scholarly journals Land Subsidence Estimation for Aquifer Drainage Induced by Underground Mining

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 4658
Author(s):  
Artur Guzy ◽  
Wojciech T. Witkowski

Land subsidence caused by groundwater withdrawal induced by mining is a relatively unknown phenomenon. This is primarily due to the small scale of such movements compared to the land subsidence caused by deposit extraction. Nonetheless, the environmental impact of drainage-related land subsidence remains underestimated. The research was carried out in the “Bogdanka” coal mine in Poland. First, the historical impact of mining on land subsidence and groundwater head changes was investigated. The outcomes of these studies were used to construct the influence method model. With field data, our model was successfully calibrated and validated. Finally, it was used for land subsidence estimation for 2030. As per the findings, the field of mining exploitation has the greatest land subsidence. In 2014, the maximum value of the phenomenon was 0.313 cm. However, this value will reach 0.364 m by 2030. The spatial extent of land subsidence caused by mining-induced drainage extends up to 20 km beyond the mining area’s boundaries. The presented model provided land subsidence patterns without the need for a complex numerical subsidence model. As a result, the method presented can be effectively used for land subsidence regulation plans considering the impact of mining on the aquifer system.

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 7871
Author(s):  
Artur Guzy ◽  
Agnieszka A. Malinowska

The environmental impact assessment of underground mining usually includes the direct effects of exploitation. These are damage to rock mass and land subsidence. Continuous dewatering of the aquifer system is, however, necessary to carry out underground mining operations. Consequently, the drainage of the aquifer system is observed at a regional scale. The spatial extent of the phenomenon is typically much wider than the direct impact of the exploitation. The research presented was, therefore, aimed at evaluating both the direct and the indirect effects of underground mining. Firstly, the spatial extent of land subsidence was determined based on the Knothe theory. Secondly, underground mining-induced drainage of the aquifers was modeled. The 3D finite-difference hydrogeological model was constructed based on the conventional groundwater flow theory. The values of model hydrogeological parameters were determined based on literature and empirical data. These data were also used for model calibration. Finally, the results of the calculations were compared successfully with the field data. The research results presented indicate that underground mining’s indirect effects cover a much larger area than direct effects. Thus, underground mining requires a broader environmental assessment. Our results can, therefore, pave the way for more efficient management of groundwater considering underground mining.


Author(s):  
Olha Bohomaz ◽  
◽  
Оlena Zavialova ◽  

Purpose. The aim of the work is to quantify the indicators of the environmental impact of mining enterprises on the state of the natural environment during the operation of a mining enterprise and after its liquidation. Method. The paper uses a computational and analytical research method. Results. Based on the calculations performed, it was established that the specific assessment of the environmental impact on the biosphere components of the Mining Enterprise PJSC "MM "Pokrovskoe" for the entire estimated period of the mine's existence: lithosphere – 0.071; hydrosphere – 0.02; atmosphere – 0.77; biota – 0.009; physical fields – 0.13. After the liquidation of the mine, due to the termination of coal mining operations from methane-free coal seams, the absence of emergency gas emissions, as well as a decrease in noise and heat pollution, the specific impact on the atmosphere (0) and physical fields (0.0004) is significantly reduced, but at the same time, the impact on the hydrosphere (0.26) and lithosphere (0.72) significantly increases, which is associated with changes in the hydrological regime of water and the deterioration of mine discharges of water quality in the hydrographic network due to pumping mine effluents to the daytime surface, with the dry method closing the mine, and waterlogging of the territory with a wet and combined method of closing the mine. The indicator of specific impact on the biota (0.009) does not change. Scientific novelty. A methodology for calculating indicators of the environmental impact of mining enterprises on the state of the natural environment is proposed. Practical significance. The obtained indicators of environmental impact on the components of the biosphere can serve as a basis for developing measures to reduce the negative manifestations of mining enterprises on the state of the natural environment. Key words environmental risk, mining enterprise, biosphere components, environmental impact.


Author(s):  
Adina Bud ◽  

The topic presented in the paper refers to two significant aspects regarding the impact of mining operations on the environment and the development of an alluvial mining project in the affected area. The mine waters that drain from the Cizma mining perimeter have an acidic character with a pH of 2.5 at the exit of the gallery with a load of heavy metals in ionic and precipitated form, discharging into a mountain stream, which later reaches in the area of some communities. The perimeter is located in a protected area, which encumbers exploitation projects in these areas.


1991 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 603 ◽  
Author(s):  
MPL Smith

Assessment of impact can have at least three meanings: the evaluation, prior to impact, of the loss or alteration of a natural community; the prediction of impact; and the measurement of the extent of impact after it has occurred. Measurement of impact in environmental impact assessment (EIA) for aquatic biota is relatively rare. In most cases, scientists are required to predict impacts without testing whether these predictions hold following development. There are numerous study approaches in EIA that form the basis for predictions. These include a reliance on existing information, snapshot surveys, and surveys conducted over several sampling periods prior to impact. The latter two approaches can be divided into surveys of the impact site alone or surveys of the impact site plus control sites. There also is an issue-oriented approach in which the description of the environment is more closely linked to the predicted physical effects of the proposal. An example is given in which organisms at existing marinas are compared with those at natural sites in an area where a new marina is proposed. While there may be a sound scientific basis for the selection of a particular study approach, there are other considerations such as the cost of the proposal, the legislative framework for EIA, the scale of the proposal, and the attitude of the proponent. It is important that predictions of impact be stated as clearly as possible so that they can be evaluated readily and can facilitate monitoring if required. An area in which monitoring could be of value for improving the accuracy of EIA predictions is in small-scale developments, such as small marinas and maintenance dredging.


Soil Research ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Pavelic ◽  
Kumar A. Narayan ◽  
Peter J. Dillon

Groundwater flow modelling has been undertaken for an area of 10 500 ha within the regional unconfined aquifer system of a coastal plain of southern Australia, in the vicinity of the town of Cooke Plains, to predict the impact of various land management options (including recharge reduction and discharge enhancement) on the extent of land salinisation caused by shallow saline watertables. The model was calibrated against field data collected over 6 years. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the influence of mesh size, boundary conditions, and aquifer parameters, and particularly rates of recharge and evaporative discharge, on groundwater levels. These were varied until the model was shown to be capable of simulating seasonal trends and regional and local flow patterns. The model was then used to predict the impact of the management options on groundwater levels. The results showed that continuing current annual crop–pasture rotations will result in watertable rises of approximately 0·2 m in 20 years (significant in this setting), with a further 50 ha of land salinised. A reduction in the rates of groundwater recharge through the establishment of high water-use perennial pastures (e.g. lucerne) showed the most promise for controlling groundwater levels. For example, a reduction in recharge by 90% would result in watertable declines of 0·6–1·0 m within 5–10 years, with the return to productivity of 180 ha of saline land. Small-scale (say <100 ha) efforts to reduce recharge were found to have no significant impact on groundwater levels. Enhanced groundwater discharge such as pumping from a windmill was found to be non-viable due to the relatively high aquifer transmissivity and specific yield. The modelling approach has enabled a relatively small area within a regional aquifer system to be modelled for a finite time (20 years) and has shown that extension of the boundaries of the model would not have altered the predicted outcomes. Furthermore, the analysis of sensitivity to cell size in an undulating landscape where net recharge areas can become net discharge areas with only small increases in groundwater level is novel, and has helped to build confidence in the model. Modelling has demonstrated that dryland salinisation can be controlled by reducing groundwater recharge over substantial tracts of land, and is not dependent on recharge reduction over an extensive area upgradient, at least over the next 20 years.


Author(s):  
Neil Deeds ◽  
Michael Turco ◽  
Van Kelley ◽  
Christina Petersen ◽  
Susan Baird

Abstract. Significant undeveloped brackish groundwater resources exist within the Coastal Lowlands Aquifer System (Gulf Coast Aquifer System) near Houston, Texas, USA. As the development of these frontier resources is imminent, an improved understanding of the impact development may have on the availability of the resource and land subsidence is needed. In this region, land subsidence is caused by the depressurization of the aquifer and compaction of the many clay lenses in the subsurface. The Gulf Coast Aquifer System in the study area includes three primary water bearing units (from shallow to deep): the Chicot (Pleistocene and Pliocene) and Evangeline (Pliocene and Miocene) aquifers, and the Jasper aquifer (Miocene). Although there has been much research and data supporting the causal relation between water-level decline and subsidence in the areas of fresh groundwater development, little data exists to inform on the potential subsidence impacts upon deeper brackish groundwater development. Data were compiled, and multiple hydrologic parameters were utilized to improve the understanding of the brackish resources within the study area. Geophysical logs were compiled and analysed to refine the aquifer stratigraphy, determine the binary classification of sand and clay, and estimate the groundwater salinity. These data were used to develop a MODFLOW groundwater flow model to estimate the risk of compaction and land subsidence upon the development of brackish zones within the Jasper aquifer. Compiled data detailing the total clay thickness, clay bed thickness, and clay bed location were input into the model along with a hypothetical stress to predict compaction within the Jasper aquifer across the study area while incorporating the observed heterogeneity in clay properties. Using the results from the model simulations and two other risk performance measures (depth of burial and surface flood risk), the total subsidence normalized risk score was estimated. The results of this study confirm the potential for compaction in the Jasper aquifer and for land subsidence to occur upon development. Areas with the highest risk are located in the up-dip, inland areas, near where the aquifer becomes fresh and is currently used for municipal supply. The results will inform water managers and planners in the Houston area on the future availability of brackish groundwater resources.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tran VAN ANH ◽  
Xuan-Nam BUI ◽  
Nguyen QUOC LONG ◽  
Tran TRUNG ANH

Open-pit or underground mining both causes environmental impacts such as air, soil, water pollution, etc., especially causing land subsidence of mines and surrounding areas. Research on mining subsidence is often carried out by field survey, the advantage of this method is high accuracy, but it is usually applied in a small scale. Recently, with the development of radar technology, there have been many studies applying this Radar Interferometry technique to determine surface subsidence over a wide range with a few millimeters accuracy. In this paper, 24 Sentinel-1 images were used as input materials, using the Permanent Scatter Interferometry (PSInSAR) method to determine the land subsidence of the Tan My-Thuong Tan quarries and surrounding areas. The results were compared with the average annual subsidence of 20 surveying points using GNSS technology from 1/2018 to 3/2020. The correlation coefficient of annual average land subsidence of the two methods is 0.83, showing the feasibility of applying InSAR Sentinel-1 data processed by PSInSAR method for determining mine surface deformation and surrounding area.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohani Mohd ◽  
Badrul Hisham Kamaruddin ◽  
Khulida Kirana Yahya ◽  
Elias Sanidas

The purpose of the present study is twofold: first, to investigate the true values of Muslim owner managers; second, to examine the impact of these values on entrepreneurial orientations of Muslim small-scale entrepreneurs. 850 Muslim owner managers were selected randomly using the sampling frame provided by MajlisAmanah Rakyat Malaysia (MARA). 162 completed questionnaires were collected and analyzed. For this paper only two dimensions of entrepreneurial orientations were analyzed: proactive orientation and innovative orientation. Interestingly, the findings revealed that Muslim businessmen/women are honest, loyal, disciplined and hard working. Loyalty and honesty are positively related to proactive orientation, while discipline and hard-work are positively related to innovative orientation. The findings provide implications for existing relevant theories, policy makers, practitioners and learning institutions. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 114-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.I. Usikov ◽  
◽  
L.N. Lipina ◽  
A.V. Alexandrov ◽  
S.I. Korneeva ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document