Health and Environmental Impacts of Reclamation of Ex-mining Land —A Malaysian Case Study
Reclamation of ex-mining land to cater the needs of development takes place throughout the globe. It can be accomplished with minimal environmental impacts if proper and appropriate measures are incorporated accordingly and pre-planned. Unlike in developed nations with imposed strict monitoring and enforcement; an area of 114 acres of ex-mining lakes (50m deep) in Selangor (Malaysia) was reclaimed without proper planning or enforcement. The ex-mining lakes were extensively dumped with domestic, industrial, and construction debris for reclamation purpose. The absence of any enforcement allowed the disposal of unsuitable materials to contaminate the environment, which resulted in excessive emission of H2S, which peaked at 200 ppm. The objectives of the study are to assess and determine the level of contamination within the area, and to investigate the risks and health implications due to the pollution. Main parameters including BOD5, COD, TOC, metal elements, and others were determined from surface and deep soil samples, surface water and groundwater samples and, leachate samples collected from the study area. Surface water BOD (145mg/L) and COD (920mg/L) exceeded the EQA limits whereas sulphide (at 4.5mg/L) was nine times the limit. Sulphate in surface soils and deep soils at 750mg/kg exceeded the Dutch Intervention Standard, and together with sulphide, contributed to H2S emission. Improperly planned redevelopment activities pose serious health and environmental consequences, as evidenced in the Malaysian case study. Remediation options are also discussed. The need for proper policies and guidelines on post-closure would ensure standardised landfill remediation with minimal environmental impacts.
P. AGAMUTHU Jamil M. MOHD S. H. FAUZIAH Aiza A. NOORAZAMIMAH
Institute of Biological Sciences,University of Malaya 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
国际会议
2007环境科学与技术国际会议(The 2007 International Symposium on Environmental Science and Technology)
北京
英文
2007-11-13（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）