Impact of surface coal mining on soil properties of the region at Talabira mining area, Sambalpur, Odisha

Large scale surface coal mining activities result in disturbance of the local ecosystem by creating different land uses that alter soil properties and hydrological balance of the mining area and surrounding environment. This study aims to evaluate the changes in soil properties in mining affected lands (mine face topsoil, wasteland and agriculture land) and reclaimed mine soil (RMS), and to quantify the changes of the selected soil properties with respect to reference Sal forest (Shorearobusta Gaertn. F.). Changes in soil properties were analyzed on a profile basis (0–20, 20–40 and 40–60 cm). The study indicates that soil pH, electrical conductivity, and bulk density were increased significantly, while a decrease in nutrient content (N, P, and K) was observed in the mining affected lands. The overall findings of this study indicated that conversion of Sal forest into other land uses due to mining significantly reduced the nutrient content and soil quality of the area. Reclamation of the mine degraded land in short duration does not restore the overall properties of the soils, which has long term impacts on the surrounding ecosystem.