DETERMINATION OF ARSENIC IN THE WATER OF COAL MINING AREAS OF ASSAM

Abstract

The occurrence of Arsenic (As), in various water bodies from the coal mining areas of Assam in the north-eastern part of India has been reported in this work. The coalmines of Assam are a major source of acid mine drainage due to the presence of pyrites along with the coal deposits. Both open cast and underground mining of coal are done in that area. Rainwater runoff carries the acid mine drainage from the waste piles to the nearby water bodies. In the present work, water from three types of sources, viz., ponds, wells and rivers from the area was systematically investigated to determine the concentration of arsenic. Most of the water sources were found to be polluted by arsenic with pond water and well water having much more contamination. The permissibility levels for arsenic was exceeded in a large number of cases and the high arsenic content may be due to the entry of acid mine drainage into the water that contain arsenic, dissolved from coal. The results are discussed in the light of possible adverse effects.