Impact of coal mining on soil properties and their efficient eco-restoration

Abstract

Coal mining is one of the core industries that contribute to the economic development of a country but deteriorate the environment. Being the primary source of energy, coal has become essential to meet the energy demand of a country. Mining of mineral resources results in extensive soil damage, altering microbial communities and affecting vegetation leading to destruction of vast amount of land. In the present study, attempts have been made to assess the impact of coal mining on soil nutrients and their efficient restoration through different combination of soil amendments. The physico-chemical and biological properties of mine spoil before and after treatment were analysed. Results indicated that the applications significantly improved the physico-chemical and microbiological properties (which were practically absent) of the coal mine spoil dump. A great variety of microorganisms have been found in mine wastes and microbiological processes that are usually responsible for the environmental hazard created by mine wastes. The findings of this study can be utilised by the mine management programs in the large scale revegetation of several adjacent coal mining overburden dumps for eco-friendly mining.