Abstract
Mine water inrush from coal seam roof is one of the serious disasters that threaten safe production of coal mines. Identification of water inrush source and water inrush pathway is a key task for preventing and controlling such mine water hazards. A water inrush accident at approximately 1316 m3/h occurred at no. 3301 working face of Xinhe Coal Mine in Shandong Province, China. Multiple lines of evidence including characteristics of mine water inflow rate, dynamic monitoring data of water levels in different aquifers, geochemical fingerprinting, and drill hole core examination suggest that the water inrush source originated from the overlying Lower Quaternary porous aquifer with calcite cementation. Structural analysis and numerical simulation with FLAC3D indicate that a low-angle fault, DF49, and mining-induced fractures provided the pathway for the water inrush. Mining activities made the fault hydraulically conductive and connected to the Quaternary aquifer. The numerical simulation demonstrated that the water-conducting fracture zone in the coal seam roof extended to the fault. Groundwater gushed into the mining area from the Quaternary aquifer via the combined pathway of the activated fault and mining-induced fractures. Presence of the fault in the overlying formations played a critical role in occurrence of the water inrush. Results from this case study can be of reference to all coal mines with faults or other geological discontinuities present in the overlying formation. These discontinuities may significantly extend the height of the mining-induced water-conducting fracture zone in the roof and thus increase water inrush risks.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bu WK (2009) Research on mechanical mechanism of fault activation and water inrush from faults in mining floor. Doctoral thesis. China University of Mining and Technology (in Chinese with English abstract)
Bukowski P (2011) Water hazard assessment in active shafts in Upper Silesian coal basin mines. Mine Water Environ 30(4):302–311. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-011-0148-2
Cetin M (2016) Sustainability of urban coastal area management: a case study on Cide. J Sustain Forest 35(7):527–541. https://doi.org/10.1080/10549811.2016.1228072
Cetin M, Adiguzel F, Kaya O, Sahap A (2018) Mapping of bioclimatic comfort for potential planning using GIS in Aydin. Environ Dev Sustain 20(1):361–375. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-016-9885-5
Chen T, Clauser C, Marquart G, Willbrand K, Hiller T (2018) Upscaling permeability for three-dimensional fractured porous rocks with the multiple boundary method. Hydrogeol J 26:1903–1916. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1744-z
Cheng JL, Sun XY, Gong Z, Gao F, Kong XR (2013) Numerical simulations of water-inrush induced by fault activation during deep coal mining based on fluid–solid coupling interaction. Disaster Adv 6:10–14
Guo QG (2016) Research on China's coalmine safety regulatory capture: formation mechanism, double impact and governance effect. Ph. D Thesis, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics (in Chinese with English abstract)
Guo WJ, Zhao JH, Yin LM, Kong DZ (2017) Simulating research on pressure distribution of floor pore water based on fluid-solid coupling. Arab J Geosci 10(1):5–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2770-6
Huang PH, Chen JS (2011) Fisher identify and mixing model based on multivariate statistical analysis of mine water inrush sources. J China Coal Soc 36:131–136 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Huang N, Jiang YJ, Liu RC, Li B (2017a) Estimation of permeability of 3-d discrete fracture networks: an alternative possibility based on trace map analysis. Eng Geol 226:12–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2017.05.005
Huang PH, Wang XY, Han SM (2017b) Recognition model of groundwater inrush source of coal mine: a case study on Jiaozuo coal mine in China. Arab J Geosci 10:323. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-3099-5
Jiang LS, Sainoki A, Mitri H, Ma NJ, Liu HT, Hao Z (2016) Influence of fracture-induced weakening on coal mine gateroad stability. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 88:307–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2016.04.017
Jin DW, Liu YF, Liu ZB, Cheng JY (2013) New progress of study on major water inrush disaster prevention and control technology in coal mine. Coal Sci Technol 41:25–29 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Kaya E, Agca M, Adiguzel F, Cetin M (2018) Spatial data analysis with R programming for environment. Hum Ecol Risk Assess. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2018.1470896
Krzysztof P, Kazimierz R, Piotr C (2016) Causes and effects of uncontrolled water inrush into a decommissioned mine shaft. Mine Water Environ 35:128–135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-015-0360-6
LaMoreaux JW, Wu Q, Zhou WF (2014) New development in theory and practice in mine water control in China. Carbonates Evaporites 29:141–145. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-014-0204-7
Lei GW, Yang CH, Wang GB, Chen SW, Wei X, Huo L (2016) The development law and mechanical causes of fault influenced zone. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 35:231–241 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Li LC, Tang CA, Liang ZZ, Ma TH, Zhang YB (2009) Numerical analysis of pathway formation of groundwater inrush from faults in coal seam floor. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 28:290–297 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Li T, Mei TT, Sun XH, Lv YG, Sheng JQ, Cai M (2013) A study on a water-inrush incident at Laohutai coalmine. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 59:151–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2012.12.002
Miao XX, Wang CS, Bai HB (2010) Hydrogeologic characteristics of mine water hazards in Shendong mining area. J Min Safety Eng 27:285–291 +298 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Qi YM, Li MZ, Li KJ, Yeh T-CJ (2017) Spatiotemporal development of mine water inrush and its mechanism-a case study in Ganhe coal mine, Shanxi, China. Arab J Geosci 10:433. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-3216-5
Qiao W, Li WP, Li T, Chang JY, Wang QQ (2017) Effects of coal mining on shallow water resources in semiarid regions: a case study in the Shennan mining area, Shaanxi, China. Mine Water Environ 36(1):104–113. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-016-0414-4
Rapantova N, Swiatosław K, Arnost G, Christian W (2012) Quantitative assessment of mine water sources based on the general mixing equation and multivariate statistics. Mine Water Environ 31:252–265. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-012-0192-6
State Coal Industry Bureau (2017) Guideline for coal pillar retention and pressure coal mining in buildings, water bodies, railways and major roadways. China Coal Industry Press, Beijing (in Chinese with English abstract)
Sui WH, Liu JY, Yang SG, Chen ZS, Hu YS (2011) Hydrogeological analysis and salvage of a deep coalmine after a groundwater inrush. Environ Earth Sci 62:735–749. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-010-0562-y
Sun WJ, Wu Q, Liu HL, Jiao J (2015) Prediction and assessment of the disturbances of the coal mining in Kailuan to karst groundwater system. Phys Chem Earth 89-90:136–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2015.10.008
Sun WJ, Zhou WF, Jiao J (2016) Hydrogeological classification and water inrush accidents in China’s coal mines. Mine Water Environ 35:214–220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-015-0363-3
Sun WB, Zhang SC, Guo WJ, Liu WT (2017) Physical simulation of high-pressure water inrush through the floor of a deep mine. Mine Water Environ 36:542–549. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-017-0443-7
Surinaidu L, Rao VVSG, Ramesh G (2013) Assessment of groundwater inflows into Kuteshwar limestone mines through flow modeling study, Madhya Pradesh, India. Arab J Geosci 6:1153–1161. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-011-0421-5
Tan YL, Ning JG, Li HT (2012) In situ explorations on zonal disintegration of roof strata in deep coalmines. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 49(1):113–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2011.11.015
Wang G, Wu MM, Wang R, Xu H, Song X (2017) Height of the mining-induced fractured zone above a coal face. Eng Geol 216:140–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2016.11.024
Wei JC, Xiao LL, Niu C, Yin HY, Shi LQ, Han J, Duan FT (2015) Characteristics analysis of the correlation factors of China mine water hazard accidents in 2001-2013. China Sciencepaper 10:336–341 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Wei JC, Wu FZ, Yin HY, Guo JB, Xie DL, Xiao LL, Zhi HF, Liliana L (2017) Formation and height of the interconnected fractures zone after extraction of thick coal seams with weak overburden in western China. Mine Water Environ 36(1):59–66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-016-0396-2
Wu Q, Xu H, Pang W (2008) GIS and ANN coupling model: an innovative approach to evaluate vulnerability of karst water inrush in coalmines of North China. Environ Geol 54:937–943. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0887-3
Wu Q, Fan SK, Zhou WF, Liu SQ (2013) Application of the analytic hierarchy process to assessment of water inrush: a case study for the No. 17 coal seam in the Sanhejian Coal Mine, China. Mine Water Environ 32:229–238. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-013-0228-6
Wu Q, Guo XM, Shen JJ, Xu S, Liu SQ, Zeng YF (2017a) Risk assessment of water inrush from aquifers underlying the Gushuyuan coal mine, China. Mine Water Environ 36:96–103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-016-0410-8
Wu Q, Mu WP, Xing Y, Qian C, Shen JJ, Wang Y, Zhao DK (2017b) Source discrimination of mine water inrush using multiple methods: a case study from the Beiyangzhuang Mine. Northern China B Eng Geol Environ. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-017-1194-1
Xu ZM, Sun YJ, Gong SY, Zhu ZK (2012) Monitoring and numerical simulation of formation of water inrush pathway caused by coal mining above confined water with high pressure. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 31:1698–1704 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Xu XH, Lv JG, Liu C, Bai RC, Li S (2015) Influence law of fault activation induced by coal extraction based on characteristics parameters of thrust fault. J Chongqing Univ 38:107–115 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Xu ZM, Sun YJ, Gao S, Zhao XM, Duan RQ, Yao MH, Liu Q (2018) Groundwater source discrimination and proportion determination of mine inflow using ion analyses: a case study from the Longmen Coal Mine, Henan Province, China. Mine Water Environ 37:385–392. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-018-0512-6
Yang B, Sui W, Duan L (2017) Risk assessment of water inrush in an underground coal mine based on GIS and fuzzy set theory. Mine Water Environ 36:617–627. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-017-0457-1
Yin HY, Wei JC, Lefticariu L, Guo JB, Xie DL, Li ZL, Zhao P (2016) Numerical simulation of water flow from the coal seam floor in a deep longwall mine in China. Mine Water Environ 35:243–252. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-016-0385-5
Yin HY, Zhou WF, LaMoreaux JW (2018a) Water inrush conceptual site models for coal mines of China. Environ Earth Sci 77:746. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-7920-6
Yin HY, Shi YL, Niu HG, Xie DL, Wei JC, Lefticariu L, Xu SX (2018b) A GIS-based model of potential groundwater yield zonation for a sandstone aquifer in the Juye Coalfield, Shangdong, China. J Hydrol 557:434–447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2017.12.043
Yu B, Zhao J, Xiao HT (2017) Case study on overburden fracturing during longwall top coal caving using microseismic monitoring. Rock Mech Rock Eng 50(2):1–5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-016-1096-8
Zhang JC (2005) Investigations of water inrushes from aquifers under coal seams. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 42:350–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2004.11.010
Zhang HR, Zhou RF, Guo DZ, Du PJ (2005) Investigation on predicting roof water gush in coal mines based on multi-factor analysis. J China Univ Min Technol 34:112–116 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Zhang WQ, Li B, Yuan JD (2016) Detection and evaluation of crack development near the fault zone under the influence of coal mining. Electron J Geotech Eng 21(22):6841–6850
Zhang SC, Guo WJ, Li YY, Sun WB, Yin DW (2017a) Experimental simulation of fault water inrush channel evolution in a coal mine floor. Mine Water Environ 36:443–451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-017-0433-9
Zhang WQ, Li B, Zhang GB, Li ZL (2017b) Investigation of water-flow fracture zone height in fully mechanized cave mining beneath thick alluvium. Geotech Geol Eng 35:1745–1753. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-017-0205-0
Zhang SC, Guo WJ, Li Y (2017c) Experimental simulation of water-inrush disaster from the floor of mine and its mechanism investigation. Arab J Geosci 10(22):503–513
Zhang WJ, Li SC, Wei JC, Zhang QS, Liu RT, Zhang X, Yin HY (2018a) Grouting rock fractures with cement and sodium silicate grout. Carbonates Evaporites 33(2):211–222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-016-0332-3
Zhang DY, Sui WH, Liu JW (2018b) Overburden failure associated with mining coal seams in close proximity in ascending and descending sequences under a large water body. Mine Water Environ 37:322–335. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-017-0502-0
Zhao TB, Yin YC, Tan YL (2012) Safe mining and new prediction model in coal seam with rock burst induced by roof. Disaster Adv 5(4):961–965
Zhou QL, Juan H, Arturo H (2017) The numerical analysis of fault-induced mine water inrush using the extended finite element method and fracture mechanics. Mine Water Environ 37:185–195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-017-0461-5
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank technicians in the Department of Geology and Survey in Xinhe Coal Mine. We thank anonymous reviewers for detailed comments on the draft, all thorough reviews that greatly benefited the manuscript.
Funding
This research was financially supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (No. 2017YFC0804101), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 41402250 and 41702305), Graduate Science and Technology Innovation Project of Shandong University of Science and Technology (No. SDKDYC180319), and Taishan Scholar Talent Team Support Plan for Advantaged & Unique Discipline Areas.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Additional information
Editorial handling: Broder J. Merkel
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yin, H., Zhao, H., Xie, D. et al. Mechanism of mine water inrush from overlying porous aquifer in Quaternary: a case study in Xinhe Coal Mine of Shandong Province, China. Arab J Geosci 12, 163 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-019-4325-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-019-4325-0