Microbial Community Dynamics the Central Paradigm for Restoration Assessment in Chrono sequence Coal Mine Overburden Spoil

Abstract

Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock with high amount of carbon and hydrocarbons that form from the compaction of layers of partially decomposed vegetation and under varying degree of temperature and pressure over time. Coal is the most abundant specimen among the fossil fuels and is liable for 55% of the energy need in India. With 344 billion tonnes of coal resources including 163 billion tonnes of proved reserves, India has the 4th largest reserves of coal in the world. About 90% of the coal reserves in India constitute non-cooking coal or thermal coal, which is primarily used for power generation and industries. Besides, 10% of the coking coal reserves are used in steel production process. Coal production in India increased from 49.81 million tonnes (October 2019) to 63.83 million tonnes (October 2021). The annual coal production in India accounted to 730 million tonnes during 2019-20 and 716 million tonnes during 2020-21 (Annual report of MCL, India). Commercial primary energy consumption in India has grown about 700% in the last four decades. The current per capita commercial primary consumption in India is about 350 kg of oil equivalent/year, which is well below that of developed countries. Driven by the rising population, expanding global economy and a quest for improved quality of life, the energy usage in India is expected to rise. Considering the limited reserve potentiality of petroleum and natural gas, the Eco-conservation restriction on Hyde project and Geo-political perception of nuclear power, coal will continue to occupy center-stage of India s energy scenario. newline