Investigation of Organic and Inorganic Contaminants in Water Sources around Elbistan Lignite Beds

The household and industrial use, as well mining of coal, pose various environmental health risks including lung kidney diseases such Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN). BEN is a disease it geographically confined to countries where extensive lignite deposits are located. most accepted cause the use untreated waters contaminated by lignite-derived organic contaminants. Afşin-Elbistan basin contains approximately 50 % reserves Turkey which makes an ideal location for current study. In this work, water samples were taken from 10 different locations in they analyzed inorganic Results showed that none with contaminants indeed met Turkish drinking standards. GC-MS analyses revealed similar chromatograms. Briefly, all have compound types n-alkanes, chlorophyll-derived phytols, plant- animal-derived acids (i.e. palmitic acid). On other hand, carcinogenic and/or nephrotoxic compounds polyaromatic hydrocarbons aromatic amines, contrary many, but not previous works conducted countries. All these results may indicate influence coal on groundwaters minimal.