IMPACT OF QUARRYING AND CRUSHING ON SOIL QUALITY: A CASE STUDY IN TUMKUR DISTRICT, KARNATAKA

Abstract

A study was carried out on the impact of quarrying and crushing waste on the quality of soil in Tumkur District. The quarries located in different parts of Tumkur District produces quarry wastes (aggregates), blasted materials (fly rocks), chemicals (explosives used for blasting) and dust (granite powder) generated from activity are spread and settled in the surrounding area. The soil samples were collected both near and away from the quarry and crushing sites. The collected samples were analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters viz temperature, pH, EC, organic carbon, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, iron and boron using standard methods. The results revealed the deterioration of soil quality near the quarrying and crushing sites and this can be attributed due to the accumulation of dust. The soil properties are less affected away from the quarry sites.