Scholarlink

<p>Coal mining significantly alters soil geochemistry through excavation, overburden deposition, and acid mine drainage (AMD), potentially leading to trace metal enrichment and ecological risks. This study evaluates heavy metal contamination in soils from coal mining–influenced areas of East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya using contamination indices (contamination factor&#xa0;(CF); enrichment factor (EF); geo-accumulation index (<i>I</i><sub>geo</sub>)), potential ecological risk (PER), and principal component analysis (PCA). Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb, Al, and Zn were analyzed to determine their distribution, source characteristics&#xa0;and associated ecological implications. CF and EF results indicate that Fe, Cr, Al&#xa0;and Mn are primarily governed by lithogenic control, reflecting the influence of parent material and aluminosilicate and iron-bearing mineral phases. In contrast, localized enrichment of Pb, Ni, and Cu—particularly at the most impacted site—suggests mining-related inputs linked to overburden exposure, coal handling, and AMD-mediated mobilization. <i>I</i><sub>geo</sub> values largely classify the soils as unpolluted to moderately polluted, though site-specific elevations were observed. PCA further supports these findings, with Fe–Cr–Al–Mn clustering together, indicating natural geogenic origin, while Pb and Cu load separately, signifying anthropogenic influence. Nickel (Ni) exhibited contrasting behavior, likely due to enhanced mobility under acidic conditions. The calculated risk index (RI) values fall within the low ecological risk category; however, Pb and Ni contributed relatively higher ecological risk factors at impacted sites. Overall, the study highlights dominant lithogenic control with superimposed mining-induced perturbations at localized hotspots. Continuous monitoring and improved mine waste management are recommended to mitigate potential long-term environmental impacts and prevent progressive trace metal accumulation in the region.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Contamination status and potential ecological risk of heavy metals in coal mining–impacted soils of Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya: insights from pollution indices and exploratory PCA

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月18日

查看全文
  • Arnab Mandal,
  • Rakesh Basumatary,
  • W. J. Kharbhih,
  • Mangal Murmu,
  • Shantanu Dutta

摘要

Coal mining significantly alters soil geochemistry through excavation, overburden deposition, and acid mine drainage (AMD), potentially leading to trace metal enrichment and ecological risks. This study evaluates heavy metal contamination in soils from coal mining–influenced areas of East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya using contamination indices (contamination factor (CF); enrichment factor (EF); geo-accumulation index (Igeo)), potential ecological risk (PER), and principal component analysis (PCA). Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb, Al, and Zn were analyzed to determine their distribution, source characteristics and associated ecological implications. CF and EF results indicate that Fe, Cr, Al and Mn are primarily governed by lithogenic control, reflecting the influence of parent material and aluminosilicate and iron-bearing mineral phases. In contrast, localized enrichment of Pb, Ni, and Cu—particularly at the most impacted site—suggests mining-related inputs linked to overburden exposure, coal handling, and AMD-mediated mobilization. Igeo values largely classify the soils as unpolluted to moderately polluted, though site-specific elevations were observed. PCA further supports these findings, with Fe–Cr–Al–Mn clustering together, indicating natural geogenic origin, while Pb and Cu load separately, signifying anthropogenic influence. Nickel (Ni) exhibited contrasting behavior, likely due to enhanced mobility under acidic conditions. The calculated risk index (RI) values fall within the low ecological risk category; however, Pb and Ni contributed relatively higher ecological risk factors at impacted sites. Overall, the study highlights dominant lithogenic control with superimposed mining-induced perturbations at localized hotspots. Continuous monitoring and improved mine waste management are recommended to mitigate potential long-term environmental impacts and prevent progressive trace metal accumulation in the region.