Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS DUE TO HEAVY METAL POLLUTION OF WATER RESULTED FROM COAL MINING WASTES IN KORBA CHHATTISGARH, INDIA

Shraddha Pandey, S.S. Dhuria and Gayatri Devi

Abstract

The mining waste facilities in the Dipka coal mining region of Korba are a result of coal extraction and coal washeries. Acid mine drainage (AMD), which poses a risk to the environment, particularly water resources, is a possibility when metal sulphide minerals from mining waste facilities are present. Some of the region’s mining waste deposits include is close to residential neighbourhoods, agricultural regions, and surface water, and is situated close to the town of Dipka. The short migration. An enhanced environmental risk is being brought on by the pathway between the sources and the sensitive receptors. Metalloids and heavy metals like Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, and Ni, are the principal pollutants present in the area. In the water samples taken from the area, their quantities were found to be over acceptable levels of contamination. In addition, substantial levels of heavy metals were detected in the groundwater coming from the settlements located downstream of the facilities for handling mining waste. Drinking water for people and pets as well as other agricultural uses (such as irrigation) are both done with the help of this water. The aim of the paper is to identify and analyse the most polluted water supply sources in the area and to draw conclusions about the environmental risk due to mining waste facilities. The results show high concentrations of heavy metals downstream of the waste facilities, leading to an increased environmental risk.