Assessing the environmental impact of cement plants in Beni Suef, Egypt : an applied study in industrial Geography

Abstract EN

Objective: The purpose of the study is to discuss the productive and technical characteristics of cement factories in Beni Suef Governorate, analyze the geographical environment surrounding the factories, determine the impacts of cement factories on the quality of the air, water, soil and the health hazards.

Finally, submit proposals to mitigate the harmful potential effects of cement plants.

Methods: This paper applied Environmental Impact Assessment approach from a geographical perspective and used GIS, RS and lab analyze techniques.

Conclusion: Monthly measurement of the total concentration of solid particles emitted from cement plants in Beni Suef concluded that it exceeded the levels permitted by the Egyptian Ministry of Environment in all cement plants except for the titan plant in July, August, November, and December months.

The monthly measurement of Emissions from Chimneys to air from the Titan cement plant in Beni Suef concluded that sulfur oxide pollutants in all months of the year did not exceed the permissible limits, whereas nitrogen oxide pollutants exceeded the permissible limits in all months except January, July, and December.

River Nile water Examination of pH, electrical conductivity, positive ions, negative ions, and heavy metal elements have shown that all these components follow WHO standards except lead.

The chemical elements for soil analysis indicate that they are not appropriate for cultivation, except for phosphorous, nitrates and nitrogen, lead.

Cement plants, however, have no clear impact on soil.