Quantifying spatial variability in mine water sources using hydrochemistry, stable isotopes, geophysical exploration and machine learning: implications for mine water security
摘要
Quantification of the spatial variability of mine water sources is imperative for ensuring the safety of mine production. However, accurately assessing the spatial variability of mine water sources remains challenging in areas with complex hydrogeological conditions. In this study, the XGBoost and MixSIAR models were used to accurately quantify and validate the source of mine water from the perspective of isotope and groundwater level dynamics. The results showed that differences in hydrogeological conditions and mining progress dominated the spatial variability of mine water sources. For the western part of the study area, the Jurassic Anding group fissure confined aquifer (J2a) had a better water abundance, and the water flow fracture zone penetrated through the aquitards to the Quaternary aquifer, which resulted in groundwater leakage from the overlying aquifer to the tunnels. For the central part of the study area, the water abundance of the Jurassic Zhiluo group fissure confined aquifer (J2z) was better, and the water flow fracture zone reached up to J2a and locally only to J2z, thus the contribution of the J2z to the mine water is significantly larger (70.2%). This study proposed a reliable framework that innovatively addressed the problem of accurately quantifying the spatial allocation of mine water contributions through an example application. This approach can be applied to global mining areas with complex hydrogeological conditions, thereby reducing the threat of water hazards in mining areas and maintaining regional groundwater security.