Environmental effects of natural stone and marble production and waste management analysis: Example of Bilecik province

Keywords: Natural stone, marble, wastewater, environmental pollution In order to create a sustainable, economical and environmentally friendly waste management model with respect to natural stone and marble quarries and marble processing plants, it is essential first of all to determine the type and amount of waste generated first. The purpose of this study is to examine the environmental effects of natural stone and marble quarries and processing plants and to determine the types and quantities of the resulting waste and to investigate the adequacy of the disposal methods used. Bilecik, one of the important centers of Turkey in this sector, was selected as the field of study. Field studies have shown that the main process in both the natural stone and marble quarries and marble processing plants operated as open mines is the marble cutting process and that the most important wastes formed are wastewater, treatment sludge and rust. Cooling water used during the marble cutting process is mixed with marble dust to form wastewater and the resulting wastewater is treated in sedimentation tanks. With the aim of examining the adequacy of sedimentation tank samples were taken and from inlet and outlet of sedimentation tanks and parameters of suspended solids, color, oil and grease, chromium (+6) and PH parameters specified in Pollution Control Regulation Table 7.5 are determined and compared to limit values. The results showed that the output water values in both marble quarries and processing plant sedimentation tanks are below the limit values specified in the regulation. This situation has been interpreted as that the sedimentation tanks used perform the necessary treatment function. However, as a result of sedimentation ponds and wastewater treatment, a significant amount of treatment sludge is formed. Analysis of mud samples taken showed that treatment sludge is suitable for storage in Class III landfills relative to solid waste landfills. When all results are considered as a whole, it is concluded that wastewater must be purified by appropriate methods in natural stone and marble quarries, marble processing plants and release to underground and surface waters must be prevented, new and useful fields should be developed for sewage sludge and rust wastes and using proper techniques for the closure of the mines at the end of the activity are important in terms of protection and sustainability of human health and natural environment.