The present study highlights techniques to identify suitability of water for different purposes such as domestic, irrigation and industrial uses. Water samples from Olidih watershed in Jharia coalfield were collected in premonsoon (PRM) and post-monsoon (POM) seasons and analysed for different physico-chemical properties. Water Quality Index (WQI), Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), percent sodium (%Na) and total hardness (TH) weredetermined on the basis of various physico-chemical parameters in order to ascertain the suitability of water for domestic, irrigation and industrial uses. The WQI for the study area found to vary from 23.86 to 166.72 in PRM season and from 22.14 to 146.44 in POM season. In 16.3% and 11.4% of watershed area, water is found unfit for drinking during PRM and POM seasons respectively. The calculated values of SAR and %Na indicate 'excellent to permissible use' of water for irrigation uses during both the seasons. High salinity, %Na and Mg-hazard values at some sites limit use for irrigation purposes. Box plots were plotted to represent seasonal concentration of the major ions which shows increasing trend of Ca, Na, NO sub( 3) and SO sub( 4) during POM.
Outputs
Shinde et al. (2013). Assessment of water quality around surface coal mine in India. Nature, Environment and Pollution Technology. Technoscience Publications.
Key personnel
Shinde, V.; Nandgude, S.B.; Singh, M.
Research themes
Co-produced/mine water, water supplies, water dependent ecosystems
Project information source
Literature
Table 4. Project : Environmental geochemistry and quality assessment of mine water of Jharia coalfield, India
Project characteristics
Details
Project title
Environmental geochemistry and quality assessment of mine water of Jharia coalfield, India
Project location
India
Principal investigator
Singh, A.K.; Mahato, M.K.; Neogi, B.; Tewary, B.K.; Sinha, A.
Lead institution
Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Dhanbad 826015, Jharkhand, India
Project budget
Unknown
Source of funding
Unavailable
Project duration
Unknown- literature output 2012
Current status
Unknown- literature output 2012
Project summary
A long mining history and unscientific exploitation of Jharia coalfield caused many environmental problems including water resource depletion and contamination. A geochemical study of mine water in the Jharia coalfield has been undertaken to assess its quality and suitability for domestic, industrial and irrigation uses. For this purpose, 92 mine water samples collected from different mining areas of Jharia coalfield were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), major cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+), anions (F-, Cl-, HCO3-, SO42-, NO3-), dissolved silica (H4SiO4) and trace metals. The pH of the analysed mine water samples varied from 6.2 to 8.6, indicating mildly acidic to alkaline nature. Concentration of TDS varied from 437 to 1,593 mg L-1 and spatial differences in TDS values reflect the variation in lithology, surface activities and hydrological regime prevailing in the region. SO42- and HCO3- are dominant in the anion and Mg2+ and Ca2+ in the cation chemistry of mine water. High concentrations of SO42- in the mine water of the area zare attributed to the oxidative weathering of pyrites. Ca-Mg-SO4 and Ca-Mg-HCO3 are the dominant hydrochemical facies. The drinking water quality assessment indicates that number of mine water samples have high TDS, total hardness and SO42- concentrations and needs treatment before its utilization. Concentrations of some trace metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb) were also found to be above the desirable levels recommended for drinking water. The mine water is good to permissible quality and suitable for irrigation in most cases. However, higher salinity, residual sodium carbonate and Mg-ratio restrict its suitability for irrigation at some sites.
Outputs
Singh et al. (2012). Environmental geochemistry and quality assessment of mine water of Jharia coalfield, India. Environmental Earth Sciences.
Key personnel
Singh, A.K.; Mahato, M.K.; Neogi, B.; Tewary, B.K.; Sinha, A.
Contact
[Singh, Abhay Kumar; Mahato, M. K.; Neogi, B.; Tewary, B. K.; Sinha, A.] CSIR, Cent Inst Min & Fuel Res, Dhanbad 826015, Jharkhand, India
Research themes
Water supplies, water dependent ecosystems
Project information source
Literature
Table 4. Project : Multivariate statistical analysis for assessment of groundwater quality in Talcher Coalfield area, Odisha
Project characteristics
Details
Project title
Multivariate statistical analysis for assessment of groundwater quality in Talcher Coalfield area, Odisha
Project location
India
Principal investigator
Dhakate, Ratnakar; Mahesh, J.; Sankaran, S.; Gurunadha Rao, V. V.S.
Lead institution
CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India
Project budget
Unknown
Source of funding
Unavailable
Project duration
Unknown- literature output 2013
Current status
Unknown- literature output 2013
Project summary
In order to assess the impact of coal mining on groundwater quality in Talcher Coalfield area, seventeen groundwater samples for pre and post monsoon seasons were collected from borewells/dugwells and analysed for major ions and trace elements. Water quality analysis of major ions and trace elements shows elevated concentration in few groundwater samples. The water quality data was analysed using multivariate statistical techniques viz., factor analysis and cluster analysis. The result clearly shows that the variation in the season is due to recharge of rain water during monsoon. The factor and cluster analysis brought out impact of intensity by mining activity on groundwater regime. Discharge of mining seepage effluents and its interaction with the groundwater contaminate the surrounding groundwater regime. Multivariate statistical techniques are potential tools and provide greater precision for identifying contaminant parameters linkages with mining environment.
Dhakate et al. (2013). Multivariate statistical analysis for assessment of groundwater quality in Talcher Coalfield area, Odisha. Journal of the Geological Society of India. P.O. Box 1922, Gavipuran, Bangalore, 560 019, India: Geological Society of India.
Dhakate, Ratnakar; Mahesh, J.; Sankaran, S.; Gurunadha Rao, V. V.S.
Contact
CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India
Research themes
Co-produced/mine water, water supplies, water dependent ecosystems
Project information source
Literature
Table 4. Project : Effect of mining on geochemistry of groundwater in Permo-carboniferous Gondwana coalfields: Raniganj Basin, India
Project characteristics
Details
Project title
Effect of mining on geochemistry of groundwater in Permo-carboniferous Gondwana coalfields: Raniganj Basin, India
Project location
India
Principal investigator
Adhikari, K.; Sadhu, K.; Chakroborty, B.; Gangopadhyay, A.
Lead institution
Department of Geology, National Institute of Technology, Durgapur 713 209, India
Project budget
Unknown
Source of funding
Unavailable
Project duration
Unknown- literature output 2013
Current status
Unknown- literature output 2013
Project summary
Lack of proper reclamation strategy and indiscriminate mining of various economic resources, particularly coal from Permo-carboniferous Gondwana coalfields affects the groundwater quality of the concerned regions. Leaching from mine-tailings along with seasonal fluctuation of water table caused a significant change in groundwater geochemistry of Raniganj coalfield area. Gondwana sequences, developed in intracratonic rift basin, are characterized by numerous longitudinal and cross faults. This results in the formation of many small aquifer systems which may be interconnected laterally as well as vertically providing the conduit for homogenization of aquifers. Although the predominance of major cations (CaNaMgK) and anions (HCO 3ClSO4NO3) remain same irrespective of season, the dominance of Na and SO4 have significantly increased in post-monsoon season. The types of groundwater in pre-monsoon and postmonsoon seasons are CaMgCl and CaHCO3 respectively. Leaching of SO 4 from surface sources (mine tailings) has increased TDS in post-monsoon. Base exchange (direct and reverse) reactions have taken place between aquifer materials and groundwater.
Adhikari et al. (2013). Effect of mining on geochemistry of groundwater in Permo-carboniferous Gondwana coalfields: Raniganj Basin, India. Journal of the Geological Society of India. P.O. Box 1922, Gavipuran, Bangalore, 560 019, India: Geological Society of India.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12594-013-0166-8
Key personnel
Adhikari, K.; Sadhu, K.; Chakroborty, B.; Gangopadhyay, A.
Contact
Department of Geology, National Institute of Technology, Durgapur 713 209, India
