Particulate Pollution in Coal Mining Area of Jharia Coalfield

Abstract

Coal is the main source of energy in India. Among all coal mining area, Jharia Coalfield (JCF) occupies an important place in India's industrial and energy scenario by virtue of being the only storehouse of prime coking coal and important source of coal for the thermal power generation and is also referred as coal capital of India. The present study was conducted during 2008-2009 to assess the sources of particulate matter in coal mining area. This region covers several coal mining/industrial areas, residential, commercial and mixed use areas. In the present study, assessment of particulate pollution in coal mining area was done by trace metal analysis using EPM 2000 filter paper followed by acid digestion, extraction and analysis through Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The annual average suspended particulate matter (SPM) and respirable particulate matter (PMw) concentrations varied from 425-738 µg /m3 and 170- 339 µg /m3 respectively. This was followed by source profile study. The two approaches were adopted including principal factor analysis (Varimax rotated analysis) and Enrichment factor analysis to identify sources. The major sources of particulate matter were mainly from resuspended soil dust and earth crust, emissions from automobile exhaust, coal mining and associated activities, fugitive emissions, industries and oil combustion, etc.