Using GIS and remote sensing to assess the impact of quarry dust on vegetation, a case study of Tororo Cement Stone Quarry.

Abstract

Ascertaining the extent, the particulate matter can go and establish its effect on vegetation is of great importance to the various stake holders for example the people living in those areas, the planning authorities and even the persons responsible for the quarrying activities. This project looks at using GIS and remote sensing technologies to ascertain the extent that particulate matter can go and tell the amount of effect that the particulate matter may have on the surrounding vegetation since one may be able to analyze a large area at the same time. the current study looks at establishing the stone quarry from google earth, map the furthest point the particulate matter can go. It even establishes some the aspect that tend to affect the amount of particulate matter above the earth’s surface which may include slope, the presence of water. The research further looks at establishing the amounts of change of the effect of the movement of particulate matter over various years. The obtained results from GIS and remote sensing were further validated by taking samples to the lab for testing. Then ground truthing was done to validate the results from google with this project, this project compliments the ground measurement techniques since a large area is assessed at the same time which makes it more viable and a little cheaper than the other.