Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India.
J Environ Manage. 2024 Sep;368:122281. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122281. Epub 2024 Aug 26.
The groundwater quality in the vicinity of the Makum coalfield, renowned for its high-sulfur coal deposits, was investigated. The oxidation of sulfur in the coal generates acid mine drainage (AMD), a global environmental challenge that contaminates natural resources. The region's high sulfur coal content intensifies AMD formation, necessitating a comprehensive assessment of its impact on human health and the environment. This study analyzes the water quality parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, Na, Ca, Mg, K, HCO, SO, F, Cl , and NO in groundwater, findings concerning low pH levels (5.8) and fluoride concentration (0.15 mg/L) compared to standards. Groundwater chemistry was analyzed to identify the sources controlling water composition through Gibbs diagrams, Piper diagrams, and saturation indices. The Gibbs diagram shows that rock weathering is the crucial factor controlling groundwater chemistry, while the Piper diagram indicates Ca-Cl as the Principal water type. Additionally, an in-depth analysis of groundwater chemistry reveals that carbonate dissolution primarily occurs due to minerals like calcite, dolomite, and gypsum, findings supported by saturation indices. The present study yielded an average water quality index of 40.19, indicating excellent to good water quality in 51 out of 52 samples analyzed. The average hazard index values for adults and children were 0.60 and 0.58, respectively, indicating that 49 of 52 samples pose negative non-carcinogenic risks associated with nitrate and fluoride contamination. The irrigation indices, graphical representations such as the Wilcox and Doneen classification, and the USSL diagram elucidate the suitability for irrigation purposes. Moreover, the Principal Component Analysis identified the sources of ions as originating from geogenic processes and mining activities. The study stresses environmental assessments, health risk management, and sustainable practices for groundwater in high-sulfur coal mining areas.
对以高硫煤储量而闻名的马库姆煤田附近的地下水质量进行了调查。煤中的硫氧化会产生酸性矿山排水（AMD），这是一种全球环境挑战，会污染自然资源。该地区高硫煤含量加剧了 AMD 的形成，因此需要全面评估其对人类健康和环境的影响。本研究分析了地下水的水质参数，如 pH 值、EC、TDS、Na、Ca、Mg、K、HCO 、SO 、F、Cl 和 NO ，发现 pH 值较低（5.8），氟浓度（0.15mg/L）低于标准值。通过 Gibbs 图、Piper 图和饱和度指数分析地下水化学，以确定控制水组成的来源。Gibbs 图表明，岩石风化是控制地下水化学的关键因素，而 Piper 图表明 Ca-Cl 是主要的水类型。此外，对地下水化学的深入分析表明，碳酸盐溶解主要是由于方解石、白云石和石膏等矿物的存在，这一发现得到了饱和度指数的支持。本研究得出的平均水质指数为 40.19，表明在分析的 52 个样本中有 51 个样本的水质优良。成人和儿童的平均危害指数值分别为 0.60 和 0.58，表明 52 个样本中有 49 个样本存在与硝酸盐和氟污染相关的非致癌负面风险。灌溉指数、Wilcox 和 Doneen 分类等图形表示以及 USSL 图阐明了灌溉用途的适宜性。此外，主成分分析确定了离子的来源是源自地球化学过程和采矿活动。该研究强调了对高硫煤矿区地下水进行环境评估、健康风险管理和可持续实践的重要性。
