Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Iron ore pollution in Mandovi and Zuari estuarine sediments and its fate after mining ban

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Iron ore was mined from the banded iron formations of Goa, India, and transported through the Mandovi and Zuari estuaries for six decades until the ban on mining from September 2012. Here we focus on the environmental magnetic properties of sediments from the catchment area, upstream and downstream of these estuaries, and adjacent shelf during peak mining time. Magnetic susceptibility (χ lf) and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) values of sediments were highest in upstream (catchment area and estuaries), decreased gradually towards downstream (catchment area and estuaries), and were lowest on the adjacent shelf. The χ lf values of the Mandovi estuary were two to fourfold higher than those in the Zuari. The sediments of these two estuaries after the mining ban showed enrichment of older magnetite and sharp decrease in the SIRM values. Although the input of ore material has been reduced after mining ban, more flushing of estuarine sediments is required for healthier environment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alagarsamy, R. (2006). Distribution and seasonal variation of trace metals in surface sediments of the Mandovi estuary, west coast of India. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 67, 333–339.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alagarsamy, R. (2009). Environmental magnetism and application in the continental shelf sediments of India. Marine Environmental Research, 68(2), 49–58.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Allan, J. E. M. (1988). Magnetic properties of iron-rich oxisols. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 15, 470–475.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Banerjee, S. K., King, J., & Marvin, J. (1981). A rapid method for magnetic granulometry with applications to environmental studies. Geophysical Research Letters, 8, 333–336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhushan, C., & Hazra, M. Z. (2008). Rich lands poor people: is ‘sustainable’ mining possible? In S. Banerjee (Ed.), State of India’s environment: a citizen’s report (p. 356). New Delhi: Center of Science and Environment.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloemendal, J., Lamb, B., & King, J. (1988). Palaeoenvironmental implications of rock magnetic properties of late Quaternary sediment cores from the eastern equatorial Atlantic. Paleoceanography, 3, 61–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chan, L. S., NG, L. S., Davis, A. M., Yim, W. W. S., & Yeung, C. H. (2001). Magnetic properties and heavy-metal contents of contaminated seabed sediments of Penny’s Bay, Hong Kong. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 42, 569–583.

  • Choi, J. Y., Hong, G. H., Ra, K., Kim, K. T., & Kim, K. (2014). Magnetic characteristics of sediment grains concurrently contaminated with TBT and metals near a shipyard in Busan, Korea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 85(2), 679–685.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chaparro, M. A. E., Suresh, G., Chaparro, M. A. E., Ramasamy, V., & Sinito, A. M. (2013). Magnetic studies and elemental analysis of river sediments: a case study from the Ponnaiyar River (Southeastern India). Environmental Earth Sciences, 70, 201–213.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dearing, J. A., Bird, P. M., Dann, R. J. L., & Bejamin, S. F. (1997). Secondary ferromagnetic minerals in Welsh soils: a comparison of mineral magnetic detection methods and implications for mineral formation. Geophysical Journal International, 130, 727–736.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dearing, J. (1999). Magnetic susceptibility. In Walden, J., Oldfield, F., Smith, J. P., (Eds), Environmental magnetism: a practical guide, No. 6. London: Quaternary Research Association, 35–62.

  • Dessai, D. V. G., Nayak, G. N., & Basavaiah, N. (2009a). Grain size geochemistry, magnetic susceptibility: proxies in identifying sources and factors controlling distribution of metals in tropical estuary, India. Estuarine and Coastal Shelf Science, 85(2), 307–318.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dessai, A. G., Arolkar, D. B., French, D., Viegas, A., & Viswanath, T. A. (2009b). Petrogenesis of the Bondla layered mafic-ultramafic complex, Usgaon, Goa. Journal Geological Society of India, 73(5), 697–714.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dessai, A. G. (2011). The geology of Goa Group: revisited. Journal Geological Society of India, 78, 233–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duck, R. W., Rowan, J. S., Jenkins, P. A., & Youngs, I. (2001). A multi-method study of bedload provenance and transport pathways in an estuarine channel. Physics and Chemistry of Earth, 26(b), 747–752.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandes, O. A. (2009). Physiography and general geology of Goa. In, A. Mascarenhas, G. Kalavampara (Eds), Natural resources of Goa: a geological perspective. Published by Geological Society of Goa, 11–23.

  • Girap, M., & Nayak, G. N. (1997). Sedimentology and geochemistry of a core from Mayem lake: an attempt to understand the impact of mining. Journal of Indian Association of Sedimentologists, 16, 159–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gudadhe, S. S., Sangode, S. J., Patil, S. K., Chate, D. M., Meshram, D. C., & Badekar, A. G. (2012). Pre- and post- monsoon variations in the magnetic susceptibilities of soils of Mumbai metropolitan region: implications to surface redistribution of urban soils loaded with anthropogenic particulates. Environmental Earth Sciences, 67, 813–831.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hanesch, M., & Scholger, R. (2002). Mapping of heavy metal loadings in soils by means of magnetic susceptibility measurements. Journal of Environmental Geology, 42, 857–870.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hanesch, M., & Scholger, R. (2005). The influence of soil type on the magnetic susceptibility measured throughout soil profiles. Geophysical Journal International, 161, 50–56.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • IMYB (2010). Indian minerals year book. http://ibm.gov.in/imyb2010.htm.

  • Joseph, L. H., Rea, D. K., & van der Pluijm, A. (1998). Use of grain size and magnetic fabric analysis to distinguish among depositional environment. Paleoceanography, 13, 491.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kessarkar, P. M., Shynu, R., Rao, V. P., Chong, F., Narvekar, T., & Zhang, J. (2013). Geochemistry of the suspended sediment in the estuaries of the Mandovi and Zuari rivers, central west coast of India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 185, 4461–4480.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kessarkar, P. M., Rao, V. P., & Shynu, R. (2010). Nature and distribution of particulate matter in the Mandovi estuary, central west coast of India. Estuaries and Coasts, 33, 30–44.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • King, J. W., Banerjee, S. K., Marvin, J., & Ozdemir, A. (1982). A comparison of different magnetic methods for determining the relative grain size of magnetite in natural materials: some results from lake sediments. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 59, 404–419.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, A. A., Rao, V. P., Patil, S. K, Kessarkar, P. M., & Thamban, M. (2005). Rock magnetic records of the sediments of the eastern Arabian Sea: evidence for late Quaternary climatic change. Marine Geology, 220, 59–82.

  • Maher, B. A., & Taylor, R. M. (1988). Formation of ultrafine-grained magnetite in soils. Nature, 336, 368–370.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mathe, P. E., Rochette, P., & Colin, F. (1997). The origin of magnetic susceptibility and its anisotropy in some weathered profiles. Physics and Chemistry of Earth, 22, 183–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mesquita, A., & Kaisary, S. (2007). Distribution of iron and manganese. In S. R. Shetye, M. DileepKumar, & D. Shankar (Eds.), The Mandovi and Zuari estuaries (pp. 99–104). National Institute of Oceanography: Dona Paula.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nayak, G. N. (2002). Impact of mining on environment in Goa (p. 112). New Delhi:International Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oldfield, F., & Scoullos, M. (1984). Particulate pollution monitoring in the Elefisis Gulf: the role of mineral magnetic studies. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 15, 229–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panchang, R., Nigam, R., Baig, N., & Nayak, G. N. (2005). A foraminiferal testimony for the reduced adverse effects of mining in Zuari estuary, Goa. International Journal of Environmental Studies, 62, 579–591.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paropkari, A. L. (2009). Mineralogical and geochemical aspects of the marine sediments off Goa. In A. Mascarenhas, & G. Kalavampara (Eds.), Natural resources of Goa: a geological perspective (pp. 167–187). Geological Society of Goa: Goa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pathak, M. C., Kotnala, K. L., & Prabaharan, N. (1988). Effects of bridge piers on a tropical estuary in Goa, India. Journal of Coastal Research, 4, 475–481.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qasim, S. Z., & Sen Gupta, R. S. (1981). Environmental characteristics of Mandovi-Zuari estuarine system in Goa. Estuarine and Coastal Shelf Science, 13, 557–578.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rao K. S., Rao C. S., & Rao U. B. V. K. (1985). Regional Surveys and exploration for systematic assessment of iron ore resources in North Goa Sector. Earth Resources for Goa’s Development, a collection of seminar papers. Hyderabad: Geological Survey of India, 241–264.

  • Rao, V. P., Shynu, R., Kessarkar, P. M., Sundar, D., Michael, G. S., Narvekar, T., et al. (2011). Suspended sediment dynamics on a seasonal scale in the Mandovi and Zuari estuaries, central west coast of India. Estuarine and Coastal Shelf Science, 91, 78–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rath, D. S., & Venkataraman, G. (1997). Application of statistical methods to study seasonal variation in the mine contaminants in soil and groundwater of Goa, India. Environmental Geology, 29, 253–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sandeep, K., Shankar, R., & Krishnaswamy, J. (2011). Assessment of suspended particulate pollution in the Bhandra River catchment, Southern India: an environmental magnetic approach. Environmental Earth Sciences, 62, 625–637.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shetye, S. R., DileepKumar, M., & Shankar, D. (2007). The Mandovi and Zuari estuaries (p. 145). Dona Paula:National Institute of Oceanography.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shynu, R., Rao, V. P., Kessarkar, P. M., & Rao, T. G. (2012). Temporal and spatial variability of trace metals in suspended matter of the Mandovi estuary, central west coast of India. Environmental Earth Sciences, 65, 725–739.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, K. T., Nayak, G. N., Fernandes, L. L., Borole, D. V., & Basavaiah, N. (2014). Changing environmental conditions in recent past—reading through the study of geochemical characteristics, magnetic parameters and sedimentation rate of mudflats, central west coast of India. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 397, 61–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • USGS (2013). Iron ore statistics and information reports. http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/iron_ore.

  • Venkatachalapathy, R., Veerasingam, S., Basavaiah, N., Ramakumar, T., & Deenadayalan, K. (2011). Environmental magnetic and petroleum hydrocarbons records in sediment cores from the north east coast of Tamilnadu, Bay of Bengal, India. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 62, 681–690.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walden, J., Oldfield, F., & Smith, J. (1999). Environmental magnetism. A practical guide. No. 6. London: Quaternary Research Association, 243.

  • Walden, J., Slattery, M. C., & Burt, T. P. (1997). Use of mineral magnetic measurements to fingerprint suspended sediment sources: approaches and techniques for data analysis. Journal of Hydrology, 202, 353–372.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y., Dong, H., Li, G., Zhang, W., Oguchi, T., Bao, M., et al. (2010). Magnetic properties of muddy sediments on the northeastern continental shelves of China: implication for provenance and transportation. Marine Geology, 274, 107–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Y., Liu, Q., Zeng, Q., & Chan, L. (2012). Relationship between magnetic properties and heavy metals of urban soils with different soil types and environmental settings: implications for magnetic mapping. Environmental Earth Sciences, 66, 409–420.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, T., Liu, Q., Chang, L., & Liu, Z. (2007). Magnetic signature of heavy metals pollution of sediments: case study from the East Lake in Wuhan, China. Environmental Geology, 52, 1639–1650.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank the Director, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), for facilities and encouragement. SS thanks the Indian Academy of Sciences for the summer trainee fellowship to work at NIO. We thank Dr. R. Shynu and Mr. A. Prajith for helping us to collect samples and Mr. V. Khedekar for help in SEM analysis. This is the NIO contribution number 5794.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa, 403004, India

    Pratima M. Kessarkar, S. Suja, V. Sudheesh, Shubh Srivastava & V. Purnachandra Rao

  2. Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology, Cochin, 682 037, India

    V. Sudheesh

  3. Department of Earth Sciences, IIT Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, India

    Shubh Srivastava

Authors
  1. Pratima M. Kessarkar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Suja
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. V. Sudheesh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shubh Srivastava
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. V. Purnachandra Rao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pratima M. Kessarkar.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kessarkar, P.M., Suja, S., Sudheesh, V. et al. Iron ore pollution in Mandovi and Zuari estuarine sediments and its fate after mining ban. Environ Monit Assess 187, 572 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4784-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4784-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation