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Using stable isotopes (δD, δ18O, δ34S and 87Sr/86Sr) to identify sources of water in abandoned mines in the Fengfeng coal mining district, northern China

Utilisation des isotopes stables (δD, δ18O, δ34S and 87Sr/86Sr) pour identifier l’origine de l’eau dans des mines abandonnées dans le district des mines de charbon de Fengfeng dans le Nord de la Chine

Uso de isótopos estables (δD, δ18O, δ34S and 87Sr/86Sr) Para identificar las Fuentes de agua en minas abandonadas en el distrito minero de carbón de Fengfeng, norte de China

利用稳定同位素(δD,δ18O,δ34S和87Sr/86Sr)识别华北峰峰矿区废弃矿井充水水源

Uso de isótopos estáveis (δD, δ18O, δ34S e 87Sr/86Sr) Para identificar fontes de água em minas abandonadas no distrito de mineração de carvão de Fengfeng, norte da China

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Abstract

With depleted coal resources or deteriorating mining geological conditions, some coal mines have been abandoned in the Fengfeng mining district, China. Water that accumulates in an abandoned underground mine (goaf water) may be a hazard to neighboring mines and impact the groundwater environment. Groundwater samples at three abandoned mines (Yi, Er and Quantou mines) in the Fengfeng mining district and the underlying Ordovician limestone aquifer were collected to characterize their chemical and isotopic compositions and identify the sources of the mine water. The water was HCO3·SO4-Ca·Mg type in Er mine and the auxiliary shaft of Yi mine, and HCO3·SO4-Na type in the main shaft of Quantou mine. The isotopic compositions (δD and δ18O) of water in the three abandoned mines were close to that of Ordovician limestone groundwater. Faults in the abandoned mines were developmental, possibly facilitating inflows of groundwater from the underlying Ordovician limestone aquifers into the coal mines. Although the Sr2+ concentrations differed considerably, the ratios of Sr2+/Ca2+ and 87Sr/86Sr and the 34S content of SO42− were similar for all three mine waters and Ordovician limestone groundwater, indicating that a close hydraulic connection may exist. Geochemical and isotopic indicators suggest that (1) the mine waters may originate mainly from the Ordovician limestone groundwater inflows, and (2) the upward hydraulic gradient in the limestone aquifer may prevent its contamination by the overlying abandoned mine water. The results of this study could be useful for water resources management in this area and other similar mining areas.

Résumé

Avec des ressources houillères épuisées ou une détérioration des conditions géologiques minières, certaines mines de charbon ont été abandonnées dans le district minier de Fengfeng en Chine. L’eau qui s’accumule dans une mine souterraine abandonnée peut constituer un risque pour les mines avoisinantes et impacter les eaux souterraines. Des échantillons d’eau souterraine ont été prélevés au niveau de trois mines abandonnées (mines de Yi, Er et Quantou) dans le district minier de Fengfeng et de l’aquifère calcaire sous-jacent de l’Ordovicien afin de caractériser les compositions chimiques et isotopiques et identifier les origines de l’eau de la mine. La composition de l’eau est du type HCO3·SO4-Ca·Mg dans la mie Er et du puits auxiliaire de la mine d’Yi, et du type HCO3·SO4-Na dans la puits principal de mine de Quantou. Les compositions isotopiques (δD et δ18O) de l’eau dans les trois mines abandonnées étaient proches de celles des eaux souterraines calcaires de l’Ordovicien. Les failles dans les mines abandonnées étaient liées à leur développement, facilitant éventuellement les apports d’eau souterraine des aquifères calcaires de l’Ordovicien sous-jacents dans les mines de charbon. Bien que les concentrations en Sr2+ différaient considérablement, les rapports de Sr2+/Ca2+ et 87Sr/86Sr et la teneur en 34S de SO42− étaient semblables pour les trois eaux de mines et les eaux souterraines des calcaires de l’Ordovicien, ce qui indique qu’une connexion hydraulique peut exister. Les indicateurs géochimiques et isotopiques suggèrent que (1) les eaux de mine peuvent provenir principalement des apports d’eaux souterraines des calcaires de l’Ordovicien, et (2) le gradient hydraulique ascendant dans l’aquifère calcaire peut empêcher sa contamination par l’eau des mines abandonnées sus-jacentes. Les résultats de cette étude pourraient être utiles pour la gestion des ressources en eau dans ce secteur et d’autres zones minières semblables.

Resumen

Algunas minas de carbón con sus recursos agotados o con el deterioro de las condiciones geológicas mineras han sido abandonadas en el distrito minero de Fengfeng, China. El agua que se acumula en una mina subterránea abandonada (agua de goaf) puede ser un peligro para las minas vecinas e impactar el ambiente del agua subterránea. Se recogieron muestras de agua subterránea en tres minas abandonadas (minas Yi, Er y Quantou) en el distrito minero de Fengfeng y en el acuífero subyacente de caliza del Ordovícico para caracterizar sus composiciones químicas e isotópicas e identificar las fuentes del agua de la mina. El agua era de tipo HCO3·SO4-Ca·Mg en la mina Er y en el eje auxiliar de la mina Yi, y el tipo HCO3·SO4-Ca en el eje principal de la mina Quantou. Las composiciones isotópicas (δD and δ18O) del agua en las tres minas abandonadas eran similares a las del agua subterránea de la caliza ordovícica. Las fallas en las minas abandonadas fueron de desarrollo, posiblemente facilitando las entradas de agua subterránea desde los acuíferos de caliza subyacentes del Ordovícico a las minas de carbón. Aunque las concentraciones de Sr2+ difirieron considerablemente, las relaciones Sr2+/Ca2+ and 87Sr/86Sr y el contenido de 34S de SO42− fueron similares para las tres aguas de mina y las aguas subterráneas de la caliza ordovícica, lo que indica que puede existir una conexión hidráulica cercana. Los indicadores geoquímicos e isotópicos sugieren que (1) las aguas de la mina pueden originarse principalmente de las entradas de aguas subterráneas de la caliza ordovícica, y (2) el gradiente hidráulico ascendente en el acuífero de la caliza puede evitar su contaminación por el agua de mina abandonada superpuesta. Los resultados de este estudio podrían ser útiles para el manejo de recursos hídricos en esta área y otras áreas mineras similares.

摘要

随着煤炭资源枯竭或开采地质条件恶化,华北峰峰矿区的一些矿井已经关闭。积聚在废弃矿井中的水可能对邻近矿井的开采安全构成威胁,并对地下水环境造成影响。在峰峰矿区采集了废弃矿井(一矿、二矿和泉头矿)和下伏奥陶系灰岩含水层地下水样品,分析其水化学和同位素组成特征,识别矿井充水水源。结果表明,二矿矿井水和一矿副井水的水化学类型是HCO3·SO4-Ca·Mg型,泉头矿主井水的水化学类型是HCO3·SO4-Na型。在三个废弃矿井中采集的水样品的同位素组成(δD和δ18O)与奥陶系灰岩地下水同位素组成相似。废弃矿井中断层发育,可能会使得下伏的奥陶系灰岩含水层地下水进入矿井中。虽然矿区地下水中Sr2+浓度差异很大,但是三个矿井水样品的Sr2+/Ca2+,87Sr/86Sr和硫酸盐的34S值与奥陶系灰岩地下水相似,指示了它们之间可能存在密切的水力联系。地球化学和同位素指标表明:(1)矿井水主要来源于奥陶系灰岩地下水;(2)奥陶系灰岩含水层中地下水的高水头压力可能防止了矿井水对其的污染。

Resumo

Com os recursos de carvão se esgotados ou condições geológicas de mineração se deteriorando, algumas minas de carvão foram abandonadas no distrito de mineração de Fengfeng, na China. A água que se acumula nas minas subterrâneas abandonadas pode ser um perigo para as minas adjacentes e causar um impacto no ambiente subterrâneo. Amostras de águas subterrâneas foram coletadas em três minas abandonadas (Yi, Er e Quantou), no distrito Fengfeng de mineração e no aquífero calcário Ordoviciano subjacente, para caracterização das composições químicas e isotópicas e identificação das fontes da água nas minas. O tipo predominante de água na mina Er e no eixo auxiliar da mina Yi são predominantemente HCO3·SO4-Ca·Mg, enquanto que, o tipo predominante na mina Quantou seria HCO3·SO4-Na. A composição isotópica (δD e δ18O) das águas nas três minas abandonadas estava próxima a das águas do aquífero calcário Ordoviciano. As falhas formadas nas minas abandonadas, possivelmente facilitaram a entrada da água subterrânea proveniente do calcário Ordoviciano subjacente nas minas de carvão. Embora as concentrações de Sr2+ tenham variado consideravelmente, as razões de Sr2+/Ca2+, 87Sr/86Sr e de 34S contendo SO42−, foram similares nas águas subterrâneas das três minas abandonadas e no aquífero calcário Ordoviciano, indicando que pode existir uma conexão hidráulica entre eles. As composições químicas e isotópicas sugerem que: (1) as águas das minas podem ter origem principalmente nas entradas de água subterrânea do calcário Ordoviciano e, (2) o gradiente hidráulico ascendente do aquífero calcário pode impedir a contaminação pela água da mina abandonada sobreposta. Os resultados deste estudo podem ser úteis para a gestão de recursos hídricos nesta área ou em áreas de mineração similares.

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Acknowledgements

We greatly thank Dr. Zongyu Chen and other (anonymous) reviewers for their helpful comments and suggestions. Special thanks go to Dr. Charles Cravotta for the great contribution to the manuscript. Thanks also to Mr. Chai Zhenjun, Mr. Bai Zhihun and other staff from the Fengfeng Coal Mining Administration for their assistance in the field work.

Funding

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41272269, 41672243) and the Fok Ying Tung Education Foundation (161014).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Evolution, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Shen Qu, Guangcai Wang, Zheming Shi, Qingyu Xu, Yuying Guo, Luan Ma & Yizhi Sheng

  2. School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Shen Qu, Guangcai Wang, Zheming Shi, Qingyu Xu, Yuying Guo, Luan Ma & Yizhi Sheng

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  1. Shen Qu
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  2. Guangcai Wang
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  3. Zheming Shi
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  4. Qingyu Xu
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  5. Yuying Guo
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  6. Luan Ma
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Correspondence to Guangcai Wang.

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Published in the special issue “Groundwater sustainability in fast-developing China”

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Qu, S., Wang, G., Shi, Z. et al. Using stable isotopes (δD, δ18O, δ34S and 87Sr/86Sr) to identify sources of water in abandoned mines in the Fengfeng coal mining district, northern China. Hydrogeol J 26, 1443–1453 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1803-5

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