This work examines the comparative study of activities of Sawmilling Industry on the Environment of two selected locations within Southern Nigeria, Lagos and Delta States between August 2008 and September 2009. The primary data were collected through oral interview and field experiments. While secondary data were from printed materials. The focus has been to compare the various waste generated, its uses and environmental impact on the two locations. Experiments were conducted in the rainy and dry season for the comparative study. The study has been divided into three main areas: volume of waste generated and various uses, effect of type of chain-saw machine used, and impact of sawmilling activities on the environment of the two locations. A natural logarithm transformation of the data was used for some datasets to satisfy assumption of normality and variance homogeneity, means and standard error were back transformed for presentation, specific treatment pairs were compared using a t-test.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Statement of the problem
1.2 Justification of the study
1.3 Objectives
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 The Nigerian environment
2.1.1 Danger due the environment
2.1.2 Threats to the marine environment
2.2 Utilization of forest resources
2.2.1 Wood processing technology and waste generation
2.2.2 Environmental degradation due to utilization of forest wood resources
2.2.2.1 Wood allergens
2.2.2.2 Noise pollution
2.2.2.3 Surface water recipient of large quantities of waste
2.2.2.4 Air quality
2.2.2.5 Wood utilization impact on the soil
2.3 History of sawmills
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Study area
3.2. Waste measurements
3.2.1 Waste generated
3.2.2 Analysis of sawmilling waste
3.2.3 Data Analysis
3.3 Environmental impact assessment
3.3.1 Determination of water quality
3.3.1.1 Water quality analysis
3.3.2 Noise survey
3.3.2.1 Chainsaw operating conditions
3.3.2.2 Sound pressure level measurement
3.3.2.3 Analysis of noise pollution
3.3.3. Air quality
3.3.4 Soil sampling
3.3.4.1 Soil analysis
3.3.4.2 Data analysis for soil
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Log parameters and waste
4.1.1 Total waste
4.1.2 Types of sawmilling waste
4.1.3 Bark volume
4.1.4 Sawdust
4.1.5. Kerfs and basics of saw blade selection
4.2. Noise quality
4.3 WATER CONDITIONS
4.4 Air quality
4.5 SOIL QUALITY
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Environmental justice
5.2 Effective use of residual by industries
5.3 Noise control
5.4 Sustainable management of water resources
5.4.1 Commercial use of the coastline
5.5 Need for further research and development
5.6 A sustainable Nigerian environment
Objectives and Research Focus
This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of sawmilling activities in two distinct geographical locations in Southern Nigeria, focusing on the environmental impacts of waste generation, the efficiency of machinery, and the overall degradation of local ecosystems.
- Analysis of sawmill waste volumes and management practices.
- Evaluation of the environmental impact on soil, air, and water quality.
- Comparison of chainsaw machine types and their operational efficiencies.
- Development of actionable recommendations for sustainable environmental management.
Excerpt from the Book
1. INTRODUCTION
It is quite obvious that as long as man continues to use resources, wastes are inevitable. According to Woodwell (1970) “everything modern man touches turns to waste product sooner or later”. And when wastes accumulate beyond a certain limit, it becomes impossible for natural processes in the ecosystems to harbour them. In this regard, it becomes a nuisance and can even be toxic.
It is now common knowledge that human activities tend to upset the balance, harmony and interdependence of the whole environment. As noted by Gregersen et al (1995), it is crucial for policy makers, interest groups and the public to obtain reliable information on the environmental, social and financial values of the forests in order to move towards optimum use and conservation of forests.
The most critical negative environmental impact of the activities of forest industries that requires urgent attention is the destruction of forest cover. Over the years, much exploitation of the forest has been carried out in order to meet the increasing demand of the teeming population. This has resulted in serious depletion of the resource base to the extent that some favoured timber species have become drastically reduced in number while others have become extinct in certain ecological zones. Geomatics (1998), reported that the land area occupied by high forest in Nigeria decreased by 11,254km2 between 1976 and 1995, while the land areas occupied by savannah decreased by 90,593km2 during the same period.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Summarizes the unavoidable nature of industrial waste and the critical need for environmental management due to the destruction of forest cover in Nigeria.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW: Reviews the status of the Nigerian environment, wood processing technologies, and the specific impacts of waste on air, water, and soil quality.
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Describes the methodology for data collection in Lagos and Sapele, including environmental sampling techniques for water, noise, and soil assessment.
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Presents the empirical findings on sawmill waste, noise pollution, water quality, air emissions, and soil chemical properties at the study sites.
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Provides a final assessment on environmental justice and sustainable industrial practices, proposing strategies for policy implementation and waste reduction.
Keywords
Sawmilling, Environmental Impact, Waste Generation, Deforestation, Water Pollution, Air Quality, Soil Contamination, Heavy Metals, Noise Pollution, Sustainability, Nigeria, Resource Management, Industrial Waste, Ecosystem Degradation, Forestry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this study?
This study evaluates the comparative environmental impact of sawmilling industry activities in two specific locations in Southern Nigeria, focusing on waste management and ecological degradation.
What are the main thematic areas covered?
The work covers waste volume generation, wood processing technology, the environmental effects of sawmilling on air, soil, and water, and the social aspects of environmental justice.
What is the core objective of the research?
The core objective is to determine the volume of waste generated, the effects of different chainsaw machines, and the broader environmental impact of sawmilling in order to provide evidence-based recommendations for policy makers.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The study utilizes field experiments, site sampling for air, water, and soil analysis, statistical modeling, and comparative t-tests to evaluate environmental parameters.
What does the main part of the thesis address?
The main body examines log parameters, sawmilling waste types, specific noise levels, the chemical composition of water and soil at impacted sites, and the quality of air in industrial regions.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Sawmilling, Environmental Impact, Waste Generation, Water Pollution, Soil Contamination, and Sustainable Resource Management.
How does sawmill waste specifically affect water bodies in the study?
The study notes that sawmill waste, including sawdust and wood extractives, contributes to significant water pollution, high BOD levels, and the depletion of dissolved oxygen in the Benin River.
What did the analysis of noise pollution reveal?
The research found that noise levels at the sawmilling sites consistently exceeded safety guidelines, often reaching values above 90 decibels, posing significant health risks to workers.
How is human bioaccessibility related to soil quality in this study?
The thesis estimates human bioaccessibility of heavy metals by analyzing the relationship between pseudototal content, soil texture, and organic matter to determine the potential health risks in urban and industrial areas.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Sonigitu Ekpe (Autor:in), 2011, Comparative study of activities of Sawmilling Industry on the Environment of two selected locations within Southern Nigeria, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/176081
