Using the Magnetotelluric Method for Detecting Aquifer Failure Characteristics under High-Intensity Mining of Thick Coal Seams

Erhu Bai, Wenbing Guo, Dongsheng Zhang, Yi Tan, Mingjie Guo and Gaobo Zhao
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Erhu Bai: School of Energy Science and Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454003, China
Wenbing Guo: School of Energy Science and Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454003, China
Dongsheng Zhang: School of Mines, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Yi Tan: School of Energy Science and Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454003, China
Mingjie Guo: School of Energy Science and Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454003, China
Gaobo Zhao: School of Energy Science and Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454003, China

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 22, 1-14

Abstract: In the ecologically fragile mining area of northwest China, high-intensity mining has seriously affected the aquifer and surface eco-environment. In order to better implement water-preserved mining in ecologically fragile areas, the aquifer failure characteristics should be first detected accurately; therefore, it is necessary to find a convenient and fast detection method. Based on the analysis of the basic principles and influencing factors of the magnetotelluric (MT) method, the feasibility of using the MT method to detect aquifer failure is verified by testing the mined area with MT detection and field borehole measurement. Subsequently, the failure characteristics of overburden and unconsolidated aquifers under high-intensity mining are studied by MT detection and physical simulation. By comparing the physical simulation with the field measurement from the aspects of the maximum surface subsidence, interval of periodic weighting and step cracks, the reliability of the height of the water flowing fracture zone and caving zone obtained from physical simulation is verified. The analysis from MT detection and physical simulation shows that the results of the two methods are in accord with each other, which further confirms that the MT method can be used to detect the failure of overburdened structures and aquifers. The penetrating fractures are the main channel for the downward seepage of water resources, which is caused by the “two-zone” of overburden model and located in the “dimple” shape in the apparent resistivity (AR) isogram. It can provide a reference and technical support for the corresponding new water-preserved mining technology and the construction of digital mines.

Keywords: high-intensity mining; aquifer; magnetotelluric method; apparent resistivity; overburden failure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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