Volume : 11, Issue : 10, OCT 2025

ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLE-BASED REMEDIATION OF SOIL AND WATER QUALITY IN MARBLE MINING-AFFECTED AREAS: A BEFORE AND AFTER ASSESSMENT

AYUSHI SHARMA, NIRMA DHAKER

Abstract

Marble mining in Rajasthan produces large volumes of alkaline slurry waste, which has been shown to contaminate local soil and water. Prior studies reported elevated pH, high total dissolved solids (TDS) and heavy metal levels (Pb, Cd, Cr) in groundwater around Rajsamand marble site. We collected soil and water samples from three marble mining sites (Piplantri, Morchana, R.K. Marble) and measured pH, electrical conductivity (EC), TDS, and heavy metals before and after treatment with ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO–NPs). The ZnO–NPs were characterized by FTIR, UV-Vis, and XRD. Results: Before treatment, all three sites showed alkaline pH (~8.0–8.5) and TDS/EC above typical limits, consistent with earlier reports. Heavy metals in water (Pb, Cd, Cr) and soil were above safe limits. After ZnO–NP treatment, pH shifted toward neutral (decrease ~0.3–0.5), and heavy metal levels dropped dramatically (e.g. Pb from ~0.1 to ~0.01 mg/L). FTIR spectra confirmed Zn–O bonds (~443 cm^–1) and O–H groups; UV-Vis showed a ZnO band near 373 nm; XRD exhibited ZnO peaks at 2θ≈31.7°, 34.4°, 36.2° (planes (100),(002),(101)). These structural features match known ZnO NP signatures. Conclusion: ZnO–NPs effectively remediated heavy-metal contamination, reducing water/soil toxicity. Our findings align with studies showing ZnO’s high adsorption of metals. This work suggests ZnO nanoparticles are a promising, eco-friendly treatment for marble-mining pollution

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IESRJ

International Educational Scientific Research Journal

E-ISSN: 2455-295X

International Indexed Journal | Multi-Disciplinary Refereed Research Journal

ISSN: 2455-295X

Peer-Reviewed Journal - Equivalent to UGC Approved Journal

Peer-Reviewed Journal

Article No : 20

Number of Downloads : 133

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