Impact of fly ash from Koradi thermal power plant on groundwater quality in Nagpur, Maharashtra

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of groundwater quality in villages surrounding the Koradi Thermal Power Plant (KTPP), Maharashtra, India, where extensive fly ash disposal may influence groundwater resources. The novelty of this work lies in the integrated application of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), together with hydrochemical analysis, multivariate statistical techniques, and health risk assessment, to evaluate fly-ash related groundwater contamination. Key parameters, including pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), and concentrations of heavy metals such as As, Fe, Cu, Mn, Pb, Hg, Zn, and others, were evaluated against Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) permissible limits. Results indicate that certain samples exhibited elevated levels of TDS, turbidity, and specific elements (e.g., Al, Ni, Mn, As, F) exceeding BIS standards, likely due to leaching from fly ash stored in ash pond. The qualitative analysis using LIBS confirmed the presence of element like Ca, Fe, Mn, and Cr, with spatial variations suggesting localized contamination. These finding highlight the environment and health risks posed by fly ash disposal to groundwater-dependent communities and underscore the need for improved as management practices and regular monitoring to ensure safe drinking water.