Water Characterization of Coal Mining Areas of Lakhra, Sindh

*Mahboob Ali Kalhoro, Gulzar Hussain Jhatail and Santosh Kumar

Fuel Research Centre, PCSIR, Karachi, Pakistan.

Email: kalhoro786pk@yahoo.com

Accepted 06 December

Abstract

Coal mining is causing adverse effects on water in the vicinity of mining areas throughout the world. Discharged water from mines shows alteration in the physical properties and may be acidic depending upon the concentration of heavy metals and sulfate ions which in turn depends upon the pyrite contents of the coal. It degrades the water quality by lowering pH value, increasing turbidity and total suspended and dissolved solid contents which pose hazardous effects on groundwater and ecosystem. This paper deals with the characterization of water being affected by coal mining in the Lakhra area of Sindh. Total eleven samples were collected from different water sources including groundwater, mine outflows, mine inflows and surface water in the vicinity of coal mine. All samples except that of groundwater showed higher turbidity, lower pH values and higher total solid contents. Higher concentration of Fe and Cu in all samples indicate higher acid mine drainage (AMD).

Keywords: Water pollution, Mine water characterization, Effect of mining on water