Proposals for environmental impact decreasing in a suburban zone of limestone quarries: Southem Madrid Community, Spain

Abstract

Over 30 Mm3 of limestones are extracted at least 100 quarries in southem part ofMadrid, its environmental impact is described in this paper. Three main reclamation areas are distinguished: surrounding of quarries, faces or highwalls of quarries and the floor. For soil reclamation in the environs of quarries we suggest to sow it with forage of fast growth plants (Lupinus, Tripho/ium ... ), in the floor of quarries is possible a spontaneous revegetation or even may be reclaimed for agricultural uses. For quarried rocks faces previous blasting and/or wider benchs are proposed. In opinion of the authors it is necessary to concentrate the limestone extraction in two or three Iarge quarries that allows a best policy and reclamation.