Among air polluting sectors, minerals industry ranks among the top.

The impact of mining on air

starts from exploration phase, increases manifold during operational phase and may even extend
beyond the mine closure. The impact on air in a mining area is very visible - for example, coal-
mining areas are usually coated with black dust, bauxite and iron ore-rich regions are red while
limestone provides a chalky white hue. Reasons behind this are the fugitive dust almost all
operations such as loading, crushing.

The fugitive emission is a common phenomena related to mining, which is very significant in
case of open cast mining as compared to underground mine. (see table1 mining activities and
potential sources of air pollution). In addition to this, waste handling, transportation and its
storage also have high dust potential. The intensity of dust generation in the mine lease area also
are influenced by various factor such as characteristics, wind speed, hardness of the rock, mining
technology, mode of transportation and level of mechanisation.
Table 1: Mining activities and potential sources of air pollution
Mining activities Pollution
Drilling Dust pollution is the main concern
Blasting Dust and gaseous pollutants like sulfur dioxide and
oxides of nitrogen
Loading operation Dust pollution is the main concern
Haul road Dust pollution
Transportation Dust and gaseous pollutants like sulfur dioxide and
oxides of nitrogen
Crushing of ore Dust pollution
Storage ore Dust pollution
Solid waste handling & handling Dust pollution
Tailing waste Air pollution and water pollution
Source: Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi

The conventional mining technology of drilling and blasting generates much more dust as
compared to environment friendly technologies like surface miners, riper and rock breakers. Poor
mine planning and haphazard minerals excavation within a mine lease also tends to aggravate
dust pollution as loose materials at broken sites are easily picked up by the wind and thus adds to
the ambient dust level. In addition to this, inadequate dust suppression measures and poor mine
management practices may some time also cause widespread impact on local public health,
occupational diseases and bring visible impacts on local amenity. The dust pollution potential
gets exaggerated in a condition of semi-arid and arid areas. The impact of air pollutants on human
health is noticeable when dust contains particle size less than 10 microns, which are small enough
to be inhaled. Although, the nuisance impact can be caused by particles of any size, it is more
pronounced at particles larger than 20 microns.

The transportation of ores and overburden are important sources of air pollution, and both have
huge impact on local ambient air quality. For instance, if transportation of ores is carried by
dumper or trucks, then impact on ambient air would be high as compared to transportation of ores
by conveyor belt. Therefore, belt conveyor transportation is the state of art for ore transportation.
The excavation area in the mine lease is not fixed, therefore, it is not possible to have
transportation only by conveyor, a combination of dumber and belt transportation are normally
practiced in most of the good mines. As a good practices, crushing of ores should be encouraged
at the mine pit followed by conveyor transportation to the manufacturing plant in case of
integrated plant (say cement plant with captive limestone mine, Steel plant with captive Iron ore
mine, alumina refinery with bauxite mine etc). In case of coal mining, the end users are power
plant, cement plant, steel plant etc, therefore combination of dumper and conveyor transportation
at the mine pit followed by bulk transportation by rail is considered as the best practice.

Figure 1: Blasting generates huge dust emission

Some of key mining hubs like Korba, Bhilai, Satna and Dhanbad have been declared critical by
the CPCB with respect to both annual average concentrations of respirable particulate matter
(RSPM) and suspended particulate matter (SPM)1. Angul-Talcher coalfields are critically air-
polluted areas. The iron and manganese mines of Keonjhar and Sundergarh are not only
generating emissions from the mines but the transportation of minerals on the rundown roads
have also become a major source of air pollution in the region. Dust due to transportation of iron
ore is a major problem in Bellary in Karnataka and in Goa as well. During summers the air is
almost unbreathable at some places. The air pollution problems in old coal mining complexes of
Jharia, Raniganj and Bokaro is so high that the CPCB had to set ambient air quality standards for
these mines which is about 40 per cent higher than the standards applicable to the new coal
mines. Some of the impact of mining on air quality are illustrated below:
Air Quality at Jharia, Dhanbad2
Jharia coalfield is the only source of Prime Coking Coal in the country. The mining activities
in this coalfield were started in early 1890 and this coalfield has a legacy of mining of more
than 100 years. The impact of mining over such a long period has damaged the environment
particularly the capacity to assimilate the pollution generated. The Dhanbad-Jharia towns
have been identified by the Central Pollution Control Board as one of the highly polluted city
of the country.

1
Anon 2004, Environmental Problems of Mining Areas, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad
 Coal Mining, transportation, domestic and industrial coal burning and other downstream
industries based upon coal are some of the reasons for the significantly higher air pollution in
the area. There are a total of 86 coalmines including both opencast as well as underground in
the region. Mining activity primarily leads to air pollution due to:
o Coal and rock dust in course of stripping, mining, loading/ unloading and
transportation,
o Due to the operation of vehicles including both Heavy Engineering Machineries
(HEMM) and Trucks/Dumpers.
o During blasting hole drilling.
o Dust from exposed surfaces of dumps, coal benches, flanks of open cast mines.
o During the operation of coal handling plants and loading of coal into wagons.
o Katchha Haul Roads in open cast mine areas cause large air looms.
o The abandoned mine area not reclaimed properly.
o Old explored mines, where no mining activity is carried out for a long time and has
not been declared as abandoned mines and therefore, not reclaimed.
State Pollution Control Board has declared this region as "Problem Area". It also monitors
ambient air quality monitoring under National Air Monitoring Programme at the following three
stations in the region:
1. Regional Office cum Laboratory Building, Dhanbad
2. MADA, Jharia
3. BIT, Sindri
The ambient air monitoring in last eleven years in these areas, clearly indicate that the annual
average concentration of SPM in Jharia is much higher than the residential area i.e. Regional
Office, Dhanbad (see table 2).
Table 2: Annual Average of SPM (µ µg/m3) of Dhanbad-Jharia Township (1991-2002)
Annual average concentration in Jharia exceeds the standard in most of the years
Sampling 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Station Annual Max. Min. Annual Max. Min. Annual Max. Min. Annual Max. Min. Annual Max. Min.
Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg.
Regional 350.9 524.4 51.44 289.8 603.6 165.1 322.7 464.5 122.5 285.1 417.4 91.3 273.4 403.1 79.2
Office,
Dhanbad
MADA, 372.9 510.8 273.3 321.4 566.3 169.3 420.5 679.6 322.2 349.1 722.2 170.2 491.7 841.3 220.9
Jharia
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Regional 262.7 419.5 129.2 223.6 333.4 100.9 220.15 370.1 83.8 247.5 414.6 110.6 351.2 569.9 151.4
Office,
Dhanbad
MADA, 521.9 709.5 258.8 445.9 685.0 164.9 447.7 957.8 184.3 478.6 775.1 206.3 413.6 775.9 122.0
Jharia
2001 2002
Regional 303.9 540.0 113.8 253.3 348.9 142.6
Office,
Dhanbad
MADA, 433.7 698.7 209.9 404.1 499.7 259.8
Jharia
Source: Anon 2004, Environmental Problems of Mining Areas, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad

In Jharia Industrial Area (MADA, Jharia), the ambient air quality standard exceeds the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) safe
limit quite frequently. The Central Pollution Control Board has fixed quite lenient standard for ambient air quality (SPM – 500 µg/m3) in some of
the old townships including Jharia, Bokaro and Raniganj. If the same standard for SPM is considered as for the new mines, which is 360 µg/m3,
then out of eleven years, the annual average concentration of SPM exceeds the standard in ten years. The average ambient air concentration for last
eleven years (1991-2002) for MADA, Jharia is 425 µg/m3, which is below the standard specifically set for this area but much higher than the
standard for new mines. The maximum ambient air concentration in this location is as high as 958 µg/m3 in 1998. This high concentration of SPM
is due to mining activities in Jharia coalfields and heavy traffic on Jharia-Sindri State Highway.
 Singrauli, Uttar Pradesh3
The Singrauli industrial belt in the Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh has become an
important industrial area in the country, as a centre of numerous open-cast coal mines and
thermal power plants. Considerable amounts of gaseous and particulate pollutants are
released into the environment through mining, transportation and thermal power plants.
Central Pollution Control Board has undertaken studies on environmental quality in Singrauli
area, with the help of Banwasi Sewa Asram, an active NGO in Singrauli area. The project
focuses on generating trends in air and water quality in the area and to come up with
suggestions for specific measures for pollution control. The findings of the study are as
follows:
o Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM): The study monitored the ambient air quality
standards at three monitoring stations – Dala, Beejpur and Murdhawa. At each of these
stations, SPM showed higher concentration, particularly at Dala where it has exceeded
the prescribed standard in all the sampling/observations. While at Beejpur and
Murdhawa, it exceeded in 50 per cent and 72 per cent observations. The ambient air
quality recorded at Dala was highest and ranged around 169-2757 µg/m3. The annual
average concentration of SPM at Dala was more than 600 µg/m3, 1.4 times more than the
permissible limit of 430 µg/m3 for Singrauli coalfields (see graph 3). In Beejpur and
Murdhawa, SPM concentration ranged around 99-358 µg/m3 and 148-684 µg/m3
respectively.
o Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM): The status of RSPM has been more or
less analogous to SPM, while its highest concentration (95-660 µg/m3) was recorded at
Dala, where it exceeded the standards in 94 per cent of the observations. In Beejpur and
Murdhawa, the RSPM concentration ranged around 48-115 µg/m3 and 73-213 µg/m3
respectively. Moreover, it has exceeded in 38 per cent and 45 per cent of observations at
Beejpur and Murdhawa respectively. The concentration increased during evening at
Beejpur and Murdhawa, whereas at Dala, higher concentrations were generally recorded
during morning or night hours.

3
Anon, 2003, Annual Report - Central Pollution Control Board, http://www.cpcb.nic.in/ar2003/ar2-
3ch6.htm, as viewed on March 3, 2007
Graph 1: Concentration of SPM and RSPM in Singrauli

o Mercury: The status of mercury has been quite high with exceptionally high
concentration recorded at all the three locations. While the highest concentration of 1959
ng/m3 was recorded at Dala, at Murdhawa it was recorded as 1.34-190 ng/m3 and 1.24-
1592 ng/m3 at Beejpur.
Coal Mines in Orissa4
Orissa is one of the states contributing significantly to the mineral production in the country.
As on 2004, about 1103 sq. km area of the state’s area is under mining leases, which
amounted to 0.7 per cent of the total geographical area of the state. Out of this, 400 are
operating mines spread over an area of 827.8 sq. km lease area. Within this, surface mining is
being undertaken over 501 sq. km. However, active mining operation area is nearly 10 per
cent of this i.e. around 50 sq. kms. While some mining activities are confined to non-forest
areas, substantial portion of the remaining mining zones in the state falls under forest areas.
Mining activities in the state has affected the quality of air and water in the state. According
to the Orissa Pollution Control Board monitoring by the maximum concentration of SPM in
all the coal mine areas of the state exceeds the prescribed regulatory standard of 360 µg/m3
for industrial area (see table 3). The quality of ambient air is especially problematic in the
Balanda Colliery and Lingaraj opencast mines with respect to maximum concentrations of
SPM and RSPM. The concentration of SOx and NOx are well within regulatory standards.

Table 3: Ambient air quality in µg/m3 at the mining area of Orissa (2001-02)
RSPM SPM SO2 NOX
Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min
Lingaraj 377 93 610 336 36.1 16.4 21.1 3.4
opencast
mines
Bharatpur 216 91.3 486 63.6 34.6 16.6 16.8 1.86
opencast
mines
Ananta 262 57.2 487 180 40.2 12.8 38 3.4

4
State of Orissa Environment report, Website of Orissa Pollution Control Board,
http://www.envis.nic.in/soer/soer-orissa/mines.HTM, as viewed on March 3, 2007
opencast
mines
Balanda 246 101 851 295.7 30.4 14.2 19.2 3.2
Colliery
Kalinga 104.6 - 379.7 80.9 19.2 14.6 16.2 3.6
opencast
Jagannath 210 81 600 225.6 38.1 10.2 42 3.1
Colliery
Hingula 180.3 55.35 402 75.55 36 12.2 10.2 1.82
opencast
Belpahar 146.64 52.32 461.12 151.08 - - - -
opencast
Lajkura 198.22 65.77 611.54 12.96 - - - -
opencast
Lakhanpur 284 63.7 695.51 173 - - - -
opencast
Samalesari 273.2 50.4 588.0 180.82 - - - -
opencast
Lilari 170.8 70 695.6 142 - - - -
opencast
Basundhara - - 552 194 - - - -
opencast
Source: State of Orissa Environment report, Website of Orissa Pollution Control Board,
http://www.envis.nic.in/soer/soer-orissa/mines.HTM, as viewed on March 3, 2007

Air quality at Korba, Chhattisgarh

Korba is one of the major coal hubs of Chhattisgarh and this district share more than half of
state's total income form mineral resources. The district is accounts for more than 11 per cent of
total coal production of our country.5
It is also among the 24 critical areas identified by Central Pollution control board and action
plans for pollution control in these areas have been under implementation since more than last
one and half decade.
The primary sources of suspended particulate matter in the ambient air environment of Korba
area are from the activities in open cast mines viz., drilling, blasting, loading and dumping of coal
and OB, in pit and external OB dumps, and coal transportation from mines to the coal handling
plants, loading sites. The other contributing sources of particulate matter are power plants and
Aluminium smelter plant. The sources of particulate matter in indoor air in the area are from
dispersion of dust from mining, power plants, coal transportation activities, local vehicular
movements and domestic fuel burning namely coal and fuel wood.

Table no 4: The type of polluting industries in Korba

Sl. no Type of industries No of industries
1. Existing coal mines 12
2. Existing captive coal mines 1
3. Proposed captive coal mines 3
4. Thermal power plant 7
5. Proposed Thermal power plant 12
6. Thermal power plant (under construction) 3
7. Aluminium industries 3

5
Mineral resources of Korba, http://korba.nic.in/kwMines.htm, 21/07/2008.
8. Existing coal washery 3
9. Coal washery proposed. 6
10. Existing Industrial explosive industry 1
11. Aluminium smelter 1
12. Proposed expansion for existing coal mines 8

The Environmental issues of Korba are given below:

• Air pollution due to high emission of SO2 and SPM levels.
• Air pollution due to the thermal power plants. It is estimated that around 50,000 tonne of coal
is consumed by these plants every day thereby generating ash in the order of 21,000 tonne per
day. It is estimated that 183 tonne of SO2 is emitted in the atmosphere everyday.
• Significant solid waste generated in Korba area is fly ash from thermal power plants, red
mud, potroom linings and spent cryolites from BALCO and overburden soil from coal
mining.
• Groundwater pollution due to high level of fluoride, zinc and iron.
• Disposal of solid waste.
Ambient Air quality for Korba district in the month of June, 2006 is given on the graph no 2
given below:

Graph no 2: Ambient Air quality for Korba district, June 2006

June, 2006

300 SPM
SPM
conc. microgram/cubic meter

248.52
250 235.17

SPM
200
159.1
RSPM SPM
150
113.55 RSPM
100

50 RSPM RSPM
0 0
0
Ghanta Ghar Pragati Nagar I.T.I. Rampur

Station Korba

Source: http://www.enviscecb.org/Data/Korba.xls
 June, 2006

25 NOX
NOX NOX
conc. microgram/cubic meter

21.59
20.67 20.38
20
SO2 SO2 SO2
15 12.94 12.73 13.48
SO2
NOX
10

0
Ghanta Ghar Pragati Nagar I.T.I. Rampur

Station Korba

Source: http://www.enviscecb.org/Data/Korba.xls

The generation of fugitive dust during mining activities is a serious concern. It not only causes
direct impact on the health of the workers and community, but also affects the land productivity
and general well being of a region.

The common ailments associated with mining sector include respiratory diseases and eye
ailments. Pneumoconiosis is a generic term applied to the group of lung diseases caused by
inhalation of dust, including silicosis and asbestosis. The common eye diseases are cataract,
conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, glaucoma and squint trachoma. The incidence of respiratory and
ophthalmic illness is more acute in mining workers, whose workplaces are choked with dust. In
addition to pneumoconiosis and bronchitis, coal miners also experiences various other diseases
such as black lung diseases like sever dyspnea (shortness of breath) and air ways obstruction.
Much of these illnesses are work
related. Jharia coal mine and its impact on environment
Before the Supreme Court banned Scientist of Central Fuel Research Institute (CFRI), Dr
stone quarrying on the Delhi-Haryana D.N Singh, says coal dust particles in the air contain
border, a thick layer of silica dust used carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),
to coat the entire stretch of land particulate matter smaller than 10 microns (PM10),
between Faridabad and Badarpur. carbon compounds and trace metals that are also
Twenty thousand workers and their carcinogenic. Fires in more than 70 mines in Jharia
families were affected; a survey release gases such as benzopyrines, sulphur dioxide and
conducted by the University College carbon monoxide.
of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, had
shown that 17 per cent of the Dr. Gurdeep Singh, professor of Indian School of Mines
labourers at the Badarpur crushers (ISM), Dhanbad says, the blasting operations in Jharia
were incurably diseased. Silicosis throw up fine dust particles over a radius of two-three km
threatened the workers of Bhatti thus effecting visibility of an area
mines, barely 35 km from Delhi, while tuberculosis, blood dysentery and seasonal fevers were
quite common. Now similar is the fate of workers in areas like Chandikhol in Orissa and Makrana
in Rajasthan where stone quarry is a cottage industry.

Dust generated by mining also reduces agricultural productivity. A 2005 study titled ‘Impact of
Mining on Agricultural Productivity’ by Prajna Paramita Mishra, Centre for Economic and Social
Studies (CESS), Hyderabad and Ayan Kumar Pujari, Integrated Research and Action for
Development, New Delhi, found that in Ib Valley coal fields of Orissa, agricultural productivity
has suffered in fields nearer to mines. A Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment of iron ore
mining in Bellary-Hospet region by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute,
Nagpur, revealed that dust generated due to mining is impacting the agricultural productivity of
the area. Lead and zinc smelters, limestone quarries and cement factories have reduced land
productivity in areas like Udai Sagar, Khamli and Chittor in Rajasthan. One of the most persistent
complaints that one hears from farmers living near the limestone mining areas of the country is
loss in agricultural productivity.

Open cast mining in Bijolia area in the state of Rajasthan had caused large-scale impact on
vegetation and shortened the lifespan of workers due to dust inhalation. Nearly about 25 per cent
of the workers suffer from silicosis, bronchitis, asthma or tuberculosis as a result of mining
operation.

In addition to dust pollution, coal mining also has impact on climate change due to release of
methane gas from the coal seams. Under normal condition, methane remains intact with coal, as
the area is broken, the gas escape in the atmosphere. On an average, Indian open cast coal mine
release 1 m3 of methane per tonne of coal, whereas in underground mine, methane release varies
from 1 to 23 m3/tone of coal produced6. The release of methane from the coal seams is restricted
not only to operational stage, its emission continues even after the life of a mine gets over.

The amount of CH4 released during coal mining depends on a number of factors, the most
important among them are coal grade, coal seam depth, and method of mining. The underground
coal mining releases more methane than open-pit mining because of the higher gas content in
deeper seams. As methane is explosive in nature (i.e. CH4 is highly explosive in air
concentrations between 5 and 15%), mine operators have to take steps to prevent explosion.
Explosions due to methane gas continues to be one of the major causes of fatalities in India’s
underground coal mines. According to the DGMS, between 1901 and 2005, 57 per cent of the
total fatalities in Indian coal mines were due to a combination of fire and explosions. To ensure
safety, the concentration of methane gas is constantly monitored at workplaces and maintained
below 1.25 per cent by increasing fresh air ventilation. But there is another side to methane: it is a
potential source of clean energy. One kg of methane produces 55,685 kilojoule (kJ) of heat.

Pre-mining degasification as a technology has attracted worldwide attention. The technology aims
at producing coal bed gas by drilling surface boreholes in virgin coal-bearing blocks and using
the recovered methane as a fuel resource. The US coal industry has made substantial progress in
recovering methane though drainage systems. In India too, there is a growing interest in
recovering methane from the coal beds. Several explorations are being conducted by research
organisations and companies aiming to identify potential methane resources in coal beds. The
Union ministry of petroleum and natural gas (MoPNG) allotted virgin coal blocks for methane

6
http://envfor.nic.in/cpcb/newsletter/coal/cenviss.html
extraction in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, in Madhya Pradesh & Gujrat, Jharkhand, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharastra and Rajasthan for methane recovery.

Data required
In order to understand the magnitude of impacts of a mining project on air quality, the generation
of site-specific information on existing meteorological condition and air quality are very crucial.
The data related to meteorology and existing air quality is very useful for proper interpretation as
well as prediction of magnitude of impact on ambient air quality due to upcoming project. The
site-specific information serves two purposes; firstly it helps to compare actual change to the
environment after the project is initiated Secondly, it helps in infrastructure planning. For
instance, based on wind direction, construction of colony being can be planned. The wind
direction also helps in understanding the impact of dust pollution on the nearby human habitation
and others sensitive receptors.

The important air quality parameters of health concern from mining projects are suspended
particulate matter (SPM),
respirable suspended Health impact survey or generation of data on local health condition
is very crucial in case of large mining project. Health impact
particulate matter (RSPM). assessment is a long process; visible impact cannot be seen during
In addition to this, the initial phase of mining operation. However, health survey data
monitoring of sulphur can became a vital databank for the evaluations of health impact at
dioxide (SO2), and different the latter stage of mining operation.
oxides of nitrogen (NOX) are
normally done as it has been mandated. This inspite of the fact that the SO2 and NOX are not of
much concern for a mining project.

The type of technology, mode of transportation and storage of mined material and wastes need to
be carefully examined in case of project located close to sensitive receptors like nearness to
human habitation, forest etc. Air quality monitoring station should be close to sensitive receptors
while identifying monitoring stations.
The methodology used in data In mining sector study area comprise of zones
collection is a very important factor in Core zone – Area acquired for mining lease is called
ensuring reliability and relevance of the core zone
data. Broadly three factors have to be
Buffer zone – Area outside the mine lease is called
looked at while collecting data: buffer zone, for the EIA study radius of 10 km is
• Method followed for data considered by considering a mine as a center
collection: There are well-established
rules for collecting different kinds of data, and these rules should be followed in order to ensure
reliability of the data see annexure1 for guideline for data collection.
• Time of data collection: The time period over which data collection takes place is
very important, and often crucial. For instance, generation of air quality data in monsoon should
be avoided – since it will not give an accurate picture of air quality due to dust suppression. To
give another example, data on wind speeds should be collected throughout the day to get a good
picture of the wind profile of the area.
• Place of data collection: The point where data is collected is important in many cases.
For instance, monitoring stations for monitoring air should be located downwind with respect to
the most prevalent wind direction to get a good picture of air quality see picture 2. The picture
 below depicts the location of air quality monitoring station based on most predominant wind
direction. In the given case, the most predominant wind direction is NW, therefore all air quality
monitoring station are installed in SE direction because the impact of a project on air quality
would be highest in this direction.

i. Monitoring of ambient air quality:

Particulate emissions are grouped into two categories, those that settle down due to the force of
gravity, and those that remain suspended. Large particles of size greater than 10 micrometers can
be collected through sedimentation techniques, whereas suspended particles of smaller size
require more sophisticated techniques like filtration.
In order to measure concentration of SPM and RSPM as well as SO2 and NO2 and other gaseous
pollutants in ambient air, high volume samplers or respirable dust sampler are generally used.
Both the instrument basically sucks in air at a constant pre-defined rate. This air is passed though
a filter – the difference in weight before and after the sampling process gives an indication of the
particulate emissions. For measuring gaseous samples, air is passed through suitable absorbents -
– the absorbent used for SO2 is H2O2 and for NOX is NaOH. These solutions are bubbled at a
specified rate, and the gases collected are taken for sampling (see table no 5: Air monitoring
parameters and monitoring equipment).
Table no 5: Air monitoring parameters and monitoring equipment

Parameters Principle/ instrument

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) Particulate matter which are in greater sizes >10 um
generally settle out due to force of gravity
 (sedimentation)
Instrument – High volume sample
http://greenbusinesscentre.com/images/Photos/Env31.pdf

Respirable particulate matter (RSPM) Particulate matter which are in smaller sizes <10 um are
generally measured by filtration, electrostatic etc
Instrument - Respirable Dust Sampler
http://greenbusinesscentre.com/images/Photos/Env31.pdf

Oxides of nitrogen (NOX) The absorbing reagent used is sodium hydroxide

Absorption in dill NaOH and then estimated
calorimetrically with sulphanilamide and N (I-Nepthyle)
Ethylene diamine Dihydrochloride and Hydrogen
Peroxide
Instrument – High volume sample & respirable dust
sampler

Sulphur dioxide The absorbing reagent used is Sodium Tetra Chloro

Mercurate.
(http://www.envirotechindia.com/faq.html#cut_off)
Absorption in Potassium Tetra Chloromercurate
followed by Chlorimetric estimation using P-Rosaniline
hydrochloride and Formaldehyde
Instrument – High volume sample & respirable dust
sampler

For meteorological assessment, both primary and secondary data are essential. The primary data,
which is generated at the site, gives site-specific information where as secondary data provide
past history of the area. The most important meteorological parameter for mining sector are wind
speed and direction, rainfall, temperature and relative humidity. In case of big mine or mining
cluster, comprehensive site-specific primary data on meteorology for all seasons. (See annexure
2: method of estimating meteorological parameters.)
Guidelines for ambient air quality monitoring
• Air pollution should be monitored during the winter months, since this is when the pollution potential
is likely to be the maximum.
• The minimum number of sampling stations should be six. While selecting stations, various factors
like population density, proximity to sensitive location, concentration of industries, and intensity of
traffic should be taken into account
• The stations should not be located near buildings liable to obstruct free flow of air movements, or just
close to the source of emissions to be estimated
• Monitoring stations should be located downwind of the most prevalent wind direction
• Samples are generally taken for a period of 24-hours, though samples for shorter periods of time can
give an indication of the level of maximum pollution, and the time when this occurs.
• If intermittent sampling is done, the best time to take samples is between 6.00 AM and 10.00 AM,
since this is when the air turbulence is expected to be low.

In air quality assessment, magnitude or severity of air impacts on plants and animals can also be
anticipated by seeing the information on mining technology, level of technology used for material
storage, transportation and handling – open/covered transportation, type of open/covered storage,
manual/mechanical handling, dust control mechanisms, type of roads. In addition, details of
traffic movement – approximate number of trucks/dumpers and information on approximate
number of runs should also be collected to evaluate and assess the magnitude of impacts.
When many samples are taken (say over a period of a month), ambient air quality is typically
represented by the following figures:
Maximum value: This is the maximum emission value recorded
Minimum value: This is the minimum emission value recorded
Average value: This is the average emission value recorded
98 percentile: This is a value such that at most 2 per cent of the observations are higher than
this value.

Thumb rule for assessment:

In order to make the assessment realistic and understandable, the air assessment should be focused –
which means one must know what key parameters need to be monitored, how it should be assessed
and what mitigation should be recommended to ensure that the impact would not brings any
undesirable impacts. While reviewing the air impact of mining project on surrounding environment,
reviewer should focus on some basic information to get an idea of air pollution potential and
environmental parameters that are influencing air quality (see table no 7: Key areas to be reviewed
while assessing air pollution potential). It is equally important for reviewer to know what mitigation
measures should be taken in case of mining project (see table 6. Thumb rule for reviewer to assess how
good is the mine in mitigating fugitive emission).

Table no 6: Key areas to be reviewed while assessing air pollution potential

Parameters/Instrument Significance or importance
Existing air quality SPM, RSPM. Provide picture of ambient air quality before
Measured by instrument called high mining is initiated.
 volume sampler. In case of existing project, indicates whether
air quality has improved, remain constant or
deteriorated over a period of time. For
instance, prior to commencement of mining
operation – the ambient dust level was 120
mirogram/Nm3. After 3 years, ambient dust
level increased to 400 mirogram/Nm3. It
clearly indicates that ambient air has
deteriorated as a result of mining operation.
Wind speed and Measured by instrument called Indicates direction in which pollutant will
direction anemometer. It an automatic device move and its dilution and dispersion.
installed at 10 meter above the
ground. Helps in designing air quality monitoring
network.

Helps determine the direction and season

during which impact on air will be
maximum.
Helps in planning infrastructure such as
colony.
Health survey – air Primary heath survey and collection Diseases like bronchitis; asthma are induced
borne diseases. of secondary information from the by mining activities. Health survey data of an
health department. area would reveal disease prevalent in the
area prior to mining.

Post surveys would indicate whether mining

activities have induced diseases or it has
remained constant or deteriorated over a
period of time. For instance, prior to
commencement of mining operation, there
was no asthma patient. After five years, there
is a sudden increase in asthma patients. It
clearly indicates that after mining operation
health quality has deteriorated.
Level of Review the project proposal – such as Gives primary indication of intensity of air
mechanisation type of mining, transportation of pollution
material, storage of mined out
material, proposal for waste storage
and handling, proposed management
practices for fugitive dust control
High stripping ratio It is ratio of ore versus waste material. High stripping ratio means more handling
and transportation of waste materials that in
Review the mine planning and waste turn would give rough indication of potential
handling and storage proposal traffic density and emissions associated to it.
practices.

Source: Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi

Best environmental practices
Some practices can be adopted to control fugitive dust. These are as follows:
1. Paved surface:
Paved surface or concrete or pitched road is easier to manage and has less dust generation
potential. Dust pick-up by wind depends on the wind speed and is usually significant at wind
speeds above 5 metres per second. However slight speed of vehicle can cause higher dust
generation. Dust emissions from paved surfaces can be minimised by adopting following
measures:
• Prevent spillages of materials on the paved surfaces during materials transportation.
• Minimise mud and dust track-out from unpaved areas by the use of wheel wash facilities.
• Regular cleaning of paved surfaces, using a mobile vacuum sweeper or a water flushing
system.
• Speed controls on vehicle movements.
• Wind reduction controls by plantation.

2. Unpaved surfaces:

Dust emissions from unpaved surfaces are caused by the same factors as for paved surfaces, but
the potential emissions are usually much greater. Dust emissions can be controlled using the
following procedures

• Water sprinkling on unpaved areas during dry windy periods, using a water tanker/or fixed
sprinklers.

• Chemical stabilisation can also be used in association with wet suppression. This involves
the use of chemical additives in the water, which help to form a crust on the surface and
bind the dust particles together.

• Re-vegetation of exposed surfaces. This should be done wherever practical at mines, along
the pit.

• Surface improvements- these include paving with concrete or asphalt, or the addition of
gravel or slag to the surface. The use of gravel or slag can be moderately effective, but
repeated additions is usually be required.

• Speed controls on vehicle movements.

• Wind reduction controls by plantation.

• Wet suppression of unpaved areas can achieve dust emission reductions of about 70 per
cent or more, and this can sometimes be increased by up to 95% through the use of
chemical stabilisation.

3. Vehicles:

Vehicles travelling over paved or unpaved surfaces tend to crumble surface particles and other
debris. Particles are lifted and dropped from the rolling wheels, and the road surface is exposed to
strong air currents due to turbulent shear between the wheels and the surface. Dust particles are
also sucked into the turbulent wake created behind the moving vehicles. The loads carried by
trucks are a potential source of dust, either through wind entrainment or spillages. Mud and dust
carry-out from unpaved surfaces is another potential problem, as discussed above. Dust emissions
due to vehicles can be minimized:
• Avoid spillage from the loaded trucks.

• Minimise travel distances through appropriate site layout and design.

• Use wheel and truck wash facilities at site exits.

• Speed controls on vehicles have an approximately linear effect on dust emissions. In other
words, a speed reduction from 30 km/hr to 15 km/hr will achieve about a 50 per cent
reduction in dust emissions.

4. Material stockpiles

Fine material stored in stockpiles is susceptible to wind and can be picked up when wind blows
with speed of more than 5 m/sec. Dust emissions can also occur as material is dropped on the
stockpile from a conveyor or during unloading or unloading. There are numbers of methods by
which dust can be reduced from the stockpile which are as follows:
• Wet suppression by using water sprinklers.
• Covered storage of mined out material or fine material. This is an expensive option but
should be seriously considered

Limiting the height and slope of the stockpiles can also reduce wind speed. For example, a flat
shallow stockpile will be subject to less wind turbulence than one with a tall conical shape.
However while designing the stockpile due consideration should be given to the effect of other
site features such as most prominent wind direction. Some of the measures to reduce the dust
impact from the material stockpile are as follows.
• Limiting drop heights from conveyors.
• Use of windbreaks - Wind speed near the pile surface is the primary factor affecting
particle uptake from stockpiles. Although a large, solid windbreak is the most effective
configuration. The windbreaks can also be constructed by planting trees.
• Sprinklers
• Hood to cover the discharge point.

5. Conveyors

Dust emissions from open conveyors can be caused by wind and during loading, discharge
point and at transfer points. The following options should be considered for minimising these
emissions.
• The use of enclosed conveyers for fine material.
• The use of water sprays or sprinklers at conveyor transfer points.
• Minimising drop heights at transfer points.
• Regular clean up of spillages around the transfer points so that material cannot be picked
up by wind.
• Covered transfer points with dust extraction system.

6. Biological method for dust control

 Trees can act as efficient biological filters. The systematic and planned greenbelt development
not only reduces the fugitive dust but also checks runoff and improves the aesthetic beauty of
an area. It is essential that planning for greenbelt development should be done at the inception.
It is a proven technology for waste dump stabilisation and restoration of mined out area.
Green belt of adequate width should be raised by planting native species around the mine lease
area on both sides of haul road near material handling plant on external OB dump and backfilled
quarry along undisturbed area and in and around the colony. Experimentally, it has been
observed that some plant species have good efficiency in removing particulate matter. Central
Pollution Control Board has recommended few plant species, which are very efficient for dust
control (see table 8: Dust Collection Efficiency based Low, Moderate & High Dust Capturing
Herbs, Shrubs and Trees). Even the ministry of environment and forest (MOEF), while granting
environmental clearance recommends that the density of tree should be around 2500 plants per
ha7.

Table 8: Dust Collection Efficiency based Low, Moderate and High Dust Capturing Herbs,
Shrubs and Trees

7
http://ncl.gov.in/new/Envt%20Clearance%20of%20Nigahi%20Expansion.pdf
For example, in vicinity of coal mine areas, the following plant species have been identified and
recommended by Central pollution control board for the better removal of dust from the
environment.

• Shrubs
Plumaria acuminate, Ipomea nil, Tabemaemontana divaricata, Wrightia arboriea,Hibiscus rosa
sinensis, Thevetia peruviana, Nerium indicum and Boganvillia glavra

• Trees
Ficus bangalasis, Ficus elastica, Syzgium cumini, Delonix regiosa, Annona Squamosa, Moringa
oliefera, Prunus comminis, Ficus religiosa, Pithocellobium dule, Acacia farmesiana, Artocarpus
integrifolia, Butea monosperma, Aegle mamelos, Anthocephalus cadamba, Phonix dactylifera,
Delbergia sisso, Psidium gujava, Polyalthia longifolia, Terminalia arjuna, Citrus maxiuma,
Alstonia scholaris and Cassia fistula .

These are some thumb rules to assess the initiatives and effectiveness of management practices to
control fugitive dust. These are as follows:

Activities Best practices for fugitive dust control

Drilling Drills shall be provided with dust extractors (dry or wet system) to control dust
nuisance while drilling.
Blasting Water spray before blasting.
Water spray on blasted material prior to transportation
Transportation of mined Fine material should be covered with tarpoline sheet on the track.
material
Water spray on truck
Approach roads to mines and service roads should be compacted to reduce dust
generation.
Green barrier of suitable width on both side of the permanent haul road.

Permanent haul road should have provision for fixed or automatic water
sprinkler.
Non-permanent haul road shall have provision for mobile type of water
sprinklers.
Crusher unloading Covered unloading point.
Automatic sprinklers, actuated through sensors
Crusher should be attached to crushed.
Ore transportation from Closed conveyor transportation
crusher to storage yard

Provision of fixed sprinklers at transfer points and loading points.

Covered TP and dust extractor.

Storage of coal and ore Covered storage yard.

Thick green barrier all around the storage area

Overburden dump Vegetation cover

Environment management plan

Air pollution management plan is basically the management of activities (drilling, blasting),
product (ores and overburden) and services (transportation) that have the potential to generate air
pollution. A good EMP should ensure the impact of air pollution does not exceed statutory limits,
cause undesirable effects on human health and minimises economic loss. Therefore good EMP
for air pollution should cover following aspects like potential sources, its magnitude, control
measures, resource requirement, responsibility to implement measures time frame for completion
and programme for surveillance, monitoring and auditing. An example of an Environment
Management plan is as follows (See table 9: Air pollution management plan).

Table 9: Air pollution management plan

Potential Magnitude Control Resource Responsibility Time frame Monitoring
sources of air of air measures requirement
pollution pollution
Drilling High dust Wet drilling Approx Rs Manager mine Initiate from Environment
potential. technology or 2 lakh the production and safety
dry drilling stage department
fitted with will do
bag filter. surveillance
monitoring
and auditing.

Risk of Driller shall Safety Ambient air

occupational be equipped department quality
hazard with closed monitoring
cabin to shall be
reduce undertaken
occupational near the
hazard. The drilling site
operator shall to ensure
be provided that
with masks, operation is
helmet, not affecting
gloves and the air
earplug. quality. The
copy
monitoring
report shall
be marked to
regulatory
agency on
quarterly
basic.

Blasting High dust By No separate Manager mine Initiated from Mine

potential, but improvising budget production manger will
impact lasts blasting included in stage. be overall
for short technique and mine responsible
period. adopting operational and organise
controlled budget. training to
blasting operators
and workers

Water spray Rs 25 crore Mine and The mine area Invoice

prior to purchase close to human order shall
blasting department habitation be marked to
should be statutory
exploited. body for
Therefore, EMP
No blasting procurement of compliance.
will be rock breakers
allowed in the will be
areas close to finalised in the
human beginning of
 habitation – the fifth year.
Rock breakers
will be
employed
instead of
blasting

Loading of Occupational Air Included in Shift engineer Water spray Shift

blasted material hazard conditioned operational will be done engineer
on dumper cabin for budget. No regularly. Two will
loading separate water tankers monitors it
operator budget is of 14 kl are by
allocated for kept round the inspecting
this activities clock at the the site.
Water spray loading site
on blasted
material prior
to loading.
Transportation High dust Both dumber Capital cost Erection of Commissioning Horticulture
potential and conveyor for conveyor conveyor belt – of conveyor dept will
transportation. belt - Rs 25 Mechanical/civil belt and ensure
Provision for and electrical greenbelt greenbelt
automatic department. development development
water spay on will start after and its
permanent receiving the monitoring.
road and env clearance. The data on
water spray green belt
by tankers on development
temporary shall be
road. marked to
statutory
body
annually.
Green belt of Budget of Rs Green belt –
15 meter on 25 Lakh has Horticulture
both side of been dept
haul road. allocated for
this.

Provision of
water spay
will be on the
dumper to
arrest fine
dust before it
is transported
to crusher.
Crushing of ore High Automatic Included in Mine manager Commissioning Stack
potential of water spray in capital of crusher emission
dust and crusher budget system and and ambient
occupational hopper and greenbelt air quality
hazard unloading development report will
point will be will start after be submitted
covered receiving the to statutory
env clearance. body on
monthly
basic.
Provision of
bagfilter with
crusher stack
 Barrier in
form of
greenbelt all
around the
crusher to trap
fugitive dust.
Storage of ore High Covered Capital cost Civil and Commissioning Ambient air
potential of storage yards Rs 5 crore. horticulture of storage yard quality
fugitive dust, with greenbelt department and greenbelt monitoring
and of adequate Rs 10 lakh development report near
occupational width all for green will start after the storage
hazard. around. belt receiving the yard will be
development env clearance submitted on
quarterly
basis to
statutory
body.
Overburden
Transportation High dust Provision for No separate Mine Greenbelt To ensure
potential automatic budget manager and development dust level
water spay on included in Horticulture will start after within
permanent operational dept receiving env permissible
road and budget. clearance limit,
water spray monitoring
by tankers on report shall
temporary be marked to
road. statutory
body on
Green belt of quarterly
15 meter basis.
width on both
side of side.

Storage/stabilization High dust Backfilling of Included in Mine Ongoing till the Progressive
potential overburden reclamation manager life of mine 5 year plan
shall be budget on waste
initiated from management
the 4th year. and mine
Backfilled reclamation
area will be will be
use for submitted to
plantation. regulatory
Initially body
grasses and
bamboo To ensure
plantation dust level
will be within
encouraged. permissible
limit,
As back monitoring
filling will report shall
commence be marked to
from the 4th statutory
year, hence body on
overburden quarterly
will be basis.
stacked as
per approved
plan.
 ! "

Being one of the largest emitter of fugitive dust, except for coal mining project there are no sector
specific standard for mining project. Recently draft standards for iron ore mines have been
formulated. It has been opened up for discussion.
National ambient air quality (see table 10: National Ambient air quality standard) which is
applicable for all industrial projects, is also used for mining projects to meet the regulatory
standard.
The separate standard, which has been promulgated for coal mining are lenient as it was
formulated based on the age of mine. The standards for old mines which includes Jharia, Bokaro
and Raniganj is quite relaxed (See table 11: Standards for coal mining); the average annual
standard fixed for them is 1.4 times higher than that of new mines. The justification given for
higher standard is that as area is already stressed, therefore these mines would not able to meet
standards of newer coal mines.
Table 10: National Ambient air quality standard
Pollutants Time-weighted Concentration in ambient air
average Industrial Residential, rural and Sensitive
areas other areas areas
Sulphur dioxide Annual average* 80 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 15 µg/m3
(SO2) 24 hours** 120 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 30 µg/m3
Oxides of nitrogen Annual average* 80 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 15 µg/m3
(NO2) 24 hours** 120 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 30 µg/m3
Suspended Annual average* 360 µg/m3 140 µg/m3 70 µg/m3
particulate matter 24 hours** 500 µg/m3 200 µg/m3 100 µg/m3
(SPM)
Respirable Annual average* 120 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 50 µg/m3
particulate matter 24 hours** 150 µg/m3 100 µg/m3 75 µg/m3
(RPM)(size less than
10 micron)
Carbon monoxide 8 hours** 5.0 µg/m3 2.0 µg/m3 1.0 µg/m3
(CO) 1 hour 10.0 µg/m3 4.0 µg/m3 2.0 µg/m3

Notes: * Annual arithmetic mean of minimum 104 measurements in a year taken twice a week; 24 hourly at uniform
internals.
**24 hourly/ 8 hourly values should be met 98 per cent of the time in a year. They may exceed 2 per cent of the time,
but not on two consecutive days; µg/m3: milligram per cubic metre
Source: http://www.cpcb.nic.in/as.htm, as viewed on April 2, 2007.

Table 11: Standards for coal mining

Pollutants Time-weighted Concentration in ambient air
averages New coal mines Existing Old coal mines (Jharia,
(after December coalfields/ mines Raniganj, Bokaro)
1998)
SPM Annual average* 360 µg/m3 430 µg/m3 500 µg/m3
24 hours** 500 µg/m3 600 µg/m3 700 µg/m3
RPM Annual average* 180 µg/m3 215 µg/m3 250 µg/m3
24 hours** 250 µg/m3 300 µg/m3 300 µg/m3
SO2 Annual average* 80 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 80 µg/m3
24 hours** 120 µg/m3 120 µg/m3 120 µg/m3
NOx Annual average* 80 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 80 µg/m3
24 hours** 120 µg/m3 120 µg/m3 120 µg/m3
Notes: *24 hourly at uniform intervals: ** 24 hour/ 8 hourly values should be net 98 per cent of the time in
a year. They may exceed 2 per cent of the time, but not on two consecutive days; SO2: sulphur dioxide:
NOx: oxides of nitrogen: SPM: suspended particulate matter: RPM: respirable particulate matter: µg/m3:
microgram per cubic metre
Source: http://www.cpcb.nic.in/as.htm, as viewed on March 4, 2007.

The standards for work environment dust levels
during mining are also specified in some of the
regulations (see box: Standards for work
environment dust levels)
Emission standards for iron ore mining
Stack emission from De-dusting units. The standard
for particulate matter mater is 100 mg/Nm3. (See
table 12: Stack height for various particulate matter
emission rates)
Height of the stack attached to the de-dusting system
should be calculated for proper dispersion of
particulate matter using the formula H = 74 Q 0.27m
(where H = Stack height in metres and Q = PM
emission in tonnes/hr). Height of the stack should be at least 2.5 m above the nearest building
height. But in any case, stack height should not be less than 15 m. Sampling portholes and
platforms shall be provided as per the CPCB guidelines.
Standards for work environment dust
levels: To ensure that workers are not
affected by dust, the dust level at workplace
has been specified under the Metalliferous
Mines Regulations (MMR), 1961 and the
Coal Mine Regulations, 1957. Respirable
dust concentration in the workplace should
not exceed five milligram per cubic metre for
manganese; for all other types of mines,
including coal, it should not exceed the value
which is arrived at by dividing the figure of
15 with the percentage of free respirable
silica present in the sample. The MMR, 1961
has specifically dealt with asbestos and states
that respirable asbestos fibres should not
exceed two fibres per mililitre of air sampled
by an open membrane filter.

Table 12: Stack height for various particulate matter emission rates (kg/hr)
S. No. PM Emission Q (kg/hr) Stack Height H (m)
1. 2.71 kg/hr 15

2. 7.86 kg/hr 20
3. 17.96 kg/hr 25

4. 35.29 kg/hr 30

Source: http://www.cpcb.nic.in/oldwebsite//IronOreMines_Standards_May07.pdf.

Stacks attached with power generating units / DG Sets shall follow the existing stack emission
standards and guidelines for the Power Plants/ DG Sets.

Airblast Standard
Airblast level resulting from basting on any premises or public place must not exceed 120 dB
Linear, peak. Ground vibrations from the blasting operation shall be within the permissible Peak
Particle Velocity (ppv) specified by DGMS at the foundation levels of various types of structures
in mining areas depending on dominant excitation frequencies.
Note (i) For facilitating the compliance of the standards and pollution prevention at source the guidelines / code of
practice issued by the Central Pollution Control Board shall be followed
ANNEXURE 1
Guidance for assessment of representativeness and reliability of baseline environmental attributes
Attributes Sampling Measurement Method Remarks

A. Air Environment Network Frequency

Meteorological Minimum 1 site in the 1 hourly continuous Mechanical/automatic weather IS 5182 Part 1-20
• Wind speed project impact area station Site specific primary data is essential
• Wind direction
• Dry bulb temperature
• Wet bulb temperature
• Relative humidity Rain gauge Secondary data from IMD, New Delhi
• Rainfall As per IMD specifications
As per IMD specifications CPCB guidelines
• Solar radiation
• Cloud cover
Mini Sonde/SODAR
• Environmental Lapse Rate
Pollutants 10 to 15 locations in the 24 hourly twice a week Gravimetric (High-Volume) Monitoring Network
• SPM project impact area • Minimum two locations in upwind
side, more sites in downwind side /
impact zone
• RPM National Ambient Air Gravimetric (High-Volume with • All the sensitive receptors need to
Quality Standards, Cyclone) be covered
CPCB
• SO2 Notification dated (11th EPA Modified West & Gaeke
April, 1994) method
• NOx Arsenite modified Jacob & As per CPCB standards for NAQM,
Hochheiser 1994
• CO 8 hourly, twice a week NDIR technique
• H2S* 24 hourly, twice a Methylene-blue
week
• NH*3 Nessler’s method
• HC* Infra Red analyser
• Fluoride* Specific Ion meter
• Pb*
*Project Specific
Note: For Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment date of one complete season (except monsoon) is adequate while for the comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment Resources
coverage of three seasons is required.
 Attributes
B. Noise
• Hourly equivalent noise levels
• Hourly equivalent noise levels
• Hourly equivalent noise levels
• Peak particle velocity
C. Water
Parameters for water quality
• pH, temperature, turbidity,
magnesium hardness, total
alkalinity, chloride, sulphate,
nitrate, fluoride, sodium,
potassium, salinity
• Total nitrogen, total phosphorus,
DO, BOD, COD, Phenol
• Heavy metals
• Total coliforms, faecal coliforms
• Phyto plankton
• Zoo plankton
Sampling Measurement method Remarks
Network Frequency
Identified study area Once in each season Instrument: Noise level meter IS:4954-1968 as adopted by CPCB
Inplant (1.5 metre from Once Instrument: Noise level meter CPCB/OSHA
machinery)
Highways Once in each season Instrument: Noise level meter CPCB/IS:4954-1968
150-200m from blast site Once PPV meter
• Set of grab samples Diurnal and season- Samples for water quality
during pre and post- wise should be collected and
monsoon for ground analysed as per :
and surface water • IS : 2488 (Part 1-5)
for 10 km distance methods for sampling and
testing of Industrial
effluents
• Standard methods for
examination of water and
wastewater analysis
published by American
Public Health
Association.
 Attributes Sampling Measurement method Remarks

Network Frequency
For River Bodies

• Total Carbon • Standard • Yield of water sources to be measured Samples for water quality should be Data should be collected from
• pH methodology for during critical season collected and analysed as per: relevant offices such as central
• Dissolved Oxygen collection of • River Stretch within project area be • IS : 2488 (Part 1-5) methods for water commission, state and
• Biological Oxygen surface water divided in grids (say 1 km length and sampling and testing of Industrial central ground water board,
Demand (BIS standards) 1/3 width) and samples should be effluents Irrigation dept.
• Free NH4 from each grid at a time when the • Standard methods for
• Boron • At least one grab wastewater discharged by other examination of water and
• Sodium Absorption Ratio sample per sources of pollution is expected to be wastewater analysis published by
• Electrical Conductivity location per maximum American Public Health
season Association.

Attributes Sampling Measurement method Remarks

Network Frequency
Parameters for wastewater • In plant sources • Diurnal and Samples for water quality should be All plant sources categorised as:
characterisation • Grab and season wise collected and analysed as per: • Process wastewater
• Temp, colour, odour, turbidity, composite variation • IS: 2488 (Part 1-5) methods for • ETP wastewater
TSS, TDS sampling sampling and testing of Industrial • Domestic/sanitary wastewater
• pH, alkalinity as CaCO3, p effluents
value, M value, total hardness Standard methods for examination of
as CaCO3, chloride as Cl water and wastewater analysis
sulphate as SO4, Nitrate as N published by American Public Health
O3, Fluoride as F, Phosphate as Association.
PO4, Chromium as Cr.
(Hexavalent, total) Ammonical
Nitrogen as N, TKN, %
sodium, BOD at 20°C, COD,
DO, total residual chlorine as
Cl2, oil and grease, sulphide,
phenolic compound

Contd...
 Attributes Sampling Measurement method Remarks

Network Frequency

D. Land environment
Soil One surface sample Season-wise Collected and analysed as per
• Particle size distribution from each village, soil analysis reference book,
• Texture (soil samples be M.I.Jackson and soil analysis
• pH collected as per BIS reference book by C.A. Black
• Electrical conductivity specifications)
• Cation exchange capacity
• Alkali metals
• Sodium Absorption Ratio
(SAR)
• Permeability
• Water holding capacity
• Porosity
Land use/Landscape At least 20 points Global positioning system
• Location code along the boundary
• Total project area
• Topography Topo sheets
• Drainage (natural) Satellite Imageries* (1:25,000)
• Cultivated, forest, plantations, Satellite Imageries*
water bodies, roads and (1:25,000)
settlements
*Project specific
 Contd...

Attributes Sampling Measurement Method Remarks

Network Frequency
Solid Waste
Domestic Waste Grab and Season-wise Guidelines
• Per capita contribution composite IS 9569 : 1980
• Collection, transport and disposal system samples IS 10447 : 1983
• Process waste IS 12625 : 1989
• Quality (oily, chemical, biological) IS 12647 : 1989
IS 12662 (PTI) 1989
Quality Grab and Season-wise Analysis
• Loss on heating composite IS 9334 : 1979
• pH samples IS 9235 : 1979
• EC IS 10158 : 1982
• Calorific value, metals etc.
Hazardous Waste Grab and Analysis
• Permeability and porosity composite IS 9334 : 1979
• Moisture pH samples IS 9235 : 1979
• Electrical conductivity IS 10158 : 1982
• Loss on ignition
• Phosphorous
• Total nitrogen
• Cation exchange capacity
• Particle size distribution
• Heavy metal
• Arsenic
• Fluoride
 Attributes Sampling Measurement Remarks
Method
Network Frequency
E. Biological • Considering Season wise Standard • Seasonal
Environment probable techniques sampling for
Aquatic impact, (APHA et. al. aquatic biota
• Primary sampling 1995, Rau and • One season for
productivity points and Wooten 1980) to terrestrial biota,
• Aquatic weeds number of be followed for in addition to
• Enumeration of samples to be sampling and vegetation
phyto plankton, decided on measurement studies during
zoo plankton and personal monsoon season
benthos judgement • Preliminary
• Fisheries within 10/25 assessment
• Diversity indices km radius from • Microscopic
• Trophic levels the proposed analysis of
• Rare and site plankton and me
endangered • Samples to bents, studies of
species collect from macro fauna,
• Marine Parks/ upstream and aquatic
Sanctuaries/ downstream of vegetation and
closed areas discharge application of
/coastal regulation point, nearby indices, viz.
zone (CRZ) tributaries at Shannon,
Terrestrial down stream, similarity,
and also from dominance IVI
• Vegetation-
dug wells close etc.
species list,
to activity site • Point quarter plot
economic
importance, forest less method for
produce, terrestrial
medicinal value vegetation
• Importance value survey
index (IVI) of
trees
• Fauna
• Avi fauna • For forest • Secondary data
• Rare and studies, to collect from
endangered direction of Government
species wind should be offices, NGOs,
• Sanctuaries / considered published
National park / while selecting literature
Biosphere reserve forests • Plankton net
• Migratory routes • Sediment dredge
• Depth sampler
• Microscope
• Field binocular
F. socio-economic
• Demographic Socio-economic Minimum Primary data Secondary data from
structure survey is based on for two collection through census records,
• Infrastructure proportionate, phases of questionnaire statistical hard books,
resource base stratified and the project topo sheets, health
• Economic random sampling records and relevant
resource base method official records
• Health status: available with Govt.
Morbidity pattern agencies
• Cultural and
aesthetic
attributes
• Education
Source: EIA Manual, Ministry of Environment & Forest, www.envfor.nic.in
Annexure 2:
Method of estimating meteorological parameters
Meteorological:
Appropriate meteorological data is very important as it provides the conditions for the
model to determine how the emissions are transported from the source to the receptor.
The following meteorological data are essential for running most of the air quality
dispersion model:
Wind Speed and Direction: The speed and direction of local wind flow plays an
Wind Rose
important role in calculations of pollutant transport and diffusion. Normally, hourly
wind
Thespeed
WindandRosedirection
provides data should be collected at site to give the most accurate
important
predictions
informationofabout
a model-run. However,
the local wind speed in case of a time and resource constraint, data
canandbedirection
obtainedand from
plays ana important
local meteorological office for the last five years
(representative of the area–radius
role in air modeling. Wind speed andof 25- 30 km subject to regional topography).
directions vary during the day and
frequency distributions during different
periods of the day are taken into account
for a season and graphically represented
in the form of a wind rose. Data on wind
flow and direction is compiled either on
the basis of secondary data obtained
from the Meteorological Department or
based on measurements taken at site. An
example of the radial bar-type wind rose
is given in the adjoining diagram.

Wind rose can be plotted from meteorological data usi

Wind rose can be plotted from meteorological data using WR Plot and other Software Programs