Draft Status Quo Report for the Pixley Ka Seme ... - SRK Consulting

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SRK Consulting in association with BKS Pixley Ka Seme Local Municipality EMF – Draft Status Quo Report Page 21 anticipated to deteriorate because of the predicted decline in rainfall (Bates et al., 2008). in the area and need to be carefully managed to ensure the health of the environment and people. Increases in the distribution and prevalence of diseases, have been forecast because of increased temperatures and rainfall. The effects of global temperatures are also certain to be costly, particularly in developing regions. Coal mining is probably the greatest contributor to global warming per area followed by agriculture, forestry and tourism. The recognition that reduced degradation and destruction of natural habitats should be an important part of the global response to climate change to maintain sequestration levels (mitigation), but also as an adaptation strategy to allow for species movement in natural areas thereby aiding their survival chances and to continue delivering its services. It is not clear at this stage how these climate change related considerations need to the taken into account at a local spatial planning scale. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) certainly see planning for biodiversity maintenance as an ever more legitimate goal given its probable additional benefits in terms of climate change adaptation. Local authorities are drawing up climate change mitigation strategies with implications for spatial planning (Cape Town for example.). 3.2.2 Air quality The HPA was declared by the Minister on 23 November 2007 under the AQA. A PA is defined as an area where ambient air quality standards are being exceeded, or may be exceeded. The declaration necessitated the development of an Air Quality Management Plan for the area. The HPA includes Ekurhuleni, Lesedi, Govan Mbeki, Dipaleseng, Lekwa, Msukaligwa, PKSLM, Delmas, Emalahleni, and Steve Tshwete (see Map 5). A range of industrial, mining and agricultural activities are carried out in the PA, including power generation, commercial forestry and related industries, metal processing, petrochemical refining, ceramic processes, quarries, mining (primarily of coal), fertiliser and chemical production, explosives production, charcoal production, and other smaller scale industrial operations. These contribute to reduction of air quality Priority sources and pollutants Priority sources that have been found to be significant in terms of their contributions to ambient air pollutant concentrations and associated health risks within the PKSLM include: • Household fuel burning; • Vehicle exhaust emissions; • Emissions from petrol stations; • Diesel fuel combustion emissions along rail lines; • Un-rehabilitated mine tailings; • Mining operations; • Agricultural activities; • Industrial and commercial fuel burning; • Large industrial activities; • Landfills; • Sewage works; • Biomass burning; and • Trans-boundary transport of pollutants into GSDM. Household fuel burning, particularly the use of coal and, to a lesser extent the use of wood as a combustion source, can have a significant impact on ambient air quality for some distance from this source. Despite the national electrification programme, a large number of households in the district continue to burn fuel to meet all or a portion of their energy needs. Household fuel burning is predicted to be a very significant contributor to fine particulate concentrations within densely populated areas. Areas of particular concern are where informal settlements predominate and where there is no electricity provision to households. Vehicle exhaust emissions and petrol station emissions (petrol and diesel vehicles) can be of significant concern with respect to the proximity of residents to busy roadways and petrol stations. Road traffic is the most significant source of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and is anticipated to contribute significantly to ozone formation. NOx and KILI/BEAT G:\404946_PIXLEY EMF\7REPORTS\Status Quo report\Draft report\Draft status quo report, July 2010.docx July 2010
SRK Consulting in association with BKS Pixley Ka Seme Local Municipality EMF – Draft Status Quo Report Page 22 VOCs are both important precursors of photochemical products. Rail impacts relate to the combustion of diesel fuel by rail locomotives while transporting loads across rail networks. The main pollutant of concern with respect to diesel fuel combustion is diesel particulates, as well as NOx and CO emissions released to atmosphere. communities if not controlled. The type and extent to which these pollutants could impact on local communities will vary based on the composition of the waste being treated. Biomass burning from veld fires occur most frequently in September. The pollutants of concern generated by these fires include PM, nitrogen dioxide and CO. Un-rehabilitated mine tailings impoundments and active mining works can be considered significant sources of nuisance dust fallout as well as inhalable particulate matter (PM). The reclamation of these tailings impoundments also has a significant impact on ambient particulate impacts. The proximity of residential settlements (particularly low income households) close to these sources is of concern. Agriculture. PKSLM has numerous farms coupled with agricultural activities that are responsible for the release of large quantities of PM, with animal husbandry often being associated with foul odours. Industrial and commercial fuel burning, particularly uncontrolled coal fired boilers in close proximity to residential areas can be of concern. These can be associated with schools, light industrial areas and hospitals, etc. These sources contribute significantly to ambient sulphur dioxide and particulate matter 10 microns or less (PM 10 ) concentrations. Large industries operating in the area could not be adequately quantified due to the absence of a comprehensive source and emissions inventory for the district. Most of these source types release emissions to the atmosphere via dedicated stacks, or via building fugitives. These emissions may be in both the gaseous and particulate form. Landfill and incinerator operations are associated with toxic and odorous gases as well as fugitive dust emissions. Heavy metal and furan emission from waste incineration represent a considerable air quality and health risk. Sewage works often associated with foul odours, have little segregation of industrial and domestic waste water in South Africa. This often results in chemicals which pose human health risks being treated by municipal sewage works. The evaporative emissions of these chemicals can result in health risks to neighbouring Transboundary pollution. Sources of pollution situated outside of PKLSM can still impact on the air quality in the area. Significant industrial and mining related sources located north of PKSLM are of particular concern. Map 6 provides an indication of the location and extent to which this may be of significance to the area. Ambient monitoring and overall assessment of air quality impacts Four privately run monitoring stations located in the PKSLM are summarised as follows (DEA, 2010): • Amersfoort: A SASOL operated monitoring station measuring weather changes (MET). This monitors sulphur oxides (SOx), PM and ozone (O 3 ); • Verkykop: An ESKOM operated MET station, which monitors SOx, PM, O 3 and NOx; and • Majuba 1 and 2: An ESKOM operated MET station monitoring SOx and PM. Results of the Highveld Air Quality Baselines Study (DEA, 2010) indicate that PKSLM’s key air quality issues include biomass burning, household fuel burning, vehicle use and at a localized scale industrial use particularly from the Majuba power station. The main pollutants of concern in this region are SOx, with localized exceedances in the vicinity of Majuba power station, NOx and CO from vehicle emissions, and veld burning. However, the area generally stays within the South African ambient standard noted for these pollutants. 3.2.3 Soils The rocks weather in situ to residual soils of various composition and depths. These soils are generally covered by transported soils such as scree, consisting of large rock fragments, and colluvial gravels that are found on the higher slopes of the dolerite and sandstone hills. Finer colluvium and hillwash materials are found KILI/BEAT G:\404946_PIXLEY EMF\7REPORTS\Status Quo report\Draft report\Draft status quo report, July 2010.docx July 2010
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Draft Status Quo Report for the Pixley Ka Seme ... - SRK Consulting

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