Environmental Challenges in Coal Mining: Investigating Dust Pollution, Heavy Metals, and Sustainable Remediation with Indigenous Plants
摘要
The re-suspension of high-concentration toxic metal-bearing particles in the coal mine area significantly contributes to particulate matter, thereby posing adverse effects on air quality and human health. Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh, was selected as the sampling site. Sampling were focused on trees, shrubs, and dust from the roadside. Notably, among all the locations studied, those in close proximity to the thermal power plant were found to be significantly contaminated with metals like Zn, Cr and Ni. These metals can accumulate in the human body through diverse exposure pathways, exerting consequential effects on human health. Bioaccessiblity of metal were also examined and revealed that gastric phase had higher metal accumulation, indicating greater bioaccessibility than the intestinal phase. Specifically, in areas near the coal mine and industrial zone, Pb accumulated at rates of 24.8% and 22.7%, respectively, in the gastric phase, in the gastric phase. In the context of dust and heavy metal remediation, trees and shrubs are acknowledged as natural bioremediation agents, functioning as filters within the ecosystem. Additionally, trees like Ficus bengalensis and Butea monosperma were observed to be effective dust collectors for particulate matter (PM) of various sizes, including PM 10, 2.5, and 0.2 µm. Additionally, the species B. monosperma exhibited tolerance to metals, including As, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb, and Zn. Out of all the shrubs, Lantana camara demonstrated a greater capacity for accumulating metals like Cu, Mn, Zn, and As. The research suggests employing these plants to effectively capture both PM and associated metals, with the goal of establishing green belts in urban areas.