Ecological assessment of pit lakes in Raniganj, India: Application of different indices and multivariate statistics

Coal mine generated open pit lakes are well distributed in Raniganj coal field area, West Bengal, India. This paper screened out ecological state macrophyte index (ESMI), water quality (WQI) and multivariate statistical methods to assess the status of four lakes, Nagrakonda, Joyalbhanga, Dalurbandh, Kumardihi. Seven parameters (pH, total dissolved solids, oxygen, Secchi depth nitrate, chloride, phosphate) six sediment organic carbon, bulk density, particle available nitrogen phosphorus) were analyzed for one year on a monthly basis from lakes. The abundance diversity aquatic macrophytes also analyzed. In studied variables showed significant spatial variation. WQI that all was good according ESMI these categorized into status. results this study indicated values based indices highlighted condition sites thus should be considered it as reliable tool assessing any wetlands.