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Analysis of mining-induced variation of the water table and potential benefits for ecological vegetation: a case study of Jinjitan coal mine in Yushenfu mining area, China

Analyse des variations de la surface piézométrique induites par l’exploitation minière et des bénéfices potentiels pour la végétation naturelle: le cas d’étude de la mine de charbon de Jinjitan dans la zone d’exploitation de Yushenfu, Chine

Análisis de la variación del nivel freático y de los beneficios potenciales para la ecología de la vegetación inducida por la minería: un estudio de caso de la mina de carbón de Jinjitan en la zona minera de Yushenfu, China

采矿引起的地下水位变化及生态植被的潜在效益分析:以中国榆神府矿区金鸡滩煤矿为例

Análise da variação do lençol freático induzida pela mineração e benefícios potenciais para a vegetação ecológica: um estudo de caso da mina de carvão de Jinjitan na área de mineração de Yushenfu, China

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Abstract

The impact of high-intensity coal mining on water resources has drastically affected the local environment in the Yushenfu mining area, Northwest China. Many studies have ascertained that coal mining has caused reduction of the phreatic water level and vegetation death, which has deteriorated the fragile arid and semiarid ecosystems. However, at Jinjitan coal mine, it has been observed that the phreatic water level rose due to coal mining, which has been beneficial for the local ecology, especially the vegetation. In this study, the variation of the phreatic water table and its ecological effects were investigated by in-situ tests and remote sensing. The results suggest that the recovery of the permeability of the loess aquitard controls the vertical leakage of phreatic water, whereas horizontal recharge is controlled by land subsidence. An ecological impact evaluation, using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), demonstrates that the vegetation is being gradually improved. Compared to a small improvement of ~9.7% in the unexploited area, a ~23.3% improvement occurred in the exploited area where low-density shrubs transformed to high-density shrubs and herbs. Emergence of phreatic water at the land surface in low-lying areas of the working faces may induce the formation of an oasis and wetland system in arid and semiarid areas. These findings could change the conventional negative impression around mining and improve ecological restoration practices.

Résumé

L’impact de l’exploitation intensive d’une mine de charbon sur les ressources en eau a affecté radicalement l’environnement local dans la zone d’exploitation de Yushenfu, Chine du Nord-Ouest. De nombreuses études ont établi que l’exploitation des mines de charbon a provoqué une baisse du niveau phréatique des eaux souterraines et la mort de la végétation, ce qui a détérioré les fragiles écosystèmes arides et semi-arides. Pourtant, à la mine de charbon de Jinjitan, on a observé que le niveau phréatique a augmenté du fait de l’exploitation du charbon, ce qui a été bénéfique pour l’écologie locale, en particulier pour la végétation. Dans la présente étude, les variations de la surface piézométrique et ses effets écologiques ont été étudiés à l’aide de tests in-situ et d’images satellitaires. Les résultats suggèrent que le rétablissement de la perméabilité de l’aquitard constitué par des lœss contrôle le drainage vertical de l’eau phréatique, tandis que la recharge horizontale est contrôlée par la subsidence du sol. Une évaluation de l’impact écologique, utilisant l’Indice Différentiel Normalisé de la Végétation (IDNV), montre que la végétation est en train de s’améliorer graduellement. En comparaison d’une petite amélioration de ~9.7% dans la zone inexploitée, une croissance de ~23.3% est intervenue dans la zone exploitée où des arbustes très clairsemés ont été remplacés par des arbustes et des plantes herbacées très denses. L’émergence d’eau phréatique à la surface du sol dans les parties basses des aires de travail peut générer la formation d’un système d’oasis et de zones humides au sein de zone arides et semi arides. Ces constatations pourraient modifier l’impression négative habituellement ressentie aux alentours d’une exploitation minière et améliorer les pratiques de restauration écologiques.

Resumen

El impacto de la minería del carbón de alta intensidad sobre los recursos hídricos ha afectado drásticamente al medio ambiente local en la zona minera de Yushenfu, en el noroeste de China. Muchos estudios han constatado que la minería del carbón ha provocado la profundización del nivel de agua freática y la desaparición de la vegetación, lo que ha deteriorado los frágiles ecosistemas áridos y semiáridos. Sin embargo, en la mina de carbón de Jinjitan, se ha observado que el nivel de agua freática se elevó debido a la minería del carbón, lo que ha sido beneficioso para la ecología local, especialmente para la vegetación. En este estudio, se investigó la variación del nivel freático y sus efectos ecológicos mediante pruebas in situ y teledetección. Los resultados sugieren que la recuperación de la permeabilidad del acuitardo de loess controla la filtración vertical del agua freática, mientras que la recarga horizontal está controlada por el hundimiento del terreno. Una evaluación del impacto ecológico, utilizando el índice de vegetación de diferencia normalizada (NDVI), demuestra que la vegetación está mejorando gradualmente. En comparación con una pequeña mejora de ~9.7% en la zona no explotada, se produjo una mejora de ~23.3% en la zona explotada, donde los arbustos de baja densidad se transformaron en arbustos y hierbas de alta densidad. La aparición de agua freática en la superficie del terreno en las zonas bajas de las zonas de explotación puede inducir la formación de un sistema de oasis y humedales en zonas áridas y semiáridas. Estos hallazgos podrían cambiar la impresión negativa convencional en torno a la minería y mejorar las prácticas de restauración ecológica.

摘要

高强度煤炭开采对水资源的影响已严重影响了中国西北榆神府矿区的当地环境。许多研究已经确定, 煤矿开采导致潜水水位的降低和植被的死亡, 这使脆弱的干旱和半干旱生态系统恶化了。然而, 在金鸡滩煤矿已经发现由于采煤而使潜水水位上升, 这有利于当地生态, 特别是植被。在这项研究中, 通过原位测试和遥感研究了潜水位的变化及其生态影响。结果表明, 黄土隔水层渗透率的恢复控制着潜水的垂直渗漏, 而水平补给则受地面沉降的控制。使用归一化植被指数(NDVI)进行的生态影响评估表明, 植被正在逐步改善。与未开发区的约9.7%的小幅改善相比, 在低密度灌木向高密度的灌木和草本转变的被开发区, 约有23.3%的改善。在工作面低洼地区的陆地表面出现潜水可能会在干旱和半干旱地区形成诱发的绿洲和湿地系统。这些发现可能会改变采矿业的传统负面印象, 并改善生态恢复做法。

Resumo

O impacto da mineração de carvão de alta intensidade sobre os recursos hídricos afetou drasticamente o meio ambiente local na área de mineração de Yushenfu, no noroeste da China. Muitos estudos constataram que a mineração de carvão causou redução do nível freático e morte da vegetação, o que deteriorou os frágeis ecossistemas áridos e semiáridos. Porém, na mina de carvão de Jinjitan, observou-se que o nível das águas freáticas aumentou devido à mineração de carvão, o que tem sido benéfico para a ecologia local, principalmente para a vegetação. Neste estudo, a variação do lençol freático e seus efeitos ecológicos foram investigados por meio de testes in situ e sensoriamento remoto. Os resultados sugerem que a recuperação da permeabilidade do aquitardo loess controla a perda vertical de água freática, enquanto a recarga horizontal é controlada pelo aluimento do solo. Uma avaliação de impacto ecológico, usando o índice de vegetação de diferença normalizada (NDVI), demonstra que a vegetação está sendo gradualmente melhorada. Comparado com uma pequena melhoria de ~9.7% na área não explorada, uma melhoria de ~23.3% ocorreu na área explorada onde arbustos de baixa densidade se transformaram em arbustos de alta densidade e ervas. A emergência de água freática na superfície da terra em áreas baixas das faces de trabalho pode induzir a formação de um oásis e sistema de páreas úmidas em áreas áridas e semiáridas. Essas descobertas podem mudar a impressão negativa convencional em torno da mineração e melhorar as práticas de restauração ecológica.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the reviewers for their useful comments.

Funding

Financial support for this work was provided by the Fundamental Research Funds of the State Key Program of National Natural Science of China (No. 41931284).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Mine Water Hazards Prevention and Controlling Technology, School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, China

    Weichi Chen, Wenping Li, Zhi Yang & Qiqing Wang

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  1. Weichi Chen
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  2. Wenping Li
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Correspondence to Wenping Li.

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Chen, W., Li, W., Yang, Z. et al. Analysis of mining-induced variation of the water table and potential benefits for ecological vegetation: a case study of Jinjitan coal mine in Yushenfu mining area, China. Hydrogeol J 29, 1629–1645 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-021-02325-z

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