Evaluación de la contaminación acústica derivada de la actividad minera en la cantera de áridos y pétreos “Flores “de la Cabecera Parroquial de San Luis, Cantón Riobamba, Provincia de Chimborazo

Abstract

The current study focuses on the monitoring and evaluation of environmental noise caused by different mining exploitation processes at ¨Flores¨ Arid and Stone Quarry, located in San Luis Rural Parish in order to identify the areas that generate the highest noise pollution towards their surroundings and propose preventive actions that help in the control of environmental noise. So, it was necessary to collect the information through inspections, direct observation and a checklist; then, an A-weighting integrating sound level meter was used to obtain the data. Six strategic points were chosen in three measurement periods a day, reporting five 15-second samples with the following values at the different points: P1(crushing activity) with 85.3 dB, P2(material loading and unloading activity) with 81.2 dB, P3(rock fragmentation activity) with 82, 00 dB, P4 (residential area) with 74.5 dB, P5 (residential area) with 69.6 dB, the ones that reflected a higher noise level that exceeds the permissible limits of sound pressure according to the 097-A Ministerial Agreement by the Republic of Ecuador, which establishes a limit value of 70 dB; while for point P6 (residential area) the value is 60,5dB which is considered as the lowest level in the area. To obtain the Noise Map in the Arid and Stone Quarry, it was necessary to use Arcgis geographic information system, which revealed that the period of time with the highest activity in the quarry is in the morning, therefore it generates high levels of noise, unlike the afternoon. In this way, it was necessary to propose an alternative on corrective measures to control the noise generated. It is recommended to carry out physical risks evaluations in order to provide a better quality of life to the people.