ISSN 2375-1266
Research Article
African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management ISSN 2375-1266 Vol. 5 (4), pp. 288-297, September, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Methodology of the community noise environmental quality assessment: A case study of Indian iron ore mining complex
A. K. Gorai1* and A. K. Pal2
1Environmental Science and Engineering Group, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand – 835215, India.
2Department of Environmental Engineering, Indian School of Mines University, Dhanbad, Jharkhand-826004, India.
Accepted 02 January, 2018
Abstract
Community noise is a term used generally to refer to noise exposure outside the industrial work place. This paper highlights the procedure of determining the noise environmental quality in residential/ commercial/ sensitive areas situated near the industrial (iron ore mining) complex. The noise environmental qualities (NEQ) for each locality were determine from value function curves developed for each noise impact parameters identified. The study reveals that almost all the areas register noise stress situations as the observed resultant noise environmental quality [NEQ(R)] at all the locations exceeding the desirable noise environmental quality [NEQ(R)] of the corresponding locations. The poor noise environmental quality and its associated harmful consequences demand incorporation of effective noise control mechanism in order to reduce the noise stress significantly.
Key words: Noise, impact assessment, iron ore mining.
A. K. Gorai*, A. K. Pal
Page: 288 - 297
Research Article
African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management ISSN 2375-1266 Vol. 5 (3), pp. 283-287, August, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Water utilization and population demography in South Africa: Some ethical and human rights issues
Brian Mugabi
University of KwaZulu Natal South Africa. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 25 June, 2018
Abstract
In addition to being a universal human right, access to sufficient water is a constitutional right in the Republic of South Africa. The Constitutional Bill of Rights gives South African citizens the right to reproductive choices. Globally, population numbers are ever growing and water, being finite continues to be scarcer. The concern over universal access to safe freshwater under these circumstances is a matter that authorities and environmentalists are grappling with. The aim of this study was to interrogate variance in legal and ethical framework relating to the various rights, namely; the right to access to water, the right to reproductive choices. The environmental resource of water in relation to the right to procreate was the basis of this paper. This was a normative study that included a review of the sections of the South African Constitution’s Bill of Rights and the specific statutory instruments with relevance to water utilization and population dynamics. The results of this study revealed that the variance embodied in the meaning attached to the rights may lead to disproportionately leaning on the fulfilment of reproductive rights at the expense of the environment. This presents a problem as the Constitution also addresses the right to a healthy environment. It is arguable as to whether it is possible to conserve the environment and at the same time realize human reproductive rights. Rights are critical for the protection of the most vulnerable of our species. The rights given to humans as far as reproduction is concerned as well as the right to a healthy environment are seen to be at odds. What we should strive for is to ensure the quality of human life.
Keywords: Bioethics; water; environment; South Africa; population demography; human rights.
Brian Mugabi
Page: 283 - 287
Research Article
African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management ISSN 2375-1266 Vol. 5 (1), pp. 261-265, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Establishing agronomic practices that enhance yields under local conditions
*Kathuli Kariuki1, Karume Nyenze1 and Magugu Johnson2
1School of Arts and Sciences, United States International University, P.O. Box 14634 00800 Nairobi, Kenya.
2School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 09 November, 2016
Abstract
Many farmers in Kenya’s semi arid lands cannot afford to purchase inorganic fertilisers to improve their crop yields. They thus rely on traditional agronomic practices such as addition of crop residues, animal manures or intercrops of cereals and legumes. This study investigated soil parameters and their influence on yield. It was carried out at the University of Nairobi’s Dryland, Research and Utilisation Station located at Kibwezi. Soil parameters measured included soil organic carbon, total soil nitrogen, available phosphorus, soil moisture and soil texture and nitrogen mineralization rates. There was significant correlation (p<0.05) in the growing seasons, between soil moisture and soil organic carbon (r = 0.66, 0.81 and 0.65 for seasons 1, 2 and 3 respectively) as well as total soil nitrogen (r = 0.73, 0.79 and 0.70 for seasons 1, 2 and 3 respectively) and available phosphorus (r = 0.55 for season 1) . Where rainfall was low, maize yield correlated negatively (p<0.05) with percent clay content (r = -0.4) in season one and showed no significant correlation (r=0.21) in season 3. Where rainfall amounts were high, (as in season 2), the correlation was significant (r = 0.75). Nitrogen mineralization rate did not seem to have a direct influence on yield but its effects were modified by soil moisture, soil texture and carbon to nitrogen ratios of the soil. Overall the organic inputs seemed to have minimal impact on yield though goat manure and pigeon pea intercropping had a melioration effect on the soil.
Key words: Soil nutrients, maize yield, semi-arid, Kenya.
Karume Nyenze and Magugu Johnson, *Kathuli Kariuki
Page: 261 - 265
Research Article
African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management ISSN 2375-1266 Vol. 5 (2), pp. 273-282, February, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Capacity constraints in the waste chain in South Africas secondary towns
Leon Rodney Kenny and Tabukeli Musigi Ruhiiga
Department of Environmental Sciences and Management at the Mahikeng Campus of the North West University, North West Province, South Africa.
Corresponding author's E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 07 February, 2018
Abstract
The study was carried out in order to describe the capacity constraints in the waste chain of South Africa’s secondary mining towns. The municipalities selected were Matlosana in the North West Province, Merafong in the Gauteng Province, eMalahleni in the Mpumalanga Province and Matjhabeng in the Free State Province. A typical solid waste management system in a developing country displays an array of constraints. These centre on low collection coverage; irregular waste collection services; crude open dumping; burning without air and water pollution control; the breeding of flies and vermin; the handling and control of informal waste picking and scavenging activities. The intensity of these constraints vary from different areas and across different cities. At a second level, the waste chain itself is both a physical-technical system and a social system. To this end, particular constraints relate to material flows along the chain and to the management and personnel components of service delivery. The results of this study indicate that these constraints directly talk to concerns in public health, environmental and waste management systems and can be categorised into technical, financial, institutional, economic, and social constraints. These factors have negative effects on the development of effective solid waste management systems.
Keywords: Capacity constrain, economic constraints, financial constraints, institutional constraints, social constraints, waste management.
Leon Rodney Kenny, Tabukeli Musigi Ruhiiga
Page: 273 - 282
Research Article
African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management ISSN 2375-1266 Vol. 5 (2), pp. 266-272, February, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Evaluation of weather generator with contrasting climates in Cameroon
*Evans Wood1, Stevens Dobson2 and Howard Jakes2
1Agriculture and Environmental Science Division, School of Bioscience, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
2Macaulay Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, Scotland UK.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 13 May, 2016
Abstract
Simulation of agricultural risk assessment and environmental management requires long series of daily weather data for the area being modelled. Acquiring and formatting this data can be very complex and time-consuming. This has led to the development of weather generation procedures and tools. Weather generators can produce time series of synthetic weather data of any length, interpolating observed data to produce synthetic weather data at new sites. Any generator must be tested to ensure that the data that it produces is satisfactory for the purposes for which it is to be used. The aim of this paper is to test a commonly used weather generator, ClimGen (version 4.1.05) at eight sites with contrasting climates in Cameroon. Statistical test were conducted, including t-test and F-test, to compare the differences between generated weather data versus 25 years observed weather data. The results showed that the generated weather series was similar to the observed data for its distribution of monthly precipitation and its variances, monthly means and variance of minimum and maximum air temperatures. Based on the results from this study, it can be concluded that ClimGen performs well in the simulation of weather statistics in Cameroon.
Key words: Weather generators, weather data, Cameroon, climate change.
Stevens Dobson and Howard Jakes, *Evans Wood
Page: 266 - 272
Research Article
African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management ISSN 2375-1266 Vol. 5 (1), pp. 248-260, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Challenges to adoption of agroforestry for ecosystem services in eastern and southern Africa
*Isaac Aboderin1, Badmus Fakeye2 and Kayode Falola2
1ICRAF Agroforestry Programme, P.O. Box 30798, Lilongwe 03, Malawi.
2World Agroforestry Centre Regional Office, 2698 Avenida das FPLM, Mavalane, P.O. Box 1884, Maputo, Mozambique.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 18 October, 2007
Abstract
The miombo, the most extensive tropical woodland formation of Africa with particular ecological and economic importance, is threatened by deforestation, land degradation and loss of biodiversity. Over the past two decades, agroforestry has been studied as one of the integrated natural resource management interventions for addressing various environmental and social problems. This has helped to establish a solid knowledge-base on the functions and capabilities of agroforestry. However, little attempt has been made to synthesize and publicize the knowledge on ecosystem services provided by the various agroforestry practices in southern Africa. This has led to lack of appreciation of the environmental benefits of the practices, and hence less attention being paid to accelerating their adoption and institutionalization in national agricultural and natural resource programmes. The objective of this review was to summarize the state of current knowledge on ecosystem services of agroforestry. From the studies reviewed, it is concluded that agroforestry practices provide (1) provisioning services such as food, source of energy and fodder, (2) regulatory services including microclimate modification, erosion control, mitigation of desertification, carbon sequestration and pest control, and (3) supporting services namely, soil fertility improvement, biodiversity conservation and pollination in the miombo eco-region. The paper also outlines challenges to wider adoption of agroforestry and makes recommendations for future research, development and policy to capitalize on ecosystem services.
Key words: Biodiversity, carbon sequestration, deforestation, fire, soil erosion.
Badmus Fakeye and Kayode Falola, *Isaac Aboderin
Page: 248 - 260