Spatio-temporal variation, integrated quantification of source attribution, and health risk assessment of metal trace element contamination in coal mining soils of the Eastern Raniganj basin, India

Chakraborty, Prasenjeet and Singh, Siddharth and Hazra, Bodhisatwa (2025) Spatio-temporal variation, integrated quantification of source attribution, and health risk assessment of metal trace element contamination in coal mining soils of the Eastern Raniganj basin, India. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 13 (3).

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Abstract

Metal trace element (TE) contamination from coal mining has severely impacted soil quality and human health in the Eastern Raniganj basin, India. To determine the most TE-polluted locations, potential TE sources, and associated health risks, this study integrated Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) and Human Health Risk (HHR) models. Eighty-three surface soil samples were collected and analyzed for 12 TEs (Fe, Al, Cr, Co, Ni, As, Mn, Cd, Pb, V, Cu, and Zn) during the post-monsoon season. All measured TEs, except As, exceeded their geochemical background values, with mean Pollution Load Index of 2.13 and Ecological Risk Index of 529.9, indicating severe contamination. Pearson correlation analysis suggested a substantial positive correlation (r > +0.6) amongst Cr, V, Co, Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn, and PLI, indicating homologous characteristics. The PMF model distinguished five pollution sources, with coal mining being the primary contributor. The integrated PMF-HHR model highlighted that factor F5 (coal mining operations, contributing 32.3 % of total variance) posed risks to both children and adults, with a total hazard index of 4.92E+ 01 for adults and 3.50E+ 02 for children. Ingestion and dermal contact were key exposure pathways for adults, while all three pathways affected children. The total cancer risk for children (2.37E-01) and adults (3.40E-02) indicated carcinogenic risks (CR) and Cr being common in all factors increasing the CR in children via different routes. This study provides a robust framework for understanding the spatio-temporal TE variation and HHR in coal mining regions, serving a reference for future mitigation strategies.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Soil contaminationTrace metal pollutionEnvironmental impact of coal miningPositive matrix factorization (PMF) modelPollution source apportionmentHuman health risk (HHR) assessment
Subjects:	Coal Preparation
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
Depositing User:	Mr. B. R. Panduranga
Date Deposited:	07 May 2025 06:12
Last Modified:	07 May 2025 06:12
URI:	http://cimfr.csircentral.net/id/eprint/2813

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