as oil refining, ammonia and urea plants release waste such as sulphur oxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere. When it rains, the water becomes polluted with these chemicals thus forming pane rain. Acid rain contributes to fishes being killed in rivers and lakes similarly the soil becomes caustic and this stultifies the growth of plants and accelerates the corrosion of metal achievement on buildings.Rampersad also said that randomness pollution can be meliorated by the execution of instrument of legislations which prohibits echo levels over 80 decibels in residential atomic number 18as and also that persons should be educated on the effects of racket pollution. data COLLECTIONMyersville is a substantial community that has approximately two hundred (200) house holders. In rule to collect accurate data for the survey, the researcher decided to use primary winding and secondary sources of data collection in the form of questionn zephyres, interviews, textbooks and newspaper articles.The publicize of questionnaires was unitary of the most sui delay form of data collection because they require little time to be completed responses ar gathered in a standardized way information can be amass from a large portion of a group also respondents t unity confident in disseminating information because confidentiality is guaranteed and last but non least(prenominal) questionnaires can be completed at the convenience of the respondents in a relatively quick way.In coif to receive accurate information, it was figure that approximately cardinal (20) citizens inputs would be ideal. And these xx (20) persons would account for 10% of the creation of the two hundred (200) household members (10% of 200=20). These citizens were selected randomly by placing thirty (30) names in a box after which the box was ener cohereically shaken and the twenty (20) names ascertained.Twenty three (23) questio nnaires were prepared and turn over out to residents, with three (3) being additional in case all were not completed. Upon the distribution of the questionnaires, residents were attached a time write of genius (1) week in which to complete the questionnaires. However, at the end of the time frame given to residents, the researcher only needed twenty (20) out of the twenty three (23) that were issued.Alongside the questionnaires, interviews were conducted with some of the citizens who did not receive a questionnaire. The carrying out of interviews with the residents proved useful as the researcher was able to adapt the questions as necessary, clarify doubt, and realise that the responses are properly understood by reword and repeating the questions. The researcher could also pick up non verbal cues in detecting any form of discomfort, stress and problems that the respondent is experiencing.PRESENTATION OF information portend 1 Column Bar chart showing that lxx quin part (75 %) of the respondents spicy within 1 5 miles from the mining persistence, ten pct (10%) live within 6 10, five share (5%) live within 11- 15 and five per centum (5%) live within16 miles and over.TYPES OF befoulment AFFECTING THE RESIDENTSType of pollutionPercentage of respondentsAir pollution15% pissing Pollution15%Land Pollution10% complete 100%Noise Pollution60% tabularize 1 circuit board showing that sixty pct (60%) of the respondents are affected by make echo pollution, 15 per centum (15%) individually is affected by air and water pollution and the remaining ten percent (10%) is affected by take down pollution.Figure 2 Pyramid showing that sixty percent (60%) of the respondents are affected by pollution everyday, thirty-five percent (35%) is affected sporadically and five percent (5%) is not affected any at all.Figure 3 The above pie chart depicts alter caused by pollution.Thirty five (35%) said it causes worthless crop yield and infertile soil, thirty (30%) re spectively said the water gets contaminated and animals are affected and five percent (5%) said it causes irate rain.Figure 4 Donut showing honorariums true toward strong-arm.Thirty five percent (35%) of the respondents say that the company refills the tank with snowy water, twenty five (25%) said that the company replaces their roofing material twenty percent (20%) said that the company leases lands for farming, fifteen (15%) said that there is recompense for property damage and five percent (5%) that there is no compensation.Table showing compensations have towards healthCompensationsPercentage of respondentsProvide health separate45%Ask citizens to bring medical bill to company30%Relocate citizens25%Deny responsibilities0%Table 2 shows that the compensations received towards health are that the citizens are provided with health card game and a congeries of forty five percent (45%) said this, 30% said that the citizens are asked to bring the medical bill to the company tw enty five percent (25%) said that they relocate citizens and 0% said that they deny responsibilities.Figure 5 Pie chart showing that 100% of the respondents said that an anti-pollution method has been implemented.INTERPRETATION OF DATAThis survey is to find out what are the negative impacts that the mining patience(ALPART) has on the citizens of Myersville, the effects of these negative impacts and how these negative impacts can be alleviated.Figure 1 illustrates that 15 out of 20 respondents live between 1 to 5 miles from the manufacture, two (2) live within 6-10 miles and 11 15 miles and superstar (1) live within 16 miles and over. Persons living within one to five (1 -5) miles whitethorn be as a result of the availability of resources such as fertile soil for farming. These persons who choose to live there because of the fertile soil for farming whitethorn be one that grows and sells food items for a living. Also, a persons job may have caused them to live within such a clo se law of proximity to the industry as it is easier for them to get to work from there as it more economical for them. Those who live within six to ten (6 10) miles may be because of inheritance and often times when lands are familial persons do not bother to relocate, instead they live there and try to make themselves and their family members happy. The person living within eleven to fifteen (11 15) miles and 16 (16) miles and over may be because they had no choice that person not having any choice could be because they were in search of a fleck of land on which to settle and build their house and this plot of land that they came upon was of a reasonable price so the person just went forward and bought it. not having any choice could also be that that person was brought up in that community and when they came of age in which they could move out, they did not have the necessary resources such as money to move out and get on with their life.The types of pollution were depicted by figure 2. Noise pollution, having the most percentage, a total of sixty percent (60%) results from the heavy duty machines when they are extracting bauxite from the earth. Very loud noises accompany these machines when they are in use and noise can be very disturbing whether you are near or far away from it. Noise most times poses as a hindrance in one getting enough rest hence, this results in frustration. Fifteen percent (15%) of the respondents are affected by air pollution, this may be so because of the dust that is uprooted during the processing of the bauxite dust would be one of the main causes of air pollution. Water pollution is affected by fifteen percent (15%) of the respondents. This can be as a result of the chemical and dust that is in the air. In addition, it also results from oil spillage from ships that are docking in the harbor. Only ten percent (10%) stated that they are affected by land pollution. Land pollution is caused by debris that is washed on to the la nd and by negligent people who urge of their garbage inappropriately. Also, in open cast mining, huge holes are dug in the ground and these form dangerously deep mining pools. A lot of mining waste is left behind and these waste often contain several poisonous substances that seep into underground water.Sixty percent (60%) of the respondents said that they are affected every day. This is so because of the close proximity that they live to the mining industry. This would be within the surmount range of one to five (1 5) miles. Thirty-five percent (35%) stated that they are affected periodically this means that they are affected occasionally. In addition, these residents who are affected may be live within the range of six to fifteen (6- 15) miles. And this distance is much further away from the industry so the residents would not be affected as often as those who live at a closer proximity to the industry. Five (5%) percent is not affected any at all. These residents who are not a ffected would be those who are living sixteen (16) miles and over.Thirty five percent (35%) from figure 4 suggested that poor crop yield was one of the major damages caused by pollution this would be due to the fact that there is a removal of the surface soil during the extraction of bauxite. The topsoil contains all the essential nutrients needed for plant growth. Also, acid rain washes away nutrients from the topsoil, thus making it infertile. Residents say that animals are affected and there is a contamination of water. These responses account for thirty percent (30%) of the respondents respectively. Water becomes contaminated by the excessive dust and other impurities that are in the atmosphere and when consumed can cause great harm to the body. The contamination of water, removal of trees and pastures contributes to the loss of biodiversity. Acid rain being five percent (5%) affects residents cornerstone by corroding metals, burning up plants, affecting animals and contaminat ing insobriety water.There was some compensation that the Myersville community members receive towards physical damages. Among these compensations, the switch of water tanks with absolved water was the highest, having a total of thirty five percent (35%). This is so because the water is contaminated by acid rain and other impurities that are in the air and knowing that water is one of the basic necessities for survival, the industry therefore ensures that the residents have clean water for consumption. 25 percent (25%) of the residents says that the industry replaces roofing materials. Here it can be seen that the industry takes responsibility for damages done to residents roofing materials. These damages done to roof is said to have been caused by acid rain. Another compensation that the industry offers is paying for property damage, as was said by fifteen (15%) of the respondents. space damages could also have been caused by acid rain, as it causes the pigment on buildings to strip. Five percent (5%) said that no compensation was given this could be as a result of them not having any indicate to prove to the industry that the industry affects them in some way. These persons could also have been those who live at a far distance away from the industry.Not only is compensation given towards physical damages but also it is given towards residents health. A number of health problems that residents face are asthma attacks, lung cancer, allergies, difficulty breathing. Furthermore, a resident that was interviewed gave the response that the giving medication of the industry causes sinus irritation and bronchitis. As a result of these ailments, forty five percent (45%) of the respondents said that they are given health cards as a means of reducing the cost of medications. Thirty percent (30%) of the respondents said that they are asked to bring their medical prescription to the company. This serves as a means of proving that the industry does have a negative i mpact on residents health. Another compensation offered towards residents health is that the company relocates them. This would be for residents who are vulnerable to the negative impacts that the administration of the industry poses on their health (mainly the elderly). Residents never gave a response to the industry denying their responsibilities. This goes to show that the company is aware of different health issues that persons experience overtime due to the production process that is undertaken by the industry.One hundred percent (100%) of the respondents including those from the interview said that there has been an implementation of an anti-pollution method. One of the interviewee said that this may take the form of the industry reducing working hours, oiling and wetting the roads to reduce excess dust also the company relocates residents that are at risk of being affected by the running of the company.FINDINGSAfter receiving the responses from the questionnaire and intervi ew, it can be seen that pollution is a major problem although the industry is seek to alleviate it.Myersville is affected by pollution resulting from the Alpart mining industry.The researcher embed out that there are three (3) major types of pollution affecting the residents, namely noise, air, and water with noise being the most unbearable one as stated by sixty percent (60%) of the residents in table 1.It was also found out that residents that live relatively close to the industry are affected every day.Discovery was made that damages caused by the pollution are as follows infertile soil, contaminated water and animals are affected with infertile soil being the highest, a total of 35%. This is evident in figure 3.Compensations are given towards physical damages in the form of replacing of roofing materials, refilling of water tanks with clean water, and leasing lands for farming. However, refilling tanks with clean water accounts for the highest percentage (35%) and this can be seen in figure 4.Not only there are compensations given towards physical damages but also towards health. These compensations include provision of health cards and asking the residents to bring medical bills to the company. But out of the two, the provision of the health cards is the highest with a percentage of (45%) as can be seen in table 2.Upon the completion of the project, the researcher found out that there has been an implementation of an anti-pollution method.The smoke and dust that is emitted from the industry during the production process causing air and water pollution. The noise and the poor disposal of solid waste have also caused land and noise pollution, these pollution have caused infrastructural, agricultural, environmental and health problems to citizens on a regular basis.Before the company takes responsibility for the effects that the company has on residents, they investigate to get proof that the damage was sincerely caused by the industry.RECOMMENDATONSDurin g the investigation, the researcher found out that the industry is trying to alleviate the problem however, the researcher would recommend the following measuresBefore the commencing of work on a daily basis the road should be wet or oiled so as to reduce excess dust this should also be done on days when there is no work in progress.The company should practice afforestation and reafforestation this will help to reduce noise pollution and soil erosion.The company could provide residents with reservoirs that is free from pollutants and is properly cover the aim behind this is to ensure that resident always have a clean supply for consumption.Residents could be provided with ear protectors and dust masks so as to dampen the level of noise and lessen the harmful effect it poses on ones hearing ability and to lessen their intake of dust.Also, the industry could contribute to the using of the community in education by establishing an early childhood mental institution and also community centers also they can assist school children with fiscal assistance.The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is responsible for the implementation of programmes to ensure that air pollution is controlled. Therefore, what they could do is to monitor Alparts operation in order to ensure that excess dust is not being emitted from the industry that poses as a threat to ones health.