Impact of the Jamuna Fertilizer Industry on the surrounding environment

Abstract

Fertilizer is an important chemical compound. In Bangladesh yearly agricultural productions are much less than the actual demand. Nitrogenous fertilizer (mainly urea) is essential to increase the agricultural production. Hence Bangladesh is now promoting rapid industrial development in this sector. However this increases the pollution load on natural environment. The study presented in this report has attempted to cover the identification of both positive and negative environmental impacts induced due to installation of the Jamuna Fertilizer Company Ltd (JFCL). For this purpose extensive field investigations and a questiom13ire survey among residents in the area near the industry have been made. An evaluation of the impact of the industry on surrounding also has been made through observing plant species. To identify the impact of the industry on river water, results of chemical analysis of the water samples collected from the river Jamuna before and after installation of the industry have been collected and analyzed. A laboratory test program was undertaken to monitor the water quality of the river Jamuna and also to verify collected data. The important parameters those have been taken under consideration are pH, conductivity, BODs, COD, SS, TS ammonia, urea sulphate, sulphide, heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb Mn) and turbidity. It has been found that the concentration of these parameters occasionally exceed the respective permissible values. As a result fish population of the Jamuna river near the factory reduced to a great extent compared to that before installation of the industry. The factory was found to cause some negative impact on open water fisheries, surface water, horticulture and air quality around a small area. On the other hand it induced great positive impact on socioec-onomic side e.g., income and employment generation, education, infrastructure etc. Although, the overall impact of the industry is positive, identified negative impacts should not be neglected. This study will enhance further research in this related field.