Water quality characteristics and reutilization of goaf water from shallow coal seams within the Datong mining area, Shanxi Province, China

Authors

LI Jun, National Engineering Research Center of Coal Mine Water Hazard Controlling (Suzhou University), Suzhou 234111, China; Key Laboratory of Mine Water Resource Utilization of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Suzhou University, Suzhou 234111, ChinaFollow
GUI Herong, National Engineering Research Center of Coal Mine Water Hazard Controlling (Suzhou University), Suzhou 234111, China; Key Laboratory of Mine Water Resource Utilization of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Suzhou University, Suzhou 234111, ChinaFollow
DING Pengfei, Shanxi Province Coal Geology 115 Exploration Institute Co., LTD., Datong 037100, China
CHEN Yongqing, Anhui Hengyuan Coal & Electric Co., Ltd., Huaibei 235157, China
WAN Heyong, Huaibei Mining Co., Ltd. Luling Coal Mine, Suzhou 234113, China
LI Weiqi, Tiandi Co. Ltd., Beijing 100013, China
HUANG Dawei, Anhui Changfeng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Tongling 244153, China
PENG Weihua, National Engineering Research Center of Coal Mine Water Hazard Controlling (Suzhou University), Suzhou 234111, China; Key Laboratory of Mine Water Resource Utilization of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Suzhou University, Suzhou 234111, China
HU Yang, National Engineering Research Center of Coal Mine Water Hazard Controlling (Suzhou University), Suzhou 234111, China; Key Laboratory of Mine Water Resource Utilization of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Suzhou University, Suzhou 234111, China
GUO Yan, National Engineering Research Center of Coal Mine Water Hazard Controlling (Suzhou University), Suzhou 234111, China; Key Laboratory of Mine Water Resource Utilization of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Suzhou University, Suzhou 234111, China

Abstract

Objective The Datong mining area in Shanxi Province of China faces serious threats from goaf water hazards, while the goaf water drainage is constrained by environmental protection policies. Therefore, the reutilization of goaf water serves as an effective approach to eliminating mine water hazards, protecting water environments, and mitigating water scarcity in the mining area. Methods This study investigated goaf water from shallow coal seams in the Datong mining area. Based on water quality assessment theories and a range of hydrogeochemical indices, including saturation index (SI), chloro-alkaline index (CAI), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), this study conducted a joint determination of the conventional physicochemical characteristics, hydrochemical components, and water pollution indicators of the goaf water. Accordingly, the water quality characteristics and their genetic mechanisms were analyzed, and the characteristic pollutant types under different water standards were determined. By combining practical application cases, this study proposed a technical pathway for the reutilization of goaf water in the Datong mining area. Results and Conclusions The goaf water in the Datong mining area exhibits hydrochemical types dominated by Na-SO₄ and Ca-SO₄, consistent with those of typical mine water in the coal base of northwestern China. The goaf water shows average total dissolved solids (TDS) of 2 190 mg/L and electrical conductivity (EC) of 2 716 μS/cm, indicating high salinity and ion concentrations. The SIs, ion concentration proportions, CAI, and Gibbs diagrams reveal that the hydrochemical components of the goaf water are jointly controlled by rock weathering, as well as evaporation and concentration, with major chemical components formed primarily by the alternating cation adsorption and the dissolution and leaching effects. Based on the fundamental principle of source protection, classified treatment, and comprehensive utilization, the goaf water in the Datong mining area was classified as high-salinity, high-suspended-solid, and high-sulfate water when designated for landscape/recreational use, industrial applications, and agricultural irrigation, with exceedance indicators including TDS, ${\mathrm{SO}}_4^{2-} $, total hardness (TH), suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total/fecal coliform bacteria. A comprehensive technical pathway for the comprehensive reutilization of goaf water was established based on the scientific positioning of goaf water sources, water storage grading, the control and treatment of characteristic (residual) pollutants, and the assessment of the comprehensive reutilization potential. Engineering case analysis demonstrates the adaptability of mobile water treatment stations to the complex gully landform of the study area, effectively verifying the prospects for their widespread applications. The results of this study hold great strategic significance for promoting the water-saving, green development of similar water-scarce coal mines.

Keywords

mine water resource utilization, goaf water quality, ion sources, characteristic pollutants, mobile water treatment equipment, Datong mining area

DOI

10.12363/issn.1001-1986.25.05.0403

Recommended Citation

LI Jun, GUI Herong, DING Pengfei, et al. (2025) "Water quality characteristics and reutilization of goaf water from shallow coal seams within the Datong mining area, Shanxi Province, China," Coal Geology & Exploration: Vol. 53: Iss. 12, Article 19.
DOI: 10.12363/issn.1001-1986.25.05.0403
Available at: https://cge.researchcommons.org/journal/vol53/iss12/19

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