Risk Assessment Due to Intake of Metals in Groundwater of East Bokaro Coalfield, Jharkhand, India

Metals can be apprehended in the groundwater regime of East Bokaro coalfield known for its extensive medium-coking coal mining. To assess the metal pollution in groundwater, 32 samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Analysis of the results reveals that Fe and Mn exceeded the drinking water standards at most of the locations, while Ni and Cd exceeded the limits at few locations. To assess the risk due to intake of metals through drinking water, hazard quotient (HQ) was calculated using the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency method. Considering the mean concentration, the HQs of the metals were below 1 posing no threat to the people. However, considering the metals of each location, the HQ of Mn was above 1 at few locations posing risk to the local inhabitants. Also the hazard index was found to be greater than unity in many of the locations.