Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Hydrogeochemical investigation and quality assessment of mine water resources in the Korba coalfield, India

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Hydrogeochemical investigation of water discharged from the mines of Korba coalfield was carried out to assess mine water geochemistry, solute acquisition processes, and its suitability for domestic, irrigation, and industrial uses. A total of 44 mine water samples were collected from coal mines of Korba coalfield and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), major cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+), major anions (HCO3 −, Cl−, SO4 2−, NO3 −), dissolved silica (H4SiO4), and trace metals. pH of the analyzed mine water samples varied from 6.7 to 8.5, indicating mildly acidic to alkaline nature of water. Concentration of total dissolved solids ranged from 97 to 785 mg L−1, and spatial differences in TDS values reflect variation in lithology, surface activities, and hydrological regime prevailing in the mining region. HCO3 − and SO4 2− were the dominant anions in mine water of the area, while Ca2+ and Mg2+ dominated in cation chemistry. Higher contribution of SO4 2− to the total anions (TZ−) may be attributed to weathering of pyrites associated with the coal strata. High concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3 −, and SO4 2− and the average HCO3 −/(HCO3 − + SO4 2−) ratio of 0.58 suggest coupled reactions involving both sulfuric acid– and carbonic acid–aided weathering which largely controls the solute acquisition processes. The factor and cluster analyses of hydrochemical data also suggest the reaction paths expected from solution interacting with carbonate and silicate rocks attacked by H2CO3 and/or H2SO4. Ca-Mg-SO4-Cl and Ca-Mg-HCO3 were the dominant water types in mine water of the Korba coalfield. The computed saturation indices demonstrate oversaturation condition with respect to calcite, dolomite, and aragonite and undersaturation with respect to gypsum, anhydrite, and halite. The quality assessment for drinking uses indicates that TDS, total hardness, and concentration of some trace metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Al) exceeded the acceptable levels in a number of mine water samples and need treatment before its utilization. In general, the mine waters of the Korba coalfield are of good to permissible quality and can be used for livestock and irrigation in most cases. Higher salinity and magnesium hazard values at some sites limit its suitability for irrigation uses.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alberto WD, Del PDM, Valeria AM, Fabiana PS, Cecilia HA, De Los ABM (2001) Pattern recognition techniques for the evaluation of spatial and temporal variations in water quality. A case study: Suquia River basin (Cordoba-Argentina). Water Res 35:2881–2894

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • APHA.AWWA.WPCF (1998) Standard methods for the examination of water and waste water; 20th edn., American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation, Washington DC, USA.

  • Appelo CAJ, Postma D (1993) Geochemistry, groundwater and pollution. AA Balkema Publ, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayers RS, Wascot DW (1985) Water quality for irrigation. FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper #20, Rev 1, FAO, Rome, Italy

    Google Scholar 

  • BIS (2012) Indian standards institution - Indian standard specification for drinking water. IS 10500:2012, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Briz-Kishore BH, Murali G (1992) Factor analysis for revealing hydrochemical characteristics of a watershed. Environ Geol 19:3–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrol (1962) Rainwater as a chemical agent of geological processes – a review. USGS water supply paper, Washington DC, USA, p 1535:18–20

  • Chidambaram S, Anandhan P, Prasanna MV, Srinivasamoorthy K, Vasanthavigar M (2013) Major ion chemistry and identification of hydrogeochemical processes controlling groundwater in and around Neyveli Lignite Mines, Tamil Nadu, South India. Arab J Geosci 6:3451–3467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choubey VD (1991) Hydrological and environmental impact of coal mining, Jharia coalfield, India. Environ Geol 17:185–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Collins R, Jenkins A (1996) The impact of agricultural land use on stream chemistry in the middle hills of the Himalayas, Nepal. J Hydrol 185:71–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis JC (1986) Statistics and data analysis in geology. John Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhar BB, Ratan S, Jamal A (1986) Impact of opencast coal mining on water environment—a case study. J Mines, Metals and Fuels 34:596–601

    Google Scholar 

  • Domenico PA, Schwartz FW (1990) Physical and chemical hydrologeology 2nd edit. John Wiley & Sons, New York City, NY, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Doneen LD (1964) Notes on water quality in agriculture. Water science and engineering paper 4001, Dept of Water Sciences and Engineering. Univ of California, Davis, CA, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Eaton FM (1950) Significance of carbonates in irrigation waters. Soil Sci 39:123–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Equeenuddin SM, Tripathi S, Sahoo PK, Panigrahi MK (2010) Hydrogeochemical chracteritics of acid mine drainage and water pollution at Makum coalfield, India. J Geochem Expl 105:75–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feth, JH, Roberson CE, Polzer WL (1964) Sources of mineral constituents in water from granitic rocks Sierra Nevada, California and Nevada. US Geol Survey Water Supply Paper 1535–1

  • Franklin WT, Olsen JS (1991) Effects of excessive magnesium in irrigation waters on wheat and corn growth. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 22:49–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garrels RM, Christ CL (1965) Solutions, minerals, and equilibria. Harper and Row, New York, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghose MK (1995) Environmental management of water in an underground coal mining industry of Raniganj coalfield. J Institution of Public Health Eng 3:56–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghose MK, Sinha DK (1990) Surface water quality monitoring program and status of water quality in coal mining area. Indian J Environ Protects 10:459

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray NF (1997) Environmental impact and remediation of acid mine drainage: a management problem. Environ Geol 30:62–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gular C, Thyne G, McCray JE, Turner AK (2002) Evaluation of graphical and multivariate statistical methods for classification of water chemistry data. Hydrogeol J 10:455–474

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta DC (1999) Environmental aspects of selected trace elements associated with coal and natural waters of Pench valley coalfield of India and their impact on human health. Inter J Coal Geol 40:133–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hounslow AW (1995) Water quality data: analysis and interpretation. CRC Lewis Publ, New York, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Jamal A, Dhar BB, Ratan S (1991) Acid mine drainage control in an opencast coal mine. Mine Water Environ 10:1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Jayaprakash M, Giridharan L, Venugopal T, Krishna Kumar SP, Periakali EP (2008) Characterization and evaluation of the factors affecting the geochemistry of groundwater in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu, India. Environ Geol 54:855–867

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson DB (2003) Chemical and microbiological characteristics of mineral spoils and drainage waters at abandoned coal and metal mines. Water Air Soil Pollut 3:47–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karanth KR (1989) Ground water assessment development and management. Tata McGraw Hill Publ, New Delhi, India

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan R, Israili SH, Ahmad H, Mohan A (2005) Heavy metal pollution assessment in surface water bodies and its suitability for irrigation around the Neyveli lignite mines and associated industrial complex, Tamil Nadu, India. Mine Water Environ 24:155–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khan I, Javed A, Khursid S (2013) Physico-chemical analysis of surface and groundwater around Singrauli Coal Field, District Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh, India. Environ Earth Sci 68:1849–1861

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirby CS, Cravotta CA III (2005) Net alkalinity and net acidity: practical consideration. Appl Geochem 20:1941–1964

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar AR, Riyzuddin P (2008) Application of chemometric techniques in the assessment of groundwater pollution in a suburban area of Chenai city, India. Curr Sci 94:1012–1022

    Google Scholar 

  • Laroeque ACL, Rasmussen PE (1998) An overview of trace metals in the environment, from mobilization to remediation. Environ Geol 33:85–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lowson RT, Reedy BJ, Beattie JK (1993) The chemistry of acid mine drainage. Chem Aust 60:389–391

    Google Scholar 

  • Meng SX, Maynard JB (2001) Use of statistical analysis to formulate conceptual models of geochemical behavior: water chemical data from Butucatu aquifer in Sao State, Brazil. J Hydrol 250:78–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mondal GC, Singh AK, Singh TB, Tewary BK, Sinha A (2013) Hydrogeochemistry and quality assessment of mine water of West Bokaro coalfields, Hazaribag, Jharkhand, India. J Mater Sci and Eng A 3:540–549

    Google Scholar 

  • Nordstrom DK, Ball JW (1989) Mineral saturation states in natural waters and their sensitivity to thermodynamic and analytical errors. Sci Géol Bull 42:269–280

    Google Scholar 

  • Parkhurst DL, Appelo CAJ (1999) User’s guide to PHREEQC (ver.2) - A computer program for speciation, batch-reaction, one-dimensional transport and inverse geochemical calculations, US Geol Sur Water Resources Investigations Report, 99–4259, p.310

  • Pathak V, Banerjee AK (1992) Mine water pollution studies in Chapha incline, Umaria coalfield, eastern Madhya Pradesh, India. Mine Water Environ 11:27–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pawar NJ, Pawar JB, Kumar S, Supekar A (2008) Geochemical eccentricity of ground water allied to weathering of basalts from the Deccan volcanic province, India: insinuation of CO2 consumption. Aquat Geochem 14:41–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piper A (1944) A graphical procedure in the geochemical interpretation of water analysis. Am Geophys Union Trans 25:914–928

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prasanna MV, Chidambaram S, Kumar SG, Ramanathan AL, Nainwal HC (2011) Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater in Neyveli Basin, Cuddalore District, South India. Arab J Geosci 4:319–330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raja Rao CS (1983) Coalfields of India Vol III: coal resources of Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir. Bulletins Geol Survey India, Series A 45:75–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhades JD, Berstein L (1971) Chemical physical and biological characteristics of irrigation and soil water. In: Ciaccio (eds.) Water and Water Pollution Marcel Dekker Inc. New York

  • Rose AW, Cravotta III (1998) Geochemistry of coal mine drainage. In: Brady KBC, Smith MW, Schueck J (Eds.) Coal Mine Drainage Prediction and Pollution Prevention in Pennsylvania. Department of Environmental Protection, 5600-BK-DEP2256, Harrisburg, PA, pp.1.11-1.22

  • Rosner U (1998) Effects of historical mining activities on surface water and groundwater—an example from northwest Arizona. Environ Geol 33:224–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saleh A, Al-Ruwaih F, Shehata M (1999) Hydrogeochemical processes operating within the main aquifers of Kuwait. J Arid Environ 42:195–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarin MM, Krishnaswamy S, Dilli K, Somayajulu BLK, Moore WS (1989) Major ion chemistry of the Ganga -Brahmaputra river system: weathering processes and fluxes to the Bay of Bengal. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 53:997–1009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar BC, Mahanata BN, Saikia K, Paul PR, Singh G (2007) Geo-environmental quality assessment in Jharia coalfield, India, using multivariate statistics and geographic information system. Environ Geol 51:1177–1196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sawyer CN, McCarty PL (1967) Chemistry of sanitary engineers, 2nd edit McGraw Hill, NewYork, USA

  • Singh G (1987) Mine water quality deterioration due to due to acid mine drainage. Int J of Mine Water 6:49–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh G (1994) Augmentation of underground pumped out water for potable purpose from coal mines of Jharia coalfield. Proc, 5th International Mine Water Congress, vol 2, Nottingham, UK, pp 679–689

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh KP, Malik A, Singh VK, Mohan D, Sinha S (2005) Chemometric analysis of groundwater quality data of alluvial aquifer of Gangetic plain, north India. Anal Chim Acta 550:82–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh AK, Mondal GC, Singh S, Singh PK, Singh TB, Tewary BK, Sinha A (2007) Aquatic geochemistry of Dhanbad district, coal city of India: source evaluation and quality assessment. J Geol Soc Ind 69:1088–1102

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh AK, Mondal GC, Tewary BK, Sinha, A (2009) Major ion chemistry, solute acquisition processes and quality assessment of mine water in Damodar valley coalfields, India. Proc International Mine Water Conference (IMWC-2009) pp 267–276

  • Singh AK, Mahato M, Neogi B, Singh KK (2010) Quality assessment of mine water in the Raniganj coalfield area, India. Mine Water Environ 29:248–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh AK, Mahato AK, Neogi B, Tewary BK, Sinha A (2012) Environmental geochemistry and quality assessment of mine water of Jharia coalfield, India. Environ Earth Sci 65:49–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sreedevi PD (2004) Groundwater quality of Pageru river basin, Cudapah district, Andhra Pradesh. J Geol Soc India 64:619–636

    Google Scholar 

  • Stallard RF, Edmond JM (1983) Geochemistry of the Amazon: 2. the influence of the geology and weathering environment on the dissolved load. J Geophys Res 88:9671–9688

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stumm W, Morgan JJ (1996) Aquatic chemistry, chemical equilibria and rates in natural waters, 3rd edn. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Subba Rao N (1993) Environmental impact of industrial effluents in groundwater regions of Visakhapatnam industrial complex. Indian J Geol 65:35–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan PJ, Yelton JL (1988) An evaluation of trace element release associated with acid mine drainage. Environ Geol and Water Sci 12:181–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szabolcs I, Darab C (1964) The influence of irrigation water of high sodium carbonate content of soils. In: Szabolcs I (ed), Proc, 8th Int Cong Int Soc Soil Sci, Res Inst Soil Sci Agro Chem, Hungarian Acad Sci, p 803–812

  • Thompson JG (1980) Acid mine waters in South Africa and their amelioration. Water SA 6:130–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiwary RK (2001) Environmental impact of coal mining on water regime and its management. Water Air Soil Pollut 132:185–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • USSL (US Salinity Laboratory) (1954) Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils. US Department of Agriculture Hand Book, 60, 160

  • Ward JH (1963) Hierarchical grouping to optimize an objective function. J Am Stat Assoc 58:236–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilcox LV (1955) Classification and use of irrigation waters. USDA. Circular. 969, Washington DC, USA, p 19

    Google Scholar 

  • Younger PL (1995) Hydrogeochemistry of mine waters flowing from abandoned coal workings in the Durham coalfield. Quaternary J Eng Geol Hydrogeol 28:101–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Younger PL, Banwart SA, Hedin RS (2002) Mine water—hydrology, pollution, remediation. Kluwer Acad Pub, Dordrecht, The Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Director, Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research for his kind support and permission to publish this paper. Financial support by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, under its 11th Five Year Plan Project (IAP-006) is gratefully acknowledged. We thank Dr. K. B. Singh and other laboratory colleagues for their support and encouragement.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIR - Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research), Barwa Road, Dhanbad, 826 015, India

    Abhay Kumar Singh, Nitin P. Varma & Guatum Chandra Mondal

Authors
  1. Abhay Kumar Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nitin P. Varma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Guatum Chandra Mondal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abhay Kumar Singh.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Singh, A.K., Varma, N.P. & Mondal, G.C. Hydrogeochemical investigation and quality assessment of mine water resources in the Korba coalfield, India. Arab J Geosci 9, 278 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-015-2298-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-015-2298-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation