Ph.D. student QIAO Xiaojuan and her teacher LI Guomin analyze the influence of coal mining on the groundwater from a case study in West Mountain area of Taiyuan City.

The hydrochemical analysis results reflect the relationship of the recharge, runoff, and drainage; the features of the medium; and water-rock interactions. Based on a qualitative understanding of the geological deposition and characteristics of the groundwater flow system, three dimensional groundwater flow models are established and applied to several scenarios to explore the quantitative influence and allow better protection of the groundwater environment and better utilization of water resources.

Fig. 1 Vertical layers in the active cells in the study area. (Image by QIAO)

Fig. 2 Calculated hydraulic heads under three scenarios. (Image by QIAO)

Fig. 3 Piper diagram for the samples taken from the Taiyuan karst groundwater system. (Image by QIAO)

Qiao et al. Influence of coal mining on regional karst groundwater system: a case study in West Mountain area of Taiyuan City, northern China. Environmental Earth Sciences. 2011, 64(6): 1525-1535 (Download Here)