J. Bio. & Env. Sci.

2015

Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES)

ISSN: 2220-6663 (Print) 2222-3045 (Online)
Vol. 6, No. 3, p. 33-39, 2015
http://www.innspub.net

RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS

Assessment of heavy metal pollution index for groundwater

around Jharia coalfield region, India

Binay Prakash Panigrahy, Prasoon Kumar Singh, Ashwani Kumar Tiwari, Bijendra
Kumar, Anjani kumar

Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad-826004,

Jharkhand, India

Article published on March 02, 2015

Key words: Heavy Metal Pollution Index, Groundwater, Heavy Metals, Jharia coalfield.

Abstract
Assessment of the seasonal variations of the groundwater with respect to heavy metals contamination. For this
purpose, 29 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for heavy metals such as cadmium, copper, iron,
manganese, lead and zinc of Jharia coalfield region. In majority of the samples, the analyzed heavy metals are
well within the desirable limits and water is potable for drinking purposes. However, concentration of the Fe and
Mn exceeding the desirable limits in many groundwater samples in both the seasons. The HPI of groundwater
was found 9.94 in pre-monsoon season and 5.24 in post-monsoon season. The HPI values of the samples within
study area are found below the critical pollution index (100) in both the seasons, which shows that the
groundwater was not polluted with respect of heavy metals.
*Corresponding Author: Binay Prakash Panigrahy  [email protected]

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Introduction contamination are mining, disposal of untreated and

Coal mining activity in India started decades back, partially treated effluents contain toxic metals, as well
since then the groundwater is getting affected with as metal chelates from different industries and
coal mining, leachates generated from large number indiscriminate use of heavy metal-containing
of industrial waste and overburden dumps that are in fertilizer and pesticides in agricultural fields (Hatje et
abundance around the mining areas, may reach the al., 1998; Amman et al., 2002; Nouri et al., 2006;
groundwater and may adversely affect its quality Nouri et al., 2008). However, public ignorance of
(Khan et al. 2005; Mohammad et al. 2010). environment and related considerations, lack of
Groundwater contamination is one of the most provisional basic social services, indiscriminate
important environmental problems in the present disposal of increasing anthropogenic wastes,
world where metal contamination has major concern unplanned application of agrochemicals, and
due to its high toxicity even at low concentration discharges of improperly treated sewage/industrial
(Marcovecchio et al. 2007; Momodu and Anyakora effluents; result in excess accumulation of pollutants
2010). Heavy metals contamination in the on the land surface and contamination of water
groundwater is one of the major issues in many fast resources (Tiwari et al. 2013; Singh et al. 2014). The
growing cities (Sundaray et al., 2006; Akoto et al., studies carried out by various researchers on water
2008; Ahmad et al., 2010). Enhancement of heavy quality by using different water quality indices across
metals contamination of the groundwater is one of India, including Jharkhand (Giri et al. 2010; Giri et
the serious environmental issues. Some of the heavy al. 2012; Singh et al 2013a, Prasad et al. 2014, Tiwari
metals considered as micronutrients become et al. 2014, Singh et al. 2014). Scarcity of clean and
detrimental to human health when their potable drinking water has emerged in recent years as
concentrations exceed the permissible level of one of the most serious developmental issues in many
drinking water (Prasanna et al. 2011). Rapid parts of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Orissa, Western
urbanization, especially in developing countries like Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and
India has affected the availability and the quality of Punjab (Tiwari & Singh 2014). The present study
the groundwater due to its overexploitation and aimed to investigate the groundwater quality status
improper waste disposal, especially in urban areas with respect to heavy metal concentrations in mining
(Ramakrishnaiah et.al. 2009). The weathering of areas of Jharia coalfield. In the present study, six
natural resources such as rocks bearing minerals is important heavy metals such as iron, manganese,
one of the major causes of heavy metal contamination lead, copper, cadmium, and zinc have been evaluated
in groundwater; anthropogenic sources include in 29 groundwater samples, obtained from different
fertilizers, industrial effluent and leakage from service places of Jharia coalfield for post-monsoon and pre-
pipes. Heavy metals occur in the earth’s crust and monsoon seasons of the year 2013.
may get solubilised in ground water through natural
processes. Moreover, groundwater can get Materials and methods
contaminated with heavy metals from landfill Study area
leachates, seawage leachates from mine tailings, deep A Jharia coalfield (JCF) area is one of the most
well disposals of liquid wastes, seepage from important coal mining areas in India. It is roughly
industrial waste lagoons or from industrial spills and elliptical or sickles – shaped, located in Dhanbad
leaks (Evanko and Dzombak, 1997). Usually in district of Jharkhand lies between latitude 23o39/ N
unaffected environments, the concentration of most and 23o48/ N and longitudes 86o11/ E and 86o27/ E. It
of the metals is very low and is mostly derived from stretches from Chandanpura on the west to Sindri on
the mineralogy and the weathering (Karbassi et al., the east. The main component of the natural drainage
2008). Main anthropogenic sources of heavy metal in JCF is the Damodar River. There are eight major

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streams, a few perennials and the rest intermittent, Khudia, Jamuniya, Kumari and Bansjora etc. (Fig .1).
which drains the JCF from north to south to join the Detail location with latitude and longitutide of
Damodar River. They are Tisra, Chatkari, Katri, sampling given in Table 1.

Table 1. Sampling location of Jharia coalfield.

S.No. Location Latitude Longitude Elevation
W1 Near Bararee Colliery 23°43'26" 86°24'35" 623
W2 Bhoolan Bararee 23°43'27" 86°24'36" 642
W3 Jealgora-7 No. 23°47'42" 86°19'40" 731
W4 Bhowrah South 23°40'41" 86°24'26" 526
W5 Digwadih Campus 23°41'46" 86°25'19" 552
W6 Bararee 23°43'25" 86°24'34" 622
W7 Bhagamor 23°47'37" 86°18'07" 599
W8 South Tisra 23°47'38" 86°19'08" 613
W9 Joyrampur 23°47'40" 86°19'20" 588
W10 Ghanudih 4-No 23°44’47” 86°26’14” 667
W11 Ghanudih 4-No 23°44’48” 86°26’25” 665
W12 Ghanudih 4-No 23°44’47” 86°26’24” 661
W13 Bera Colliery 23°46’06” 86°25’53” 656
W14 Chandmari Colliery 23°45’38” 86°25’15” 784
W15 Bengali Kothi 23°45’38” 86°25’15” 645
W16 Victory 23°45’50” 86°24’44” 690
W17 Goluckhdih 23°44’80” 86°26’33” 637
W18 Dobari 23°45’20” 86°25’57” 638
W19 Khas Kusunda 23°44’82” 86°26’37” 642
W20 East-Basseria 23°45’30” 86°26’41” 650
W21 Bhalgora 23°47’37” 86°18’07” 584
W22 Tetulmari Road 23°48’5.8” 86°20’07” 675
W23 Akashkinari 23°47’48” 86°16’11” 640
W24 Sonardih 23°46’37” 86°14’21” 794
W26 Phulawartar 23°46’37” 86°14’12” 690
W27 Loyabad 23°47’49” 86°16’13” 698
W28 Mooraidih 23°48’16” 86°13’59” 330
W29 Baghmara 23°47’37” 86°18’07” 590

the Jharia coalfield basin runs west-north –west –

east-south-east and is petering gently towards west
and can be seen by the dips of the Raniganj strata
along the Jamunia River. (Fig .2)

Fig. 1. Sampling sites in the study area.

Geology of the Jharia Coal field

Geology, the major feature is the great coal basin of
this region with intervening areas of crystalline rocks.
The ancient rock types of Dharwar and post Dharwar
period from the basement rock which the lower-
Fig. 2. Geology map of the Jharia coalfield.
Gondwana group. The region is important for its large
reserves of lower – gondwana coal distributed in
Sampling and analysis
these fields, these fields, the Jharia and chandrapura
A systematic sampling was carried for the assessment of
coalfield and the Barakar series, which extends into
ground water quality of Jharia coal mining area.
Raniganj coalfield in west Bengal. The main axis of

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 J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2015

Representative, 29 groundwater samples were Where Mi is the monitored value of heavy metal of ith
collected from different mines of Lodna, Bastacolla, parameter, Ii is the ideal value of the ith parameter
Sijua, Western Jharia, Block-II, Barora, and mining and Si is the standard value of the ith parameter. The
area of the study area (Fig 1). Sampling has been done sign (−) indicates numerical difference of the two
for the month of May (summer) 2013 and December values, ignoring the algebraic sign.
(winter) 2013 to get an idea of the seasonal variation
of the heavy metal concentrations. All samples have Result and discussion
been digested, concentrated and prepared for analysis The concentration of six heavy metals in groundwater
by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) of Jharia coalfield region such as Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cd,
methods using model: M Series Thermo Fisher and Zn of pre-monsoon seasons is listed in table 2
(Arnold et al. 1992). Analysis of these metals were and post-monsoon season in table 3. The mean
performed by calibrating the instrument with concentrations of Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cd, , and Zn were
different dilutions of standard solutions and analysis 0.854, 0.033, 0.0056, 0.045, 0.00092, 0.092 mg/l,
of Cu, Mn, Pb, Fe, Cd, Zn and Cr was performed at for pre-monsoon and for post-monsoon 0.663,
324.7, 279.5, 217.0, 248.3, 228.8, 213.9 and 357.9 nm, 0.0231, 0.0053,0.049,0.00044 and 0.0676 mg/l
respectively. which include total twenty nine groundwater
sampling points for two seasons of the year. From the
Heavy metal pollution index results, it has been observed that concentrations of
Heavy metal pollution index (HPI) is a technique of heavy metals such as Cu, Pb, and Zn were well below
rating that provides the composite influence of the permissible limits of Indian drinking water
individual heavy metal on the overall quality of water. standard (IS: 10500). The concentration of Mn and
The rating is a value between zero and one, reflecting Fe has been found more than the highest desirable
the relative importance of individual quality limit of drinking water standard at many places, in
considerations and inversely proportional to the both the seasons. The concentration of Fe in summer
recommended standard (Si) for each parameter (Reza has exceeded the highest desirable value of 0.3 mg/l
& Singh, 2010; Prasad and Kumari, 2008; Mohan, at sampling points 4, 8, 9, 10 11, 12, 20.Excess iron is
Natalia & Reddy, 1996). In the present formula, unit an endemic water quality problem in many party of
weightages (Wi) is taken as value inversely India (Singh et al 2013b). Lowason 1993 reported
proportional to the recommended standard (Si) of the that in Jharia coalfield mineral pyrite (FeS2) found as
corresponding parameter. Iron, manganese, lead, a secondary mineral in the coal and associated
copper chromium and zinc have been monitored for sediment. It is observed high value of Fe due to
the model index application. The HPI model weathering of pyrites (Lowason et., al 1993). Since the
proposed is given by Mohan et al. (1996). weightages (Wi) given to Fe and Mn is very less, in
evaluation of HPI of groundwater, these parameters
do not contribute much on HPI value. Heavy metals

(1) like Pb, Cd, and Cr have been given no relaxation in

Where, Qi is the sub-index of the ith parameter. Wi is drinkingwater standard and they have been given

the unit weightage of ith parameter, and n is the high weightages (Wi) value in HPI calculation.

number of parameters considered. Concentration of Cu and Zn has not been found at any
sampling point in any season higher than the

The sub index (Qi) of the parameter is calculated by desirable limit of drinking water standard. The heavy

Eq. (2) metal pollution index is calculated for the season pre-
monsoon is 9.94 and for the post-monsoon 5.25,
which is well below the critical index value 100. This
(2)

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 J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2015

index value indicates that in general the groundwater sampling points of groundwater showing in table 4.
is not contaminated with respect to the heavy metal Post-monsoon season showing good quality of
pollution. The HPI calculated with mean groundwater in terms of heavy metal with compare to
concentration values of all metals including all pre-monsoon season.

Table 2. Statistical parameter of Heavy metal (pre-monsoon).

SL.NO Constituents Min Max Mean SD SE
1 Fe(mg/L) 0.471 2.456 0.854 0.786 0.145
2 Cu(mg/L) 0.0012 0.01 0.005 0.003 0.0005
3 Mn(mg/L) 0.0023 0.0903 0.033 0.028 0.051
4 Zn(mg/L) 0.0015 1.124 0.092 0.0225 0.0041
5 Pb(mg/L) 0.00021 0.0124 0.0056 0.003 0.00057
6 cd(mg/L) 0.0001 0.024 0.00092 0.005 0.00092

Table 3. Statistical parameter of Heavy metal (post-monsoon).

SL.NO Constituents Min Max Mean SD SE
1 Fe(mg/L) 0.045 2.415 0.663 0.736 0.136
2 Cu(mg/L) 0.001 0.0312 0.004 0.006 0.0011
3 Mn(mg/L) 0.0023 0.087 0.023 0.19 0.035
4 Zn(mg/L) 0.006 0.43 0.068 0.110 0.020
5 Pb(mg/L) 0.0002 0.21 0.0053 0.005 0.00092
6 cd(mg/L) 0.0014 0.0093 0.00045 0.002 0.00037

Table 4. Calculation of Unit Weightages (Wi) and Standard Permissible Value (Si) based on the Indian
Standards (IS: 10500, 1993).
Highest
Permitted
Mean Concentration(Vi) Unit weight Sub index(Qi)
Heavy metals values for Wi× Qi
(ppm) age(Wi) (ppm)
water(Si)
(ppm)
Summer(s) Winter (w) S W S W
Fe(mg/L) 0.854 0.663 1.0 0.0381 85.4 66.3 3.25 2.52
Cu(mg/L) 0.0049 0.0044 1.5 0.0253 0.32 0.29 0.0080 0.0007
Mn(mg/L) 0.033 0.023 0.3 0.1265 11.0 7.66 1.39 0.96
Zn(mg/L) 0.092 0.0676 15 0.0025 0.61 0.45 0.0015 0.0015
Pb(mg/L) 0.0056 0.0053 0.05 0.0758 11.12 10.6 0.842 0.803
cd(mg/L) 0.00092 0.0004 0.01 3.7939 9.2 4.5 34.90 17.07

Conclusion metal pollution inspite of growth of mining and allied

In the present study, determine the heavy metals and activities. Post-monsoon season showing good quality
groundwater quality of the Jharia coalfield for of groundwater in terms of heavy metal with compare
drinking and domestic uses. In majority of the to pre-monsoon season.
samples, the analyzed heavy metals are well within
the desirable limits and water is potable for drinking Acknowledgement
purposes. However, concentration of the Fe and Mn The authors are thankful to Ministry of Water
exceeding the desirable limits in many groundwater Resources (MoWR), New Delhi for grant support. We
samples in both the seasons and required treatment are also grateful to Prof. D.C. Panigrahi, Director,
before its utilization for drinking purposes. Overall Indian School Mines, Dhanbad for his valuable
HPI calculated based on the mean concentration of support during the study.
the heavy metals was found for pre-monsoon is 9.94
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