Neutralization of Acid Mine Drainage Contaminated Water and Ecorestoration of Stream in a Coal Mining Area of East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya

摘要

The unscientific mining of coal without environmental safeguards in Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya has adversely affected the water resources of the area, leading to streams with a pH of 3-5. The acidic stream water is not suitable for human use and lacks aquatic life. The prevailing situation demanded immediate neutralization and eco-restoration. Considering the need, the water of Moolawar stream in Mukhaialong village, East Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya, India was neutralized by constructing an open limestone channel (OLC) using locally available limestone. The OLC raised the pH of the stream water from 4.31 to 6.57. The near-neutral pH has promoted the reappearance of many aquatic flora and fauna, including two species of fishes and some insects. The OLC was found to be cost effective and technically feasible in this rural area and thus prompted the construction of more such projects for improvement of water quality and ecorestoration of degraded streams. Details of the study and associated improvements in water quality and aquatic ecology are reported.