Evaluation of Aquifer Behavior and Characteristics in the Singrauli Coalfield, Central India

Abstract

Hydrological investigations were conducted to determine the aquifer characteristics, recharge boundary location, and the amount of ground water which can be withdrawn safely in order to minimize potential ground–water contamination from open pit coal mining. Analysis of data obtained from bore holes drilled in the study area has revealed two aquifers: (1) an unconfined composed of medium–grained sandstone, and (2) confined composed of medium– to coarse–grained sandstone. A pumping test was conducted in Jayant block study area on the confined aquifer. Accordingly, the values for the transmissivity (T), storage coefficient (S), and hydraulic conductivity (k) obtained are 84.14 m2/day, 4.076 × 10-4, and 4.2 × 102 m /day, respectively. The results of the pumping tests indicated that a recharge boundary is located at a distance of 163 m. The recharge boundary was determined to be a stream trending N–S and situated at about 200 meters from the pumping well, closely corroborating the field situation with pump test data. From these studies it is concluded that water–supply wells should be completed in the confined aquifer. The impact of surface mining of coal on the ground–water system in Singrauli Coalfield, Central India has been investigated. Surface–water and hydrogeologic analyses were conducted in Jayant block. Field studies measured the infiltration characteristics of surface-mined land, determined surface–water runoff, and analyzed the hydrogeologic impacts of surface mining. This study provides the framework for three–dimensional analysis of such problems as the hydrogeology, risk of potential contamination, mine flooding, highwall stability, and reclaimed land surface.