Status of air pollution due to opencast coal mining and its control in Indian context

The extraction of coking, coal in, India is increasing in a rapid rate to meet the demand and to reduce the import by expanding opencast mines. This paper discusses the justification of selecting air-monitoring stations and focuses on the methodology adopted for sampling and analysis to evaluate status of air pollution due to OC mines. Four seasons monitoring data revealed that SPM, RPM, SO2 and NOx concentrations at different locations (industrial, residential and sensitive) exceeded the permissible limit. Dust fall rate was found to be high and percentage of soluble matter was 16-21 per cent. SPM and RPM concentration were found to be maximum during winter season. Mixing heights and ventilation coefficients were found to be minimum in January and maximum in April. Mixing heights were found to be maximum at midday and minimum at mid night. The study reveals that high coal production associated with heavy mechanization led to more air pollution problem in the areas. Methodologies for the control of air pollution are also discussed.