Abstract
This study assessed the geochemistry and quality of groundwater in the Hongdunzi coal mining area in northwest China and investigated the mechanisms governing its hydrogeochemistry and the hydraulic connectivity between adjacent aquifers. Thirty-four groundwater samples were collected for physicochemical analyses and bivariate analyses were used to investigate groundwater quality evolution. The groundwater in the mine was determined to be neutral to slightly alkaline, with high levels of salinity and hardness; most samples were of SO4·Cl–Na type. Fluoride and nitrate pollution in the confined aquifers were identified, primarily sourced from coals. Natural geochemical processes, such as mineral dissolution, cation exchange, and groundwater evaporation, largely control groundwater chemistry. Anthropogenic inputs from agricultural and mining activities were also identified in both shallow unconfined aquifers and the deeper confined aquifers, respectively. It was determined that the middle confined aquifer has a high hydraulic connectivity with the lower coal-bearing aquifer due to developed fractures. Careful management of the overlying aquifers is required to avoid mine water inrush geohazards and groundwater quality deterioration. The groundwater in the mining area is generally of poor quality, and is unsuitable for direct human consumption or irrigation. Na+, SO42−, Cl−, F−, TH, TDS, NO3−, and CODMn are the major factors responsible for the poor quality of the phreatic water, while Na+, SO42−, F−, and TDS are the major constituents affecting the confined groundwater quality. This study is beneficial for understanding the impacts of coal mine development on groundwater quality, and safeguarding sustainable mining in arid areas.
摘要
研究了中国西北红墩子煤矿地下水系统的地球化学过程和水质特征,探讨了地下水水文地球化学过程及含水层间水力联系的控制机理。基于34个水样采集与分析,采用双变量分析研究了地下水质演化。结果显示矿区地下水呈中性到微碱性,盐度和硬度偏高,多属SO4·Cl–Na型水。承压水存在氟离子和氮污染,主要源自煤层释放。地下水化学特征主要受控于矿物溶解、阳离子交换和地下水蒸发等自然地球化学过程,但浅层潜水和深层承压水也分别发现了农业和矿业活动影响证据。中层承压含水层裂隙发育,使其与煤系下部承压含水层具有较强水力联系。认真管理煤层上覆含水层以避免煤矿突水和地下水质退化。矿区地下水水质较差,不适宜直接饮用和灌溉。Na+、SO42−、Cl−、F−、总硬度、溶解性总固体、NO3− 和高锰酸盐指数是影响潜水水质的主要指标,Na+、SO42−、F− 和溶解性总固体是影响承压水水质的主要组分。研究有助于预测煤炭开采对地下水质影响,对保障旱区可持续矿产开发有重要意义。
Zusammenfassung
Diese Studie untersucht Geochemie und Qualität des Grundwassers in dem Bereich der Hongdunzi Kohlenmine in Nordwest-China und untersucht die Mechanismen, welche die Hydrogeochemie und die hydraulische Verbindung zwischen benachbarten Aquiferen bestimmen. Vierunddreissig Grundwasserproben wurden für physikochemische Analysen gesammelt. Bivariate Analysen wurden zur Untersuchung der Entwicklung der Qualität des Grundwassers genutzt. Das Grundwasser im Bergbau war neutral bis gering alkalin, mit hoher Salinität und Härte; die meisten Proben waren vom SO4·Cl-Na Typ. In den gespannten Aquiferen wurde Fluorid- und Nitratkontamination erkannt, welche überwiegend aus den Kohlen herrührt. Natürliche geochemische Prozesse, etwa Lösung von Mineralen, Kationenaustausch und Grundwasserverdunstung bestimmen überwiegend die Grundwasserchemie. Anthropogene Einflüsse durch Landwirtschaft und Bergbau wurden sowohl in oberflächennahen ungespannten Aquiferen wie in tieferen gespannten Leitern erkannt. Infolge von Brüchen hat der mittlere gespannte Aquifer eine hohe hydraulische Konnektivität mit dem darunter lagernden kohleführenden Aquifer. Sorgfältige Steuerung der hangenden Aquifere ist erforderlich, um Wassereinbrüche in die Mine und Verschlechterung der Grundwasserqualität zu vermeiden. Das Grundwasser des Bergbaubereiches ist generell von schlechter Qualität und als Trinkwasser oder zur Bewässerung nicht brauchbar. Na+, SO42−, Cl−, F−, TH, TDS, NO3−, and CODMn sind die hauptsächlichen Faktoren für die geringe Qualität des phreatischen Wassers, während Na+, SO42−, F−, und TDS vor allem die Qualität des gespannten Grundwassers beeinträchtigen.Diese Studie unterstützt das Verstehen der Einflüsse, welche die Entwicklung von Kohlenminen auf die Grundwasserqualität hat, und die Sicherung nachhaltigen Bergbaues in ariden Gebieten.
Resumen
Este estudió relevó la geoquímica y la calidad del agua subterránea en el área minera de carbón Hongdunzi en el noroeste de China e investigó los mecanismos que gobiernan la hidrogeoquímica y la conectividad hidráulica entre acuíferos adyacentes. Se recolectaron 34 muestras de aguas subterráneas para análisis fisicoquímicos y se utilizaron análisis bivariantes para investigar la evolución de la calidad del agua subterránea. El agua subterránea de la mina resultó ser neutra a ligeramente alcalina, con altos niveles de salinidad y dureza; la mayoría de las muestras fueron del tipo SO4∙Cl-Na. La polución de fluoruros y nitratos identificada en los acuíferos confinados se originaron primariamente en los carbones. Los procesos geoquímicos naturales como la disolución de minerales, el intercambio catiónico y la evaporación del agua subterránea, controlan largamente la química del agua subterránea. La influencia antropogénica, a través de actividades agrícolas y mineras, pudieron ser detectadas tanto en los acuíferos confinados poco profundos como en los acuíferos confinados más profundos. Se determinó que el acuífero confinado central tiene una alta conectividad hidráulica con el acuífero menor que contiene carbón debido a fracturas desarrolladas. Se requiere un cuidadoso manejo de los acuíferos para evitar el riesgo geológico y la irrupción de agua de mina y el deterioro de la calidad del agua subterránea. El agua subterránea en la zona de trabajo minero es de baja calidad y es inadecuada para consumo humano o riego. Na+, SO42−, Cl−, F−, TH, TDS, NO3− y CODMn son los principales factores responsables de la baja calidad del agua freática, mientras que Na+, SO42−, F− y TDS son los principales factores que afectan la calidad del agua subterránea confinada. Este estudio permite una mejor comprensión de los impactos del desarrollo de la minería del carbón sobre la calidad del agua subterránea y el desarrollo de minería sustentable en áreas áridas.
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Acknowledgements
The study is jointly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41502234, 41761144059 and 41602238), the Foundation of Outstanding Young Scholar of Chang’an University (310829153509), the Research Funds for Young Stars in Science and Technology of Shaanxi Province (2016KJXX-29), the General Financial Grant from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2015M580804 and 2016M590911), the Special Financial Grant from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2016T090878 and 2017T100719), the Special Financial Grant from the Shaanxi Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2015BSHTDZZ09 and 2016BSHTDZZ03), the Joint Foundation of Key Laboratory of Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (KF201601), the Innovation Training Program for Undergraduate Students of Chang’an University (201610710073, 201710710099 and 201710710100), and the Special Fund for Basic Scientific Research of Central Universities (310829161014, 310829173306, 310829173701, and 310829172202). We are grateful to the anonymous reviewers and the editors for their constructive suggestions, which have helped us a lot in improving the quality of the paper. Senior Engineer X. Wu from the Ningxia Institute of Land and Resources Survey and Monitoring is also acknowledged for providing us with the basic data.
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Li, P., Wu, J., Tian, R. et al. Geochemistry, Hydraulic Connectivity and Quality Appraisal of Multilayered Groundwater in the Hongdunzi Coal Mine, Northwest China. Mine Water Environ 37, 222–237 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-017-0507-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-017-0507-8