Contamination and Sources of Surface Water in Korba Coal Basin, Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

In India, surface water reservoirs are widely harnessed to meet a variety of needs, including domestic, agricultural, and industrial applications. The quality of these resources, particularly in coal mine regions, undergoes substantial deterioration due to the discharge of various wastes (industrial, municipal, and runoff water) and coal ash deposition. The Korba basin, shaped by mining activities, shallow groundwater levels, and the flow of the expansive Hasedo River, features numerous ponds, pit lakes, and canals. A significant health concern in this area is the prevalence of fluorosis disease among the local population. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the water quality of reservoirs, including ponds, pit lakes, canals, and rivers, with a focus on identifying contaminant levels and tracing the sources of chemical species such as carbonate and organic carbons, anions, and metals. During the period from 2012 to 2017, elevated carbon contents (varying from 1010 to 4420 mg·L− 1) markedly contributed to increased total dissolved solids (TDS), with values ranging between 2865 and 5540 mg·L− 1. fluoride (F−), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) concentrations in all surface water bodies exhibited variations within the ranges of 1.8–4.4, 0.42–1.91, 0.3–1.22, and 1.0–2.1 mg·L− 1, respectively. This study delves into the temporal and seasonal variations, water quality indices, and toxicities associated with the identified contaminants.