Heavy Metal Pollution Assessment in Surface Water Bodies and its Suitability for Irrigation around the Neyevli Lignite Mines and Associated Industrial Complex, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Opencast lignite mines, pit-head thermal power plants, and other associated industries in the Neyveli mining and industrial complex generate huge quantities of solid and liquid wastes that are contaminated with heavy metals. Some of these are toxic or carcinogenic at sufficient concentrations. Copper, Zn, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cd, Cr, Co, Pb, and Hg concentrations in surface water in the study area are from 2 to 1200 times higher than average concentrations in river water worldwide. Heavy metal contamination in the natural reservoirs (Peria, Kolakudi, Walaza, and Perumal Ponds, and the Paravannar River) is mainly due to the discharge of untreated mine water, fly-ash pond water, and effluents from associated industries. These waters have long been used for bathing, washing, animal watering, etc. Untreated mine and industrial waste water, and natural reservoir water have been used by nearby villagers for irrigation for the last four decades, which may have led to deterioration of soils, surface water, and groundwater. Heavy metal analyses of mine water, fly-ash pond and industrial effluents and the natural reservoirs reveals that Co, Cr, and Hg are above the recommended irrigation water quality standards in 17%, 75%, and 100% of the samples, respectively. Most samples were within the permissible limits for Mn, Ni, and Fe, while Pb, Zn, Cd, and Cu were within the limits in all samples. At elevated concentrations, toxic metals like Cr, Co, and Hg can accumulate in soils and enter the food chain, leading to serious health hazards and threatening the long-term sustainability of the local ecosystem.

Heavy Metals Concentration Influence on Aquatic Macrophytes, Sediment and Water in Lagoa Da Francesa (Parintins -Am)

“…They may affect the biota to be incorporated into the food chain and therefore cause damage to human health (Khan et al, 2005).…”

Impacts of Coal Mine Water and Damodar River Water Irrigation on Soil and Maize (Zea mays L.) in a Coalfield Area of Damodar Valley, India

“…The discharged CMW varies greatly in the concentration of contaminants and in some cases it may even meet the drinking water specifications (Singh et al, 2010). Many times, the discharged CMW as such is not usable and may contain unacceptable levels of heavy metals, toxic anions, organic and biological contaminants (Khan et al, 2005;Gupta, 1999). The CMW resource may act as a potential water source in the water scare mining areas and by adopting a suitable water management strategy and treatment process, the CMW generated during mining operations may be harnessed and utilized to meet the regional water demand for domestic, industrial and irrigation uses (Singh, 1994;Tiwary and Dhar, 1994).…”

Hydrogeochemical characterisation of Shallow and Deep aquifers in and around Limestone Mining Area from Gadchandur, Chandrapur District (Maharashtra), India

“…Min. quantity of surface and ground water resources in many parts of world (Allen et al, 1996;Choubey, 1991;Gupta, 1999;Khan et al 2005;Singh et al 2008;Singh 1998;Tiwary 2001;Soni, 2007). Mining activity, thus in many areas can seriously pollute surface and groundwater resources.…”