IMPACT OF COAL ON GROUND WATER CHEMISTRY IN LAKHRA (SINDH)

Abstract

Lakhra coalfield is the second largest coalfield of Pakistan covering an area of 680 km². Water samples were collected from six shallow dug wells in the region and analyzed from environmental geochemistry point of view. Results show that the Electrical Conductivity and Total Dissolved Solids are high i.e. EC = 800-1210µS/cm and TDS = 568-847 mg/l in all the samples and SO, is also higher at some places. Heavy metals were analyzed by atomic absorption and it has been observed that Fe is also high (844 µg/l), while Ni, Cu, Pb, and Cd are within the limit set by US-EPA. Results show that the underground coal is contaminating groundwater and has adverse affected on the health of population using this dug well water.