Environmental Impact Assessment of Phulbari Coal Based Thermal Power Plant of Bangladesh

Abstract

Coal fired power plants produce electricity for the nation and for the countrymen, but they also produce more hazardous air emission than any often industrial pollution sources and contain heavy-metals, leading to acid rain, toxic in the environment. Temperature, pH, EC and DO were analyzed from water in the surrounding area of coal based thermal plant. Element of water such as Ca, K, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn were standard level; Hg are not detected, Chromium in three years (2014-2016) 0.0405, 0.0884, and 0.0152mg/L, Cadmium in three years 0.07, 0.08 and 0.15mg/L; Nickel in water in three years 0.19, 0.18, and 0.3mg/L, Lead in three years 0.114, 0.344 and 0.021mg/L higher than standard level respectively. Element of soil such as Si, Al, Ti, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sn, Sr and Pb are 88.479, 4.25, 0.60, 4.40, 2.94, 0.01, 0.17, 0.08, 0.06, 0.03% respectively and Hg, Cd, As, Mg are not detected. Fly Ash and Bottom Ash were analyzed, element of a fly ash such as Si, Al, Ti, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sn, Sr and Pb are 69.627, 20.027, 4.011, 3.38, 6.35, 0.014, 0.0677, 0.03, 0.0756, 0.155 and 0.0686% respectively. Exhaust Gas Emission were analyzed, NOx, SOx, COx, O2 and Dust are 169.24, 225.28, 7.14, 5.91 and 98.46 g/Nm3 respectively. The situation is also posing a threat to the existence of fish, species, aquatic resources and birds of the area as most of the ponds in the area. Many ponds, khal and small canals of the affected area became valuable for fish and birds. In this area it was found that fly ash, bottom ash, waste water, SOx, NOx, COx etc. which effects on human health, employees, agriculture, water, land, soil, biota and environment. The study illustrated that the waste water in the power plant and fly ash and bottom ash are threat to both human health and environment. As soon as possible mitigated these and fly ash-bottom ash disposal properly.