International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 11 | Nov 2025
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
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ASSESSMENT OF SOIL QUALITY NEAR CHHAL COAL MINE IN RAIGARH CHHATTISGARH: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EASTERN AND WESTERN BANK OF MAND RIVER BASIN VILLAGE AREA Dr. Shweta Kumbhaj1, Anjali Verma2 1Asst. Professor, Department of Chemistry, Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Govt. College Jobi-Barra, Raigarh,
Chhattisgarh, India 2Research Scholar, Department of Botany, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India
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Abstract- This research investigated the physicochemical
formation of the Gondwana basin contains the coal from the chhal mine with a moisture content of 4–10%, ash of 10– 27% (mean ~18%), volatile matter of 22–35%, fixed carbon of 38–52%, and sulphur of less than 1%, it is categorised as sub-bituminous to high-volatile bituminous thermal (noncoking) coal (Singh et al., 2016; Ministry of Coal, 2020) [1,2]. Coal mining is one of the major industrial activities in Chhattisgarh, particularly in regions such as Raigarh, Korba, and Surguja, where open-cast mining has expanded rapidly in the past two decades. The ecology of the surroundings are drastically changed by coal mining. Open-cast and underground mining activities cause soil degradation, contaminate the air and water, and have a negative impact on human and animal health. Topsoil removal all lower soil fertility by increasing the accumulation of heavy metals and reducing organic carbon (Singh & Pandey, 2019)[3]. Residents in nearby areas suffer from respiratory illnesses (CPCB, 2019; Singh et al., 2020)[4,5]. Soil quality degradation is a major socio-environmental concern because communities surrounding coal mines are primarily dependent on agriculture and livestock. A comparative assessment of Eastern and Western villages around the Chhal and nearby coalfields provides insight into spatial variation in contamination levels influenced by mining intensity. Fig. 1 shows how coal mining in the Chhal region causes soil degradation, heavy metal contamination, and loss of fertility, and highlights modern mitigation technologies such as biochar, phytoremediation, and remote sensing to restore soil health. Land subsidence caused by mining activities can alter the water content, nutrient levels, and biological activity of the soil. A decrease in soil fertility, including lower concentrations of total nitrogen, dissolved organic carbon, and vital nutrients like phosphorus and potassium, is seen in regions impacted by land subsidence.
properties and nutrient dynamics of soils affected by coal mining activities in the Chhal mining region of India analysis revealed significant spatial variations in soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon, macronutrients (N, P, K), and trace metal concentrations across mine-affected (C1) and western control (S1–S5) sites. The C1 soil sample exhibited a markedly acidic pH of 4.89 and a low EC value of 0.29 dS/m, indicating leaching and reduced soluble salt content, which is typical of degraded mine soils. In contrast, the western samples displayed near-neutral pH and moderate EC, suggesting comparatively better soil health in the western region. The organic carbon content in C1 (0.28%) was substantially lower than that in the western samples, reflecting diminished microbial activity and organic matter accumulation due to mining-induced disturbances. However, the elevated concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in C1 were attributed to anthropogenic deposition and localized enrichment from mining emissions and mineralized rock weathering. Conversely, potassium levels were higher in western soils, likely resulting from enhanced mineral weathering and a stable soil structure. Trace metal analysis revealed elevated levels of Cr, Pb, Ni, and Zn in the C1 sample, confirming contamination by coal extraction and associated activities. Overall, the findings demonstrate that coal mining operations profoundly alter soil chemistry, reducing fertility, organic matter content, and microbial activity, while increasing heavy metal contamination. Such degradation underscores the need for targeted reclamation strategies and continuous soil monitoring to restore the ecological balance in mining-impacted landscapes. Key Words: Soil, physicochemical macronutrients, trace metal
properties,
1.INTRODUCTION Chhal mines, which are situated in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district, have a substantial impact on the adjacent villages' soil quality. The primary causes of the damage are coal mining operations and overburden dumping. The Barakar
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