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Tracing Sulfate Source and Transformation in the Groundwater of the Linhuan Coal Mining Area, Huaibei Coalfield, China

Author

Listed:
  • Lili Cheng

    (Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China)

  • Chunlu Jiang

    (Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China)

  • Chang Li

    (Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China)

  • Liugen Zheng

    (Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China)

Abstract

Mining activities cause surface sulfate enrichment, which has negative impacts on human health and ecosystems. These high concentrations of sulfate may enter groundwater through the unsaturated zone (UZ), threatening groundwater quality. Therefore, we combined hydrochemical and dual isotopic analyses of sulfate in surface water, soil water and groundwater with evaluations of the UZ to identify the groundwater sulfate source and transformation in the coal mining area. Soil profile samples were collected near gangue heaps (UZ−1, UZ−2) and the mean sulfate concentrations of the UZ−1 profile and UZ−2 profile were 35.4 mg/L and 69.63 mg/L, respectively. The shallow groundwater sulfate was mainly from dissolution of evaporite, sulfide oxidation and sewage. Different sulfate contaminated areas showed different characteristics of sulfate sources. The sulfate source to groundwater near the coal gangue heaps was sulfide oxidation. The groundwater sulfate near the gangue heaps and industrial park compound contamination area was mainly derived from industrial and domestic sewage and sulfide oxidation. In addition, the role of bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR) in the groundwater was not obvious. This research result is of great significance for promoting the safe mining of coal resources and sustainable utilization of groundwater in the Huaibei coal mining area and other coal mining areas in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Lili Cheng & Chunlu Jiang & Chang Li & Liugen Zheng, 2022. "Tracing Sulfate Source and Transformation in the Groundwater of the Linhuan Coal Mining Area, Huaibei Coalfield, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14434-:d:962936
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Huiwei Wang & Qianqian Zhang, 2019. "Research Advances in Identifying Sulfate Contamination Sources of Water Environment by Using Stable Isotopes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-13, May.
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