Soil distribution and water quality changers at Dediyawela ball clay mining site; Kaluthara, Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study was conducted in the ball clay deposit which is situated at Dediyawela in the Kaluthara district. It was conducted in order to determine the soil distribution in the different clay mining sites and its relation to water quality changes in the area. The study was conducted during October 2007- February 2008. Three main regions were selected in the study area to identify soil distribution. These three main regions were the region which is mining ball clay, the region which has not been mining clay yet and the region which back filled. Their soil colour, pH value, Electrical Conductivity, water content was compared among one another. Statistical methods were used to analyze the data. The pH testing results havee shown the soil in some areas was acidic. But the Electrical conductivity of the groundwater was same due to infiltrated precipitated water. The results revealed that ball clay mining affects the soil colour, pH values and water content of the soil in the Dediyawela clay mining sites.