Journal of Environmental Biology

Analysis of physico-chemical characteristics and metals in

water sources of chromite mining in Sukinda Valley,

Odisha, India

Koushik Dutta and Apurba Ratan Ghosh*

Department of Environmental Science, University of Burdwan, Burdwan-713 104, India

*Corresponding Author email : apurbaghosh2010@gmail.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

29 June 2011

Revised received:

12 February 2012

Re-revised received:

07 December 2012

Accepted:

24 December 2012

Abstract

The extraction of chromite is being carried out since 1950 in Sukinda valley region of Odisha in India. Different physico-chemical parameters and level of metals in groundwater (tube well and dug well), surface water (Damsal nala), mining drainage water and bottom sediment of Damsal nala were analysed. The results revealed that the total Cr content of groundwater (0.04-0.07 ppm), Damsal nala (0.10 - 0.20 ppm) and mine drainage water (20.12-56.51 ppm) exceeded the permissible limit in all seasons. The Cr (VI) content of mine drainage water exceeded the permissible limit (0.05 ppm as per the recommendation of WHO). The pH (6.5-7.9), available N (6.27-18.82 kg ha^-1), available  PO₄^-3 (15.39-123.11 kg ha^-1), available K⁺ (21.07-410.89 kg ha^-1) and organic matter (0.20-1.55%) content of bottom sediment of Damsal nala varied seasonally and the lowest values were found during monsoon. The physico-chemical characteristics of water from Damsal nala, groundwater and mine drainage, like COD, total Fe, TDS, TSS, F^-, available PO₄^-3, available K⁺ etc., including pH are a serious concerned in this study area.

Key words

Physico-chemical characteristics, Chromite mining, Sukinda Valley Region, Bottom sediments

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