Fluoride and nitrate contamination in groundwater of Naini Industrial Area, Uttar Pradesh: Assessing non-carcinogenic human health risk

Groundwater is the main source of drinking water globally; however, its quality has been deteriorated due to various geogenic and anthropogenic activities. The groundwater quality of Naini Industrial Area, Prayagraj was studied seasonally to evaluate the fluoride and nitrate contamination pertaining to human health risk assessment. The samples were collected from 60 locations in the pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon season. The fluoride and nitrate were assessed with the help of Ion chromatography. The NO3− concentration exceeded the Indian drinking water quality standards in 27% of the groundwater samples. The NO₃⁻ contamination is predominantly associated with agricultural practices, while F⁻ can be linked to natural geological sources. The non-carcinogenic human health risk assessment was quantified by calculating the Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) were calculated as per USEPA methodology for male, female and child population. The findings indicate that the child population is particularly susceptible to health risks associated with the ingestion of F− and NO₃⁻ through the drinking water pathway. Across all the sampled sites, the Hazard Index (HI) values varied from 0.10 to 12.3 for males, 0.09 to 10.6 for females, and 0.16 to 19.7 for children suggesting substantial risk to the local populace at more than half of the locations which is largely related to nitrate contamination. Thus, the study suggests that groundwater at many locations is unsuitable for drinking without treatment pertaining to the probable health risk they pose to consumers advocating upgraded water management plan for the residents

Analytical and Numerical Modeling Approaches for Estimating the Optimum Line of Extraction in Continuous Miner Workings with Field Observations

The line of extraction in Bord and Pillar (B&P) or Room and Pillar methods plays a paramount role in the extraction of coal pillars in underground mines. It is an important factor that has to be decided at the premining stage, and its optimization not only boosts productivity but also enhances the stability of underground operations. In Indian coal mines or in other B&P mines around the world, the quest to determine the effective line of extraction remains elusive. In Indian B&P coal mines, both diagonal and straight lines of extraction have been widely adopted. In one of such mines, Mine-A, situated in the southern part of India, several coal panels were successfully extracted in the middle seam using a continuous miner (CM) technology in straight and diagonal lines of extraction. However, local geomining effects, such as the influences of top seam panel goaves, barrier pillars, delays in main fall, surges in abutment loading, and increased convergence in roadways caused difficulties throughout the coal extraction in some panels of the middle seam CM workings. This underscores the need to evaluate the optimum line of extraction for successful pillar extraction in B&P workings. Hence, a study was undertaken with numerical modeling and extensive field observations. Strata monitoring instruments such as stress cells, rotary telltale, auto warning telltale, and 4-anchor extensometers were extensively utilized in the field to observe the stress distribution and roof displacement in both lines of extraction. Comparative analysis using field data and numerical modeling with FLAC3D (version 5.0) exhibited that in the diagonal line of extraction, incidents such as delays in major and main fall occurrences, surge in induced stress distribution, and increased rock load development were more prevalent than in the straight line of extraction. This analysis unequivocally demonstrated that a straight line of extraction offers better safety and more effectively reduces ground instabilities in CM panels. Furthermore, the principles of plate theory were used to interpret the roof deflection during the depillaring of the panels, and the modeling results were corroborated with these theoretical findings

Coal mine overburden sand as resource material for making cement concrete

The growing demand for sand and the environmental impact of sand mining have prompted efforts to find sustainable alternatives. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Government of India, advocates for the use of M-sand and recycled sand in construction to reduce dependency on natural sand. This study explores the potential of coal mine overburden (CMOB) sand as a substitute for natural sand in concrete production. Comprehensive tests, including chemical, petrographic, and physical analyses, were conducted to evaluate CMOB sand's suitability. Concrete mixes with CMOB sand were tested for strength, workability, and durability. Results reveal that CMOB sand can fully replace natural sand without compromising structural integrity. The concrete demonstrated excellent compressive strength, moderate workability, and strong resistance to carbonation, chloride penetration, and acid attacks. This highlights CMOB sand as an eco-friendly, effective alternative, reducing reliance on natural resources while ensuring durable concrete applications

Innovative InAg–carbon nanocomposites: mesoporous design for OER enhancement

To produce clean and sustainable hydrogen energy through water electrolysis, the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) needs to be accelerated sustainably by using stable and highly effective electrocatalysts. Bimetallic nanocomposites have been recently recognized as an interesting class of electrocatalysts because of their synergistic behaviour, tunable morphology, and high catalytic efficiency. Herein, InC, AgC, and InAgC nanocomposites were synthesised via a hydrothermal method using a mesoporous carbon support derived from the carbonisation of giant cane. The structural characterisation revealed that the InC composite has tetragonal In with a minor presence of cubic In2O3, whereas AgC and InAgC are well aligned with cubic Ag and tetragonal In. Electron microscopy revealed that InC has a 3D plate-like structure, while InAgC exhibits a spherical shape and is uniformly dispersed across the carbon surface. InAgC showed excellent activity and durability for the OER, with a notably low overpotential of 480 mV at a current density of 100 mA cm−2, a Tafel slope of 97 mV dec−1, and an oxygen production turnover frequency of 10.19 s−1. The chronoamperometric (i–t) study of InAgC at 1.58 V vs. RHE for 20 h in 1 M KOH indicates that the catalyst is highly stable for the OER in alkaline electrolytes. The electrochemical double-layer capacitance (Cdl) value in the non-faradaic potential region of InAgC is greater (52.14 mF cm−2) than those of mesoporous carbon (16.54 mF cm−2), AgC (33.10 mF cm−2), and InC (48.77 mF cm−2), which is attributed to InAgC having more accessible active sites for the OER. This work presents numerous possibilities for developing effective nanocomposites using giant cane as a natural carbon source

Assessment on Sustainable Biomining: Integrating Environmental Responsibility and Economic Viability

Mining has long been a crucial for industrial and economic development, yet conventional practices have led to environmental degradation, resource depletion, and social challenges. Biomining has emerged as a sustainable alternative, utilizing microor ganisms for metal extraction and environmental restoration. This eco- friendly approach facilitates the recovery of metals from low- grade ores and mining waste while reducing energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental impact. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of biomining's economic, environmental, and social implications, emphasizing its role in advancing the circular economy. Global case studies from Chile, China, Canada, and South Africa illustrate its feasibility and benefits. Various biomining techniques, including heap leaching, stirred- tank bioleaching, and in situ biomining, are exam ined for their effectiveness in recovering metals like copper, gold, and uranium. Furthermore, innovations in microbial genomics and bioelectrochemical systems highlight the potential of engineered microorganisms to enhance metal recovery. Despite its promise, biomining faces challenges such as slow processing rates, microbial adaptation issues, and regulatory barriers. Future advancements, including synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, and policy- driven incentives, could optimize biomining applications worldwide. This review underscores biomining's potential to bridge scientific innovation and industrial sustainability, ensuring responsible resource management and reduced environmental impact

Investigations into the Impact of Vehicular Vibration at Sukki Village, a Landslide Prone Area, Uttarakhand India

The Himalayas present a typical geological, glaciological, and biodiverse ecosystem that with infrastructural growth face several issues. One such problem is related to roads in such fragile system, particularly in landslide prone areas. Vehicular traffic on such roads is assumed to further deterioate the rockmass conditions and elevate the landslide hazard in the region and present a possibility for waves generation. Considering the above hypothesis, a comprehensive study was conducted in the landslide prone areas nearby to the Sukki village present between Harshil and Bhatwari in the Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand State, India with an objective to identify the impact of ground vibration due to vehicular traffic on such roads. Vehicular traffic induced ground vibrations in term of peak vector sum of vehicles three orthogonal directions were obtained using standard compliance seismographs. The data of distance of seismograph from the vehicle type of vehicle and load were recorded along with the geomechanical properties of the rockmass. The data thus generated was analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Further, using the ratio of horizontal and vertical Fourier amplitude spectra of vibrations were also analyzed. It was observed that the vibrations monitored are of low magnitude, but may be detrimental considering the fatigue. However, models for ground vibration with distance and speed for different vehicle types could be developed with an R2 of 0.97 that can be useful to define the speed of vehicles playing on such roads. Such result can be useful in future studies for defining a criterion that can take load and geomechanical properties into consideration

Pore Structural Complexities and Gas Storage Capacity of Indian Coals with Various Thermal Maturities

Understanding pore structural complexities of coal is essential in coalbed methane (CBM) enhanced recovery and optimization of CO2 sequestration strategies. Coal’s micropores play a pivotal role in gas adsorption, while its mesopores and macropores facilitate gas migration and recovery. This study investigates the relationship between thermal maturity, maceral composition, and pore structural attributes in five coal samples with progressing thermal maturity from the Raniganj and Jharia Basins, India, using low-pressure nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorption techniques. A key focus is to derive fractal dimensions from CO2 adsorption data, which effectively captures micropore complexity and heterogeneity, offering critical insights into the coal’s gas storage potential. The results reveal that thermal maturity significantly impacts pore development, with postmature coals exhibiting greater micropore volumes and higher fractal dimensions, indicating higher complexity of the pore surface area and gas storage capacity. The analysis of the CO2 adsorption data proved superior to the N2 ones in characterizing micropores, which contribute significantly in estimating the maximum gas adsorption potential of coal. This study highlights strong correlations between fractal dimensions, maceral composition, and thermal maturity markers obtained from programmed pyrolysis. This work highlights that CO2-derived fractal dimension analysis coupled with organic petrography and the Rock-Eval thermal maturity parameter can be an effective way to understand the surface heterogeneity of micropores in coals and its implications for gas storage

Minimum invasive drill-and-blast designs for optimizing pull efficiency and minimizing overbreaks/underbreaks in varying rock masses

In tunneling and underground projects, the drill-and-blast method is most commonly utilized for rock excavation. It is notable for cost-effectiveness and versatility in achieving different tunnel profiles. Though the technique has advantages, it also has challenges such as overbreak, undercut, and occasional poor advances, which can increase project costs and delays. The outcome of blast results is also associated with the competency of driller in effectively drilling the planned holes. Hence, frequent and substantial modifications in the blast designs to attain good profile and pull can adversely affect the driller's performance, thereby reducing the desired outcome. This article presents a case study of the Sivok-Rangpo tunnels passing through different classes of rock mass (class III–VI). Minimum changes in cut pattern and periphery holes design were incorporated and found efficient in increasing the tunnel advance rate to 90–92 % of the drill hole length. The processes also reduced the overbreak and underbreak considerably

Applicability of Dump Slope Rating Systems in Indian Coal Mines

The opencast mining method generates a large quantity of waste materials and imposes a challenge of handling them efficiently without causing any danger to the lives of the miners and economics of the mining company. This study primarily focuses on generating and comparing a Dump Slope Rating System introduced by the British Columbia Mine Waste Rock Pile Research Committee (BCMWRPRC, 1991) and a Dump Slope Rating System developed by Hawley and Cunning in 2017. These rating systems considered various regional settings, foundation conditions, stability analysis, material quality, construction method, geometry and performance of dump slope for assigning the rating system to the mine dump slopes. Mine field visits and numerical simulations were carried out to quantify different mining parameters. The rating system developed by Hawley and Cunning (2017) considered 22 parameters which are 11 more than the rating system developed by BCMWRPRC in 1991. A total of three mines were studied for assigning the rating system to the mine dump slopes. Mine A and Mine C are situated in Dhanbad District, Jharkhand, India and Mine B is situated in Nagpur District, Maharashtra, India. According to the rating system developed by BCMWRPRC (1991), Mine A and Mine B fall in the moderate hazard class, and Mine C fall in the low hazard class. According to the rating system developed by Mark Hawley and John Cunning in 2017, Mine A and Mine B fall in the high hazard class, and Mine C fall in the moderate hazard class. This change in hazard class is due to the intense number of factors considered by the rating system developed in 2017. A more detailed investigation of the dump slope is possible by encouraging the number of parameters essential for stabilizing the dump slope of the mine

Integrated air quality prediction and mitigation strategies for sustainable mining operations in India

The study focuses on dual purpose of forecasting air pollution levels and implementing eco-friendly dust suppression methods for a planned expansion of a lignite mine in India, aligning with the goal of achieving sustainable mining practices. The main objective is to predict the highest concentration of dust emissions from the mine, both with and without the implementation of mitigation measures. The study determined the baseline levels of PM10, PM2.5, SO2, and NOx in the surrounding of the mine site. The recorded values ranged from 53.1–79.5, 20.2–43.2, 16.6–31.2, and 21.2–50.1 µg m–3, correspondingly. The concentrations detected were below the allowable thresholds of 100, 60, 80, and 80 µg m–3, correspondingly. Air quality modelling was conducted to forecast the air quality in the vicinity of the lignite mine, both with and without the implementation of control measures during the project's expansion phase. This was achieved by measuring background air pollutants level, assessing emission sources, determining activity-specific emission rates, analysing micro-meteorological parameters, and identifying receptor locations. Without the application of control measures, the projected levels of PM10, PM2.5, SO2, and NOx are assessed to range from 73.9–97.1, 31.9–44.2, 11.46–21.09, and 15.27–28.40 µg m–3, respectively. However, by employing mitigation measures during the mine's expansion operation, it is expected that the amounts of PM10, PM2.5, SO2, and NOx will be within the range of 73.5–82.5, 31.8–43.8, 9.38–20.14, and 13.17–25.45 µg m–3, respectively. Accordingly, it is anticipated that the air pollutants will persist lower than the allowable limits in the surrounding buffer zone with control measures. Hence, the study also proposes effective measures to control dust pollution, together with a comprehensive description of the developed intelligent dust suppression systems those can be utilized at different dust-emission sources within the opencast mine for ecofriendly and clean mining