Water Hazards Research Articles

High-Resolution Hybrid-Dimensional Inversion of Transient Electromagnetic Data for Water Hazard Detection in Coal Mines

High-Resolution Hybrid-Dimensional Inversion of Transient Electromagnetic Data for Water Hazard Detection in Coal Mines

Research on two-dimensional imaging method of tunnel water hazard hidden danger based on magnetic resonance rotation detection

Research on two-dimensional imaging method of tunnel water hazard hidden danger based on magnetic resonance rotation detection

Research and Application of Advanced Detection of Water Hazards in Coal Mine Bore-Hole

Research and Application of Advanced Detection of Water Hazards in Coal Mine Bore-Hole

Inconsistent using FLOOD and Flooding Development of EPA SWMM for Assessing Flood Occurrences in Vulnerable Urban Watershed Considering Extreme Rainfall Events

Urban flood, commonly known as urban water congestion, is a type of water hazard that poses significant challenges for urban residents and water management experts. Chittagong, an essential economic hub in Bangladesh, renowned for its role as a port city, comprises a diverse range of land use, including residential, industrial, and commercial sectors. The Chaktai canal, an important element of Chittagong drainage system, is connected to the Karnaphuli river, playing a vital role in managing drainage by handling a substantial portion of the city water. Therefore, this research evaluated the operational efficiency of a specific drainage network under the influence of altered rainfall events using the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). Using ArcGIS 10.4, the land use pattern of the area was researched, incorporating data from field surveys and secondary sources. SWMM 5.1 integrated watershed data, and further simulation was carried out to estimate runoff in various sub-catchments and drainage network limitations during heavy rain. During the intense monsoon period, the tool determined the average runoff depth, considering backwater effects and robust tidal surges, resulting in a depth of 3.3m compared to 2.6m in the dry season. This research evaluated the influence of impervious land use changes on urban drainage systems. While meteorological factors alone render drainage network sufficient in dry periods, the outfall shows vulnerability during the rainy season, with an allowance of only 0.7m, jeopardizing the catchment through flood. It contributed a schematic sub-catchment representation, emphasizing that flood events depend on volume runoff and peak flow in urban drainage system. SWMM model was used to illustrate the catchment surface runoff and interconnected node depths via conduits, as well as the current catchment scenario comprehensively.

Dual‐Functional Lithium Nitrate Mediator Eliminating Water Hazard for Practical Lithium Metal Batteries

AbstractWater, an unwelcome guest in current battery industry, has been strictly prohibited in almost all the battery production procedures. In particular, the requirement for an extremely low water content (below 20 ppm) in electrolyte has necessitated the use of water‐free raw materials and ultradry conditions, which resulting in significantly higher material cost, energy consumption, and production complexity. Here, it is shown that lithium nitrate (LiNO3) can efficiently restore water‐containing electrolyte for Li metal full batteries through a simple and scalable approach. The dual‐functional NO3− anion not only exhibits strong interaction with water molecules which suppresses the hydrolysis of hexafluorophosphate anion, but also contributes to a robust solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) that improves the electrochemical reversibility of Li metal plating and stripping process. These enable the first practical Li metal/LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 full cell with a negative/positive electrode capacity (N/P) ratio of 3.8 using a water‐containing electrolyte, which delivers a high energy density of 511 Wh kg−1 and impressive cycling stability of 240 cycles. Remarkably, the introduction of LiNO3 can tolerate moist raw materials for electrolyte preparation, and revitalize moist electrolytes after 5‐day storage, which provides a new paradigm to overcome the water hazard in the current battery industry.

Risk assessment when consuming drinking water treated with chlorine dioxide and risk management in EU countries and Ukraine to protect public health

The purpose of the work was to conduct a comparative scientific analysis of the main approaches to risk assessment and risk management to prevent the negative impact of drinking water on public health when treating it with chlorine dioxide in EU countries and Ukraine. The main risk to the population's health arising when consuming drinking water, is the risk of its microbiologicall contamination. Microbiological contamination of drinking water corresponds to a high risk, while the formation of disinfection byproducts in drinking water is an average risk. The regulatory documents of all EU countries take into account the requirements of Directive 2020/2184/EU regarding the content of chlorites and chlorates in drinking water when treating it with chlorine dioxide, while in Denmark, Slovakia, Hungary, Spain, and France, a risk-oriented approach to the safety of drinking water forced to introduce stricter standards to these indicators (as mandatory, recommended or those, which can be temporarily raised).The scientific analysis of the regulation of drinking water quality in the EU countries and Ukraine, as well as field studies on the safety and quality of drinking water at the Dnipro water station in the city of Kyiv, allowed to assess the risks of drinking water hazards and became the basis for raising the issue of revising or canceling the unscientific standard for chlorine dioxide in drinking water of the distribution network (≥0.1 mg/l), revising the strict standard for chlorites (≤0.2 mg/l), as well as control of drinking water quality by the content of chlorates following the requirements of European legislation. When appointing the organizers, executors, and decision-makers regarding risk assessment, similar approaches were implemented in various EU countries; in the documents of many countries, there are references to the relevant scientific institutions and the functions assigned to them. Under such conditions, the working programs of production control over drinking water quality and modernization plans can be adapted to the relevant water supply system and modern realities.

Complex Speciation and Distribution of Iron, Sulfur, and Trace Metals in Coal Mine Soils Reflect Grain- and Sub-Grain-Scale Heterogeneity during Pyrite Oxidative Dissolution

Historical coal mining practices have caused various soil and water hazards, particularly through the dumping of mine waste. The primary environmental risk associated with this waste is the leaching of toxic metals from dumps of spoil or refuse into the subsurface soil or into nearby water resources. The extent of metal release is controlled via the oxidative dissolution of pyrite and potential re-sequestration through secondary Fe oxides. The characterization of the dominant Fe-bearing phase and the distribution of trace metals associated with these phases was determined via electron microscopy, synchrotron-based X-ray micro-fluorescence (μ-XRF) element and redox mapping from shallow mine soils from an impacted watershed in Appalachian Ohio. The dominant Fe-bearing phases were: (1) unweathered to partially weathered pyrite; (2) pseudomorphic replacement of pyrite with Fe(III) oxides; (3) fine-grained Fe oxide surface coatings; and (4) discrete Fe(III) oxide grains. Thicker secondary coatings and larger particles were sulfate rich, whereas smaller grains and thinner coatings were sulfate poor. The discrete Fe oxide grains exhibited the highest concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, and Cu, and sub-grain-scale concentration trends (Mn > Cr > Ni > Cu) were consistent with bulk soil properties. Predicting future metal transport requires an understanding of metal speciation and distribution from the sub-grain scale to the pedon scale.

Evolution of Water-Conducting Fracture in Weakly Cemented Strata in Response to Mining Activity: Insights from Experimental Investigation and Numerical Simulation

The accurate prediction of the vertical extent of water-conducting fracture (WCF) zones in weakly cemented strata is particularly significant in preventing and controlling water hazards in western coal mines. The evolution of fractures in weakly cemented strata affected by mining disturbances was comprehensively analyzed by physical similarity models, numerical simulations, and field investigations. Results indicated that the development progress of water-conducting fractures can be divided into three phases: initial slow generation, subsequent rapid development, and eventual stabilization. The numerical simulation results revealed that in the initial stage of working face mining, the development of the plastic zone is limited, and there is minimal failure in the overlying strata; therefore, fractures are slowly produced without penetrating through the strata. When the plastic zone fully encompasses the entire main roof, it triggers severe shear failure in the overlying strata, resulting in rapid fracture propagation and penetration. Once the fracture height reaches a stable state, there is no further increase in the maximum vertical displacement of key strata, indicating the extensive collapse and compaction of the overburden as well as the stabilization of the fracture heights. A modified prediction equation for WCF in weakly cemented strata was obtained by correcting the traditional empirical formula based on field investigations. This modified prediction equation enhances the accuracy in predicting fracture heights and provides a theoretical reference to address the issue of the inaccurate prediction of the water-conducting fracture height in western mine rock strata.

Multi-parameter Inversion of Tunnels Based on Deep Learning Constraints

When tunnels traverse unfavorable geological formations, they often encounter the risk of sudden water-related incidents, posing a severe threat to the safety of construction workers and property. Consequently, there is an urgent demand for conducting research on the early detection of potential water-related disasters ahead of tunnel excavation. Among the various advanced exploration techniques, the DC resistivity method has proven to be more cost-effective and highly responsive to water-bearing structures, making it a prevalent choice for addressing sudden water hazards in real tunnel projects. This study introduces an innovative electrical approach underpinned by deep learning constraints, fusing resistivity and chargeability to pinpoint the location and size of underground water bodies. More specifically, we’ve designed a learning model rooted in the traditional U-Net convolutional network architecture, featuring a single encoder for feature extraction and a dual decoder for output. When compared to conventional linear inversion techniques and standalone parameter-based deep learning inversion methods, our proposed joint inversion approach exhibits superior performance.

Comprehensive exploration approach of coal mine water-conducting channels in urban environment: a case study in Xintai, China.

In the process of coal mining, prevention and control of water hazard is essential. It is the precondition for water hazard control to detect and determine the distribution of underground water-conducting channels. In urban environments, traditional methods such as active source seismic exploration and transient electromagnetic exploration commonly used in the field are difficult to carry out effectively due to various factors. In this paper, the microtremor survey method (MSM) and the opposing coils transient electromagnetic method (OCTEM) are adapted to conduct the surface exploration of the coal mine water-conducting channels in the urban environment. Combined with the detection results of the low-velocity area and the low-resistivity area, the distribution of water-conducting channels is preliminarily analyzed and determined, which is basically consistent with the drilling and coring results. It verifies the feasibility and accuracy of the comprehensive exploration method used in this paper.

A Prediction Model of Coal Seam Roof Water Abundance Based on PSO-GA-BP Neural Network

With the gradual increase of coal production capacity, the issue of water hazards in coal seam roofs is increasing in prominence. Accurate and effective prediction of the water content of the roof aquifer, based on limited hydrogeological data, is critical to the identification of the central area of prevention and control of coal seam roof water damage and the reduction of the incidence of such accidents in coal mines. In this paper, we establish a prediction model for the water abundance of the roof slab aquifer, using a PSO-GA-BP neural network. Our model is based on five key factors: aquifer thickness, permeability coefficient, core recovery, number of sandstone and mudstone interbedded layers, and fold fluctuation. The model integrates the genetic algorithm (GA) into the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, with the particle swarm optimization algorithm serving as the primary approach. It utilizes adaptive inertia weight and quadratic optimization of the weights and thresholds of the backpropagation neural network to minimize the output error threshold for the purpose of minimizing output errors. The prediction model is applied to hydrogeology and coal mine production for the first time. The model is trained using 100 data samples collected by the Surfer 13 software. These samples help to accurately predict the unit inflow of water. The model is then compared with traditional forecasting methods such as FAHP, BP, and GA-BP neural network models to determine its efficiency. The study found that the PSO-GA-BP neural network model accurately predicts aquifer water abundance with higher precision. The root mean square error (RMSE) of the test set is determined to be 8.7 × 10−4, and the fitting result is measured at 0.9999, indicating minimal error with actual values of the sample. According to the prediction results of the test set, the water abundance capacity of the No. 7 coal mine in Hami Danan Lake is divided, and it is found that the overall difference between the results and the actual value is small, which verifies the reliability of the model. According to the results of the water abundance division, strong water abundance areas are mainly concentrated in the third-partition area. This study provides a new method for the prediction of aquifer water abundance, improves the prediction accuracy of aquifer water abundance, reduces the cost of coal mine production, and provides a scientific evaluation method and a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of water disasters in coal seam roofs.

Twenty-Year Spatiotemporal Variations of TWS over Mainland China Observed by GRACE and GRACE Follow-On Satellites

Terrestrial water storage (TWS) is a pivotal component of the global water cycle, profoundly impacting water resource management, hazard monitoring, and agriculture production. The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and its successor, the GRACE Follow-On (GFO), have furnished comprehensive monthly TWS data since April 2002. However, there are 35 months of missing data over the entire GRACE/GFO observational period. To address this gap, we developed an operational approach utilizing singular spectrum analysis and principal component analysis (SSA-PCA) to fill these missing data over mainland China. The algorithm was demonstrated with good performance in the Southwestern River Basin (SWB, correlation coefficient, CC: 0.71, RMSE: 6.27 cm), Yangtze River Basin (YTB, CC: 0.67, RMSE: 3.52 cm), and Songhua River Basin (SRB, CC: 0.66, RMSE: 7.63 cm). Leveraging two decades of continuous time-variable gravity data, we investigated the spatiotemporal variations in TWS across ten major Chinese basins. According to the results of GRACE/GFO, mainland China experienced an average annual TWS decline of 0.32 ± 0.06 cm, with the groundwater storage (GWS) decreasing by 0.54 ± 0.10 cm/yr. The most significant GWS depletion occurred in the Haihe River Basin (HRB) at −2.07 ± 0.10 cm/yr, significantly substantial (~1 cm/yr) depletions occurred in the Yellow River Basin (YRB), SRB, Huaihe River Basin (HHB), Liao-Luan River Basin (LRB), and Southwest River Basin (SWB), and moderate losses were recorded in the Northwest Basin (NWB, −0.34 ± 0.03 cm/yr) and Southeast River Basin (SEB, −0.24 ± 0.10 cm/yr). Furthermore, we identified that interannual TWS variations in ten basins of China were primarily driven by soil moisture water storage (SMS) anomalies, exhibiting consistently and relatively high correlations (CC > 0.60) and low root-mean-square errors (RMSE < 5 cm). Lastly, through the integration of GRACE/GFO and Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) data, we unraveled the contrasting water storage patterns between northern and southern China. Southern China experienced drought conditions, while northern China faced flooding during the 2020–2023 La Niña event, with the inverse pattern observed during the 2014–2016 El Niño event. This study fills in the missing data and quantifies water storage variations within mainland China, contributing to a deeper insight into climate change and its consequences on water resource management.

Microbiological hazards associated with the use of water in the post-harvest handling and processing operations of fresh and frozen fruits, vegetables and herbs (ffFVHs). Part1 (outbreak data analysis, literature review and stakeholder questionnaire).

The contamination of water used in post-harvest handling and processing operations of fresh and frozen fruit, vegetables and herbs (ffFVHs) is a global concern. The most relevant microbial hazards associated with this water are: Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., human pathogenic Escherichia coli and enteric viruses, which have been linked to multiple outbreaks associated with ffFVHs in the European Union (EU). Contamination (i.e. the accumulation of microbiological hazards) of the process water during post-harvest handling and processing operations is affected by several factors including: the type and contamination of the FVHs being processed, duration of the operation and transfer of microorganisms from the product to the water and vice versa, etc. For food business operators (FBOp), it is important to maintain the microbiological quality of the process water to assure the safety of ffFVHs. Good manufacturing practices (GMP) and good hygienic practices (GHP) related to a water management plan and the implementation of a water management system are critical to maintain the microbiological quality of the process water. Identified hygienic practices include technical maintenance of infrastructure, training of staff and cooling of post-harvest process water. Intervention strategies (e.g. use of water disinfection treatments and water replenishment) have been suggested to maintain the microbiological quality of process water. Chlorine-based disinfectants and peroxyacetic acid have been reported as common water disinfection treatments. However, given current practices in the EU, evidence of their efficacy under industrial conditions is only available for chlorine-based disinfectants. The use of water disinfection treatments must be undertaken following an appropriate water management strategy including validation, operational monitoring and verification. During operational monitoring, real-time information on process parameters related to the process and product, as well as the water and water disinfection treatment(s) are necessary. More specific guidance for FBOp on the validation, operational monitoring and verification is needed.

Hydrochemical characteristics and water quality assessment of natural water in the South China Mountains: the case in Lianzhou.

South China Mountain Region has a well-developed water system with the most abundant water in China. Untreated natural water is the main source of drinking water for the local people. This study aimed to investigate the hydrochemical characteristics and trace element concentrations of natural water in the mountainous regions of South China. In this study, 116 water samples were collected. Traditional hydrochemical methods, water quality index (WQI), hazard index (HI), and nutrient speciation of trace elements (NSTE) were used for analysis. In general, the hydrochemical type was mainly Ca-HCO3- type. The hydrochemical characteristics were mainly influenced by the weathering of calcite and silicate rocks. Overall total dissolved solids (TDS) were low, indicating mainly soft and very soft water. The water that met the standards for mineral water had an average concentration of 59.69mg/L for Sr (strontium) and an average concentration of 0.46mg/L for H2SiO3 (silicic acid). Although the water quality index (WQI) indicated that 91.3% of the water samples in the study area were of good quality (WQI < 25), 2.58% of the water samples had significant non-carcinogenic risk (HI > 1) due to the high As and Pb concentrations. The water in the study area contributed significantly to human intake of Sr, Cr, and V, accounting for 8.4, 8.3, and 7.7% of the required daily intake for adults, respectively. It is recommended that a comprehensive water quality evaluation system be constructed to ensure that mountain water is managed for development and safe to drink.

Diffusion mechanism of solid waste product utilization pulping and fracture network grouting

China's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 has highlighted the pressing need for effective solid waste recycling. The reinforcement of mine water hazards has led to increased production costs due to the significant consumption of slurry. This study focuses on the development of mine crack grouting sealing and reinforcement materials using mine slag powder and waste rubber particles, along with cement reinforcement and alkali slag stimulation. The impact of water-cement ratio, rubber particle content, and slag mass fraction on slurry performance is analyzed, and the optimal values for these parameters are determined. A two-phase seepage simulation using COMSOL is conducted to investigate the flow and diffusion of slurry in a fractured network rock mass. The findings indicate that a water-cement ratio of 0.7 and a slag and rubber particle mass fraction of 70% and 30% respectively result in the slurry with favorable fluidity and mechanical properties. The diffusion pattern of the slurry in the fractured rock mass is characterized by vortex-like diffusion. The stability of the fractured rock mass is influenced by both grouting time and pressure, which should be carefully considered during on-site operations. This research has significant implications for the integrated prevention and control of mine water hazards and the large-scale utilization of high-dosage solid waste, thereby ensuring production safety, ecological environment safety, and sustainable development in mining areas.

Distribution of Heavy Metals in Water and Bottom Sediments in the Basin of Lake Gusinoe (Russia): Ecological Risk Assessment

Fresh water scarcity is considered a significant component, and potentially one of the most critical, of global climate change. With the rapid development of industry, there is an increasing risk of freshwater contamination by heavy metals (HMs). The danger of HM pollution is also attributed to their accumulation, which can subsequently become a source of secondary pollution in aquatic environments. In the Lake Gusinoe basin, located in Russia, concentrations of HMs were measured in both water and bottom sediments within the lake area, as well as in inflowing and outflowing watercourses. Ecological risk indices were also calculated for the Gusinoe basin. Our results showed that the average concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cd, and Pb in the water did not exceed the maximum allowable concentrations (MACs) set by Russian national standards and WHO standards, while the concentrations of Mn and Cu exceeded the corresponding MACs during winter, spring, and autumn possibly due to decomposition of aquatic vegetation and influx from groundwater sources. The average concentrations of the investigated HMs in the BSs did not exceed the background values. The water hazard index indicated a low risk for all samples in the lake water area. For all BS samples, the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and the Pollution Load Index (PLI) indicated low pollution levels, while the values of the Enrichment Factor (EF) and the Contamination Factor (CF) indicated moderate pollution in the central part of the lake. The Ecological Risk Factor (Er) for Cu in BSs at points near major settlements and in the Tel River indicated moderate pollution. The Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI) in all investigated BS samples indicated a low risk of contamination.

Evaluation of drainage water quality for irrigation reuse in Kulfo and Hare irrigation command areas, southern Ethiopia

Abstract Water from agricultural drainage systems can be reused when its quality is good or blended with irrigation canal water to overcome the water shortage. The primary goal of this research was to determine the quality of surface drainage water in the Kulifo and Hare irrigation projects for irrigation reuse. Water quality was evaluated in situ and in the laboratory during the irrigation season of 2022. Turbidity, TDS, pH, EC, and DO were analyzed in the field using an Aqua meter. Fifty-seven water samples were collected and analyzed for the major cation (Na+, Ca2+, K+, and Mg2+) and anion (HCO3−, CO32−, Cl−, and SO42−). The result of the drainage water quality index study, according to the water quality index for irrigation purpose reuse, ranged from 47.84 to 84.89. This indicated that the suitability of drainage water reuse for irrigation purposes was categorized as ‘poor to very poor,’ except in Shara community-managed farms. Therefore, to avoid the impact on soil quality for crop production due to the hazard of poor agricultural drainage water for irrigation reuse in the study area, it needs to be treated before being reused for irrigation purposes, except at the Shara irrigation community-managed farm.

Variation characteristics of hydrological response to water conservancy construction in the Qinhe River Basin of the Loess Plateau, China

AbstractInvestigating the response characteristics of various hydrological factors to water conservancy projects area in basin and evaluating their impact on the ecological environment are crucial for ecological protection and restoration on the Loess Plateau, China, with a complex environment. In this study, we employed a geomorphology‐based hydrological model to simulate the hydrological elements of the Qinhe River Basin on the Loess Plateau. We explored the response characteristics of the water cycle and hydrological processes to the construction of reservoirs in the basin. Additionally, we also examined multiyear changes in peak flood volume and sediment discharge during flood seasons influenced by reservoirs. The sub‐basins hosting reservoirs initialled an increase in evaporation, followed by a decrease. During the change periods, both runoff and soil water decreased, but remained higher than the mean values for the basin during the same period. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index of sub‐basins associated with five reservoirs was obviously higher than the mean value for the basin during the same period. The peak flood volume and sediment discharge in the basin were characterized by decreasing trends, with the latter showing weak sustainability. The value of each index for a sub‐basin associated with a reservoir was higher than the average value for the basin. The construction and operation of reservoirs had a positive impact on the ecology of the basin. Water and soil conservation measures, including sediment regulation and storage using reservoirs, effectively decreased water hazard and soil erosion in the basin. This study provides a scientific basis for the construction of water conservancy projects and ecological governance in the basin.

Water-preserved coal mining in water-shortage mining areas: a case study in the Yonglong mining area of China

Abstract Water-preserved coal mining (WPCM) in water-shortage mining areas is an important aspect of water resources management. This paper aimed at the protection of Cretaceous groundwater resources during the high-intensity mining in the Yonglong mining area, China, and carried out basic theory and practical application of WPCM. The hydrogeological structure and engineering geological characteristics were investigated on-site. On-site detection and numerical simulation were used to study the dynamic evolution laws of overburden failure and water-conducting fractured zone (WCFZ), and the seepage laws of mining-induced overburden were analyzed by the rock triaxial seepage test. The results showed that it was feasible to carry out WPCM in the Yonglong mining area. From the view of reducing the height of WCFZ and preventing water hazards, the technical measures for WPCM were proposed. The research results can provide a theoretical basis and technical approach for WPCM in the water-shortage mining areas.

Glacier dynamics assessment in Eastern Dhauliganga basin (1994–2018), Kumaun Himalaya, India

AbstractThe glacier database provides an opportunity to track its dynamics and address issues linked with water resources, hazards and sustainability. To better understand the dynamics of Eastern Dhauliganga basin, we mapped the clean and debris‐covered glaciers by using satellite images from Landsat‐series and Sentinel 2. The band‐ratio based methods—NDSI (Normalised Difference Snow Index) and NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index) were used to map the clean ice glaciers. The debris‐covered glaciers were delineated using topographic parameters and thermal band of Landsat TM. The glacier extent and length change were monitored for 25 glaciers in the basin, of which 13 are clean ice and 12 are debris‐covered glaciers. During the time period from 1994 to 2018, higher area loss was observed for clean ice glaciers (±20.6%) compared with debris‐covered glaciers (±10.9%). The clean‐ice glaciers retreated at a rate of 4.8–33.7 m/year, whereas debris‐covered glaciers retreated at a rate of 2.9–28.8 m/year during 1994–2018.