Abstract
A geochemical study of mine water in the Western Jharia coalfield area was undertaken to assess its quality and suitability for drinking and domestic purposes. To assess mine water quality of the study area, a systematic sampling was carried out during the monsoon season, 2013. Eighteen representatives mine water sample were collected from both underground (underground sump and surface water discharge) and opencast mines, and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) , major cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+) and major anions (HCO3- F-, Cl-, NO3-, SO42-). The pH of the analyzed mine waters ranged from 6.8 o 8.3 and electrical conductivity (EC) values ranged from 608 uS cm-1 to 1350 uS cm-1. TDS ranged from 432 to 1080 mg L-1 and the spatial differences in TDS reflect the geological formations, hydrological processes and prevailing mining conditions of the region. The anion and cation chemistry indicate the general ionic abundance as: HCO3-> SO42-> Cl-> NO3->F- and Mg2+>Ca2+> Na+> K+ in the mine water of the study area. The water quality assessment indicated that total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), magnesium and sulphate are the major parameters of concern in the study area and make it unsuitable for drinking and domestic purposes.
Highlights
Rapid urbanization and industrial development during last decade have provoked some serious concerns for the environment[1]
Mine Water Chemistry Hydro-chemical characteristic of mine water samples of study area and statistical summary of the analytical results of mine water were compared with the standard guideline values recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO1997) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS 1991) for drinking and public health (Table 2 and Table 3)
The differences in the total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC) values in the water samples collected from the underground mine sumps and pump water discharges in the case of underground mine were not very significant except at few sites
Summary
Rapid urbanization and industrial development during last decade have provoked some serious concerns for the environment[1]. In the last few decades, due to rapid industrialization and increase in human population, there has been a tremendous pressure on the demand of fresh water[2,3]. Water quality is much depending on the desired use of water, different uses require different criteria of water quality assessment as well as standard method for reporting and comparing result of water analysis[4,5]. Water pollution in mining areas is mainly due to overburden (OB) dumps, surface impoundments, mine water, industrial effluents, acid mine drainage, tailing ponds etc[2]. Even a few weight percent of sulphide minerals in coal or mine waste has the potential to generate acidic conditions and create
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