Impact of open cast mining pollutants on vegetation at Bisrampur colliery of Madhya Pradesh

摘要

The level of pollution due to open cast mining in Bisrampur colliery of Surguja district of Madhya Pradesh was assessed, and its impact on the existing vegetation was studied. SO_2 and NO_x in three different seasons were under tolerable limit as per central pollution Central Pollution Control Board, but suspended particulate matter and dust particles were much above the prescribed limit, and highest in the post-monsoon period. Leaf injury symptoms in the form of chlorosis, necrosis and tip burn were found leaves of almost all the species existing in the polluted area. The chlorophyll content of the leaves decreased considerably in the polluted sites. Maximum reduction of chlorophyll was in Mangifera indica (78.4 percent) followed by Pongamia pinnata (77.2 percent) and minimum in Dalbergia sissoo (53.8 percent). N, P and K in the leaves were also reduced drastically. Depending upon the per cent damage, per reduction of leaf area, N, P, K and chlorophyll, a sensitivity index was worked out for each species and F. bengalensis was found to be the most tolerant species and Pongamin pinnata the most sensitive inthe dust polluted area of Bisrampur colliery.