Considering that coal thermal power plants affects groundwater quality by improper disposal of coal combustion products, mainly ash, which is composed of numerous heavy metals, a team comprising experts from Panjab University and the PGIMER assessed the its impact of unscientific ash disposal on groundwater quality near a thermal power plant in Ropar. PU’s Environment Studies Department chairperson Dr Suman Mor led the research team along with PhD research scholar Nitasha Vig and Dr Ravindra Khaiwal from the Department of Community Medicine and PGIMER’s School of Public Health. Total 50 groundwater samples were collected from various depths ranging from five to 30 meters below ground level and varying distances from thermal plants during pre and post-monsoon seasons.
