Azura-Edo Independent Power Plant Environmental Impact ... - IFC

4 DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT – BIOPHYSICAL BASELINE
4.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter provides a description of the existing environmental conditions
against which the potential impacts can be assessed.
For the biophysical baseline description, the Study Area is defined as the direct
Project footprint and environment immediately surrounding the Project site.
The Study Area for ambient air and noise extends to the wider area including
the communities of Ihovbor-Evboeka and Orior-Osemwende. The
environmental study for air impacts includes a 5km buffer (1) surrounding the
Site.
The information on the biophysical baseline is derived from published sources
as well as from the dry and wet season field surveys that were conducted
during 18 to 21 March and 24 to 27 July 2011 respectively. The laboratory
analysis of all groundwater and soil sample analysis was conducted by
Searchgate Laboratories Limited, an FMEnv accredited laboratory located in
Lagos, Nigeria. Information is also drawn from secondary data sourced from
the EIA report for the NIPP on the neighbouring site, as well as published
journal articles and online sources.
4.2 TOPOGRAPHY
Edo State is 19,794 km 2 in size and is bound in the north and east by Kogi State,
in the south by Delta State and in the west by Ondo State. It is predominantly
low lying except towards the north axis (Edo State Government, 2011).
In keeping with the rest of Edo State, the topography of the Project site is
generally flat with elevation ranging between 128 m above sea level on the
northern side of the Project site to approximately 120 m on the southern
boundary, indicating a slight downward slope to the south.
4.3 CLIMATE
The climate of the Edo State is characteristic of the humid tropics, with seasonal
winds. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Edo State (and
the Study Area) is situated in the Tropical/megathermal climate. More
specifically the Study Area is primarily located in the Tropical Monsoon (Am)
AZURA EDO IPP
4-1
DRAFT EIA REPORT