Twenty eight surface water samples were collected from fourteen sites of the West Bokaro coalfield, India. The concentration of Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, As, Se, Al, Cr, Ba, and Fe were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for determination of seasonal fluctuations and a heavy metal pollution index (HPI). The HPI values were below the critical pollution index value of 100. Metal concentrations were higher in the pre-monsoon season as compared to the post-monsoon season. The Zn, Ni, Mn, As, Se, Al, Ba, Cu, and Cr concentrations did not exceed the desirable limits for drinking water in either season. However, at many sites, concentrations of Fe were above the desirable limit of the WHO (2006) and Indian drinking water standard (BIS 2003) in both seasons. The water that contained higher concentrations of Fe would require treatment before domestic use.

In a qualitative assessment of mine water from the Raniganj coalfield, 77 mine water samples were analyzed to assess water quality and suitability for domestic, industrial, and irrigation uses. The pH of the mine water ranged from 6.5 to 8.8. Total dissolved solids (TDS) ranged from 171 to 1,626 mg L -1 ; spatial differences between the TDS values reflect variations in lithology, activities, and prevailing hydrological regime. The anion chemistry was dominated by HCO 3 -and SO 4 2-. On average, Cl -contributes 10 and 19% of the total anionic balance, respectively, in the Barakar and Raniganj Formation mine water. F -and NO 3 -contribute\2% to the total anions. The cation chemistry is dominated by Mg 2? and Ca 2? in the mine water of the Barakar Formation and Na ? in the Raniganj Formation mines. Much of the mine water, especially of the Barakar Formation area, has high TDS, total hardness, and SO 4 concentrations. Concentrations of some trace metals (i.e. Fe, Cr, Ni) were found to be above the levels recommended for drinking water. However, the mine water can be used for irrigation, except at some sites, especially in the Raniganj Formation area, where high salinity, sodium adsorption ratio, %Na, residual sodium carbonate, and excess Mg restrict its suitability for agricultural uses.

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Water Quality Index (WQI), a technique of rating water quality, is an effective tool to assess quality and ensure sustainable safe use of water for drinking. The present work is aimed to assess the groundwater quality of West Bokaro coalfield region for knowing the suitability of drinking purpose by calculating the WQI and using Geographical Information System (GIS) techniques. Thirty three groundwater samples were collected from dug wells during post-monsoon, 2012 for comprehensive physico-chemical analysis. Ten parameters were considered for calculating the WQI such as: pH, fluoride (F -), chloride (Cl -), nitrate (NO 3 -), sulphate(SO 4 2-), bicarbonate (HCO 3 -) calcium(Ca 2+ ), magnesium (Mg 2+ ), total hardness (TH) and total dissolved solid (TDS). The spatial distribution maps of the above mentioned parameters were prepared by using GIS, software. The computed WQI value ranges from 21 to 131 with an overall average of WQI value 73. More than half of the locations fall in Excellent to Good category indicating the groundwater in the study area is suitable for drinking purposes.

A long mining history and unscientific exploitation of Jharia coalfield caused many environmental problems including water resource depletion and contamination. A geochemical study of mine water in the Jharia coalfield has been undertaken to assess its quality and suitability for domestic, industrial and irrigation uses. For this purpose, 92 mine water samples collected from different mining areas of Jharia coalfield were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), major cations (Ca 2? , Mg 2? , Na ? , K ? ), anions (F -, Cl -, HCO 3 -, SO 4 2-, NO 3 -), dissolved silica (H 4 SiO 4 ) and trace metals. The pH of the analysed mine water samples varied from 6.2 to 8.6, indicating mildly acidic to alkaline nature. Concentration of TDS varied from 437 to 1,593 mg L -1 and spatial differences in TDS values reflect the variation in lithology, surface activities and hydrological regime prevailing in the region. SO 4 2-and HCO 3 -are dominant in the anion and Mg 2? and Ca 2? in the cation chemistry of mine water. High concentrations of SO 4 2-in the mine water of the area zare attributed to the oxidative weathering of pyrites. Ca-Mg-SO 4 and Ca-Mg-HCO 3 are the dominant hydrochemical facies. The drinking water quality assessment indicates that number of mine water samples have high TDS, total hardness and SO 4 2-concentrations and needs treatment before its utilization. Concentrations of some trace metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb) were also found to be above the desirable levels recommended for drinking water. The mine water is good to permissible quality and suitable for irrigation in most cases. However, higher salinity, residual sodium carbonate and Mg-ratio restrict its suitability for irrigation at some sites.