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Udom, I. J.
Agricultural Engineering Department, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Akwa Ibom State
ABSTRACT
Floodplain aggregate is
cheaper to extract but its extraction increases the vulnerability of the
landscape and converts floodplain riparian land into open pits which typically
intersect the groundwater and increases sediment load to streams. Akwa Ibom
State has numerous floodplains supporting intensified aggregate extraction and
agriculture and, there is rising concern on the impacts of this practice on
agricultural land loss and water quality. The objective of this study was to
investigate the extent of aggregate extraction in the mining locations, impact
of aggregate extraction on land loss and irrigation water quality in the
floodplain. Purposive sampling of tipper drivers was used to obtain qualitative
information on the locations and nature of mining operations and magnitude of
aggregate extraction in the locations. Between 2012 and 2017, a total of 115168
m3 of aggregate was extracted from the floodplains while a corresponding
285 ha of land was lost to floodplain mining operations. Increases of 102.7%
and 189.45% in floodplain aggregate mines and quantity of aggregate extracted
from the floodplains respectively show the progressiveness of floodplain
mining. Since aggregates must continue to support infrastructural development,
this study recommends extensive use of crushed rocks supplemented by instream
aggregates, legislation for sustainable and agriculture-friendly aggregate
extraction policy.
Keywords: Soil and water conservation, floodplain aggregate, extraction operations, water quality, agriculture
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Published
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Issue
Vol. 4 No. 2, DEC 2018
Article Section
GENERAL
The contents of the articles are the sole opinion of the author(s) and not of UJET.
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