Current World Environment

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^-, SO₄^2-). 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^-> SO₄^2-> 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.