Abstract
Groundwater resource protection and use are major challenges for the development of the coal industry in the long term. It is therefore crucial to investigate hydrogeochemical processes for sustainable groundwater resource use. A complex multi-layered groundwater system in a coal mine area was investigated and hierarchical cluster analysis, hydrochemical correlation analysis, and stable isotope analysis were applied to identify the water-rock interactions in the six reaction zones. Mineral dissolution and precipitation, cation exchange, sulfate reduction, and evaporation were the potential reactions. Three hydrogeochemical transport paths were derived using inverse simulation. The study found a connection between river water, pit lake water, and the Quaternary loose aquifer (QLA), indicating a contamination threat. Cross contamination between the Ordovician fracture limestone aquifer (OFA) water and QLA water, the Carboniferous fracture limestone aquifer (CFA) water, and Xie River water is possible, and after pit closure, mine water could contaminate QLA water. Therefore, measures to prevent cross-contamination due to these connections should be taken. The results provide a scientific basis for groundwater quality management in the study area and in other coal mines within the Huabei coalfield.
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