Environmental impact of quarrying on physicochemical properties of surface water in Ebonyi State Nigeria

PurposeEnvironmental pollution has increased as a result of modern settlements' expanding demand and rapid population growth. In Ebonyi State, Nigeria, quarrying is one of the activities that has an impact on the environment and ecosystem. The aim of the study is to assess stream water’s quality in order to ascertain how quarry operations affect the streams’ water quality. The present study investigated the environmental impact of quarrying on the physicochemical properties of surface water in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachA total of 288 surface water samples were taken in 2018, 2019 and 2020 from quarry locations and a Control location for the determination of physicochemical properties and heavy metal contents using standard analytical methods. Datasets were analysed using Fisher’s significance least difference (F-LSD) at the 0.05 probability level.FindingsThis study discovered that surface waters around quarries are severely polluted, according to the results of the physico-chemical and heavy metal contents of the surface waters. Most of the physical and chemical properties of the water downstream of the Ishiagu, Umuoghara and Ngbo did not meet World Health Organisation (WHO) standards, such as colour and pH. The heavy metal levels in the Ishiagu, Umuoghara and Ngbo streams were above WHO criteria for Pb, Cd and Fe. The results point to the obvious conclusion, without prejudice to other unexplained factors that the pollution is most likely the result of quarry contamination. Strict measures should be taken to regularly monitor the water quality of the streams.Originality/valueThis study focused on the assessment of physicochemical properties using standard analytical methods to evaluate the environmental impact of quarrying on surface water qualities. The study used the World Health Organisation (WHO, 2011) water guideline as a standard to compare with the study dataset and control measures.