Impact of mining on ground-water quality in an iron ore mining area from Goa

The prime objective of this work is to assess the quality of ground-water in the mining dominated area of Kudne village in Bicholim taluka of the state of Goa. Ground water samples from ten wells of different wards in the mining area were collected during the pre-monsoon season (April-May, 2012). Various hyrdogeochemical and physical parameters such as pH, TDS, dissolved oxygen conductivity, Fe, Mn, turbidity, alkalinity, hardness, SO₄, Ca, Mg, Na and K were determined and analyzed by using a Correlation and Regression method in order to ascertain the quality of ground water in the mining affected area. The results revealed increase in the content of iron (0.06 to 0.38 mg/l), and Manganese (0.02 to 0.11mg/l) in the ground water. The iron and Manganese concentrations were on the higher side in some wells when compared with the WHO standard. Consumption of water with large amount of iron and manganese can cause damage of the body organs. Hardness was noted to be very high in some cases. However, other parameters were found to be within the standard limits. The ground-water quality was found to be contaminated from surrounding areas of mining in some cases but the situation is not alarming. Necessary measures however, are needed to protect the ground water and the effect of metal contaminated water on human health on case to case basis should be monitored.