Evaluation of environmental influences of Rock phosphate Mines: Water Quality and Serum Chemistry

Jhamarkotra is located a distance of 25 kms from Udaipur city. It has richest deposits of phosphorite ore (Rock phosphate) in our country. The mine has been under operation for the last several years. However, the effect of environmental influence have not been investigated. In the present study water analysis from 8 points of delivery in mine area along with pathological and biochemical parameters is reported. The water is relatively hard and has significantly high content of fluoride and chloride. The miners were divided into four groups on the basis of their exposure in the mining area. The group were; a) non exposed, b) indirectly exposed, c) transiently exposed and d) directly exposed. These were compared with controls. The results indicate that serum uric acid, GPT, alkaline phosphatase level were elevated in directly exposed miners.