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VOL. 2, ISSUE 3 (2026)
Impact of limestone mining refuse on the community structure and biomass of soil macro-invertebrates (Earthworms) in Baloda bazar district, Chhattisgarh, India
Authors
Dr. Deen Dayal Jaiswal
Abstract
Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara
district of Chhattisgarh is a major limestone-producing and cement-industrial
region. The district administration identifies limestone as its principal major
mineral and records numerous limestone mines and storage points, while Indian
Bureau of Mines records document large limestone leases in the district. The
present investigation evaluated the response of soil earthworm communities to
limestone-mining refuse along a four-site impact gradient during July 2025-June
2026. Four sites were selected: S1, an agricultural control; S2, a
refuse-dumping site adjacent to limestone waste; S3, a mining periphery; and
S4, a three-year reclaimed site. Earthworms were sampled using 50 × 50 × 30 cm
soil quadrats, hand sorting and supplementary chemical expulsion. Soil pH,
electrical conductivity, organic carbon, moisture, calcium and bulk density
were measured. Eleven earthworm species were reported at S1, three at S2, six
at S3 and eight at S4. Annual mean density declined from 142.6 individuals m−2
at S1 to 18.4 individuals m−2 at S2, while biomass declined from 48.32 to 5.12
g m−2, corresponding to reductions of 87.1% and 89.4%. S2 had the highest pH
(8.92), EC (1.42 dS m−1), calcium (18.42 mg g−1) and bulk density (1.72 g
cm−3), and the lowest organic carbon (0.21%) and moisture (6.12%). The
reclaimed site showed partial recovery, reaching 66.5% of control density and
61.0% of control biomass. Site-level correlations were strongly positive for
organic carbon and moisture and negative for pH and calcium, but these
relationships are exploratory because only four site means were available. The
study indicates that limestone refuse is associated with substantial
simplification of earthworm communities and reduced biomass, while reclamation
can support partial biological recovery.
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Pages:24-28
How to cite this article:
Dr. Deen Dayal Jaiswal "Impact of limestone mining refuse on the community structure and biomass of soil macro-invertebrates (Earthworms) in Baloda bazar district, Chhattisgarh, India". International Journal of Advanced Education
, Vol 2, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 24-28
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