Assessment of the capability of SWAT model to predict surface runoff in open cast coal mining areas

Abstract

The hydrological response of watersheds affected by large-scale coal mining activities is complex and difficult to simulate. The present study aims to bridge this gap by simulating the effects of land-use and topographical changes due to coal mining on surface runoff in the Jamunia basin of Jharkhand, India. The derivatives of digital elevation model (DEM) have been used to simulate the changes in topography of the study area and the runoff has been calculated using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrological model. The study results revealed significant increase in surface runoff (mm) during the simulation period. The findings of this study established that unplanned mining activities can reduce the water holding capacity of downstream reservoirs and increase the runoff. The outcome of the study will be helpful for mine planners to design sustainable mining operations which will have less adverse impact on the hydrological regime of the watershed.

Keywords

Coal mining; Runoff; Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT); Watershed hydrology

Published in

Environmental Science and Pollution Research
2023, volume: 30, number: 14, pages: 40073-40083
Publisher: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG

SLU Authors

• Karan, Shivesh

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Indian Institute of Technology Dhanbad

UKÄ Subject classification

Water Engineering
Oceanography, Hydrology, Water Resources

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-25032-y

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/121188