Assessment of Hydrogeochemical Processes and Mine Water Suitability for Domestic, Irrigation, and Industrial Purposes in East Bokaro Coalfield, India

Mine water samples collected from the East Bokaro coalfield were analysed to assess suitability for domestic, irrigation, and industrial purposes. The pH of the samples ranged from 6.78 to 8.11 in the pre-monsoon season, 5.89-8.51 during the monsoon season, and 6.95-8.48 in the post-monsoon season. The anion chemistry was dominated by HCO3 (-) and SO4 (2-), with minor amounts of Cl-, NO3 (-) and F-. The Fe concentrations exceeded the maximum permissible limit of the BIS drinking water standard in about 44% of the collected samples. Turbidity, TDS, Fe, total hardness (TH), SO4 (2-), and Mg2+ also sometimes exceeded drinking water limits. The TDS, TH and SO4 (2-) concentrations of the mine water makes it unsuitable for domestic purposes or for industrial use; high values of %Na, SAR, RSC, and Mg-hazard at certain sites restrict its suitability for agricultural use.