Abstract

This study investigated the impact of coal mining activities on water quality in the coal belt of Kogi East, Nigeria. Surface water samples were collected from Ika-Ogboyaga and Okaba mine sites and a control site in Ankpa town. In this study, 27 liters of water were collected in total; 9 liters each from Ika-Ogboyaga mine site, Okaba mine site and control site in Ankpa town, samples were taken in triplicate from upstream, midstream and downstream at each site, with each sample being 1 liter. Physical parameters, total dissolved solids (TDS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and heavy metals were analyzed. Physical parameters were measured in situ using a multi-parameter logging sensor The findings reveal that: Mean temperatures were 28.49±1.5°C, 27.94±1.17°C, and 28.45±1.5°C, exceeding the WHO standard (22°C) but within the FME standard (<40°C), pH values were 6.9±0.2, 6.8±0.2, and 6.74±0.15, conforming to WHO and FME standards, Electrical conductivity (EC) values were 562.39±4.5 µS/cm, 444.7±7.6 µS/cm, and 372.9±9.1 µS/cm, within WHO and FME standards, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in Ika (398.1±5.9 mg/l) exceeded WHO and FME limits, while Okaba (358.5±8.3 mg/l) and the control (298.8±2.9 mg/l) were within limits, Salinity, Total Hardness, BOD, COD and Nitrate values exceeded WHO and FME permissible limits in the mined sites. ANOVA results indicate significant differences in salinity, BOD and COD between mine and control sites (p < 0.05). This study underscores the need for stringent environmental regulations and remediation strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of coal mining on water quality in the region.

Key Words: Coal, Mining, Water, Quality, Parameters