Hydrogeochemistry, Elemental Flux, and Quality Assessment of Mine Water in the Pootkee-Balihari Mining Area, Jharia Coalfield, India

Ninety nine mine water discharge samples were collected and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), major cations, anions, and trace metals in the Pootkee-Balihari coal mining area of the Jharia coalfield. The mines of the area annually discharge 34.80 x 10(6) m(3) of mine water and 39,099 t of solute loads. The pH of the analyzed mine waters ranged from 6.97 to 8.62. EC values ranged from 711 mu S cm(-1) to 1862 mu S cm(-1), and reflect variations in lithology, geochemical processes, and hydrological regimes in the mines. The cation and anion chemistry indicate the general ionic abundance as: Mg(2+) > Ca(2+) > Na(+) > K(+) and HCO(3) (-) > SO(4) (2-) > Cl(-) > NO(3) (-) > F(-), respectively. Elevated SO(4) (2-) concentrations in the Gopalichuck, Kendwadih, and Kachhi-Balihari mine waters are attributed to pyrite weathering. The water quality assessment indicated that TDS, hardness, Mg(2+), and SO(4) (2-) are the major parameters of concern in the study area. Except for Fe, all of the measured metals in the mine water were well within the levels recommended for drinking water. With only a few exceptions, the mine water is of good to permissible quality and suitable for irrigation.