US EPA

8356786 

Journal Article 

Environmental impact of Manganese mining: A case study of Dubna opencast mine, Keonjhar District, Orissa, India 

Goswami, S; Mishra, JS; Das, M 

2009 

1 

Journal of Ecophysiology and Occupational Health
ISSN: 0972-4397
EISSN: 0974-0805 

9 

3-4 

189-197 

English 

The present study comprises of soil and water analyses along with the socio-economic and cultural impact of Dubna Manganese Mining, Keonjhar District, Orissa, India to evaluate the effect of Manganese on the health of mineworkers and other inhabitants of this area. The water of this area has more contaminated soluble manganese and associated salts giving a high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) as well as Total Suspended Solids (TSS) causing health hazards. The result revealed that the excessive level of manganese (according to European Union standards, permissible limit of Manganese 0.5 mg/l) in all the analysed water samples might be responsible for bittersweet, asphalt or oily tastes of water. Water rich in manganese may cause excessive manganese intake and can increase bacterial growth in water. Thus, some early symptoms particularly of the " Manganism" have been observed in case of mine workers. In order to assess the impact of this opencast Manganese mining on surrounding soil, soil samples were collected from surface to a depth of 15 feet analysed. Soil analyses demonstrate that there is distinct loss of various nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from the surface soil and soils have much less nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in comparison to their normal value in alluvial soil (i.e. 272 kg/ha to 544 kg/ha of for nitrogen, 136 kg/ha to 337.5 kg/ha for potassium and 22.5 kg/ha for phosphorous). A few suggestions have also been discussed to adopt eco-friendly mining technology in a judicious and scientific manner to minimize occupational health hazards. ® 2009 The Academy of Environmental Biology, India. 

Manganese; Manganism.