Effects of accidental fly ash spillage during transit on aquatic ecosystems with special reference to the lower stretch of river Ganga

Abstract

Fly ash, a byproduct of coal-based thermal power stations, is being exported from West Bengal to Bangladesh to produce Portland Pozzolana Cement due to its increased demand. Vessels having a capacity of 800 to 1400 tonnes under closed conditions are utilized for transporting fly ash through the lower stretch of the Indian part of the river Ganga, popularly known as the Hooghly-Matlah estuary, which falls in the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route. In some odd instances, the commonly used vessels sink due to force majeure, releasing part of their contents into rivers. During the study period, one such incident of a barge sinking occurred at Godakhali. Impacts of fly ash on aquatic life were briefly studied after the incident. It was revealed that the barge sinking did not affect fish availability or mortality; also, fly ash spills did not harm aquatic life. An in vitro study conducted over a period of 29 days also revealed no significant behavioural changes in the test fish, Labeo rohita, with varying doses of fly ash.