Effects of Underground Coal Mining on Soil Spatial Water Content Distribution and Plant Growth Type in Northwest China

Abstract

The impact of coal mining subsidence on surface ecology involves the influence of several ecological elements such as water, soil, and vegetation, which is systematic and complex. Given the unclear understanding of the synergistic change patterns of the water–soil–vegetation ecological elements in the influence of coal mining in the west, this paper investigates the impact of coal mining on the surface ecology, especially the distribution of soil water content (SWC). In 2020, this study collected 3000 soil samples from 60 sampling points (at depth of 0–10 m) and tested the SWC. All samples come from three different temporal and spatial areas of coal mining subsidence in the desert mining area of Northwest China where soil types are mainly aridisols. At the same time, the interactions among deep SWC and surface soil physical and chemical properties, surface SWC and soil fertility, and pH were analyzed. The spatial variability of soil moisture is reflected by kriging interpolation, and SWC values at different depths are predicted as a basis for monitoring the environmental impact of different coal mining subsidence years. The research has shown that the ground subsidence leads to a decrease in SWC value and changes in surface soil pH, physical and chemical properties, and covering vegetation, which have occurred from the beginning of coal mining. The impact of coal mining on the SWC of the unsaturated zone is mainly at the depth of 0–6 m, where SWC is not directly related to the nutrient content of the surface soil. The overall settlement of the ground will stir up simultaneous decline in the quality of deep SWC and topsoil. The findings of this investigation suggest that changes in the soil structure caused by coal mining subsidence are the key factor in SWC loss. Timely monitoring and repairing 0–6 m ground fissures, as well as selecting shrubs on the surface is the best choice for the restoration of the ecological environment and prevention of soil erosion in this area.

Influence of Different Mining Damage Types on Soil Erodibility in Coal Mining Areas of Northern Shaanxi in the Middle Reaches of the Yellow River in China

“…The obvious squeezing action and the development of small-width mining ground fissures have different effects on the mechanical composition characteristics, organic matter mass fraction, and soil erodibility of the shallow soil at the foot of the slope from those at the top and middle of the slope. Although, the movement and deformation at the foot of the slope, especially in the crack area, will also cause some damage to soil characteristics and vegetation, and then have a negative impact on soil erodibility [36]. However, small soil particles and organic matter lost at the top and middle of the slope tend to migrate to the foot of the slope in large quantities [37], so that the mechanical composition characteristics of the shallow soil at the foot of the slope before mining have not changed significantly, and the soil organic matter mass fraction and soil erodibility K values have improved locally, and greatly offset the negative effect of mining subsidence on the quality decline and erosion of the shallow soil at the foot of the slope.…”

Similarities and Proximity Symmetries for Decisions of Complex Valuation of Mining Resources in Anthropically Affected Areas

“…Logically, with the reduction of industrial activities, there should also have been a reduction in anthropogenic impacts. Although there have been closures of open pits, thermal power plants that use coal, coal preparation and ore flotation plants, mechanical mining plants, etc., we find from the research carried out that: (1) even the general process of closing, liquidation of these infrastructures has proven to be largely anthropogenic, damaging to the environment, and (2) closures for many of the inefficient mining infrastructures are still not funded and implemented [72].…”

Coal‐mining subsidence changed distribution of the microbiomes and their functional genes in a farmland

“…Many of the coal mines have varying degrees of land subsidence because of the raised groundwater and collapse of abandoned underground mine workings [2]. Coal-mining subsidence can cause loss of lives and properties, and trigger severe environmental pollution and imbalances of surface ecology [3,4], including the loss of soil water and nutrients (e.g., dissolved organic carbons, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and available phosphorus [AP]), and the destroyed soil structure (e.g., soil bulk density, pore size distribution, and clay and silt percentage) [5][6][7]. Coal mining subsidence also produces profound impact on agricultural productivity through altering local topography, soil properties, underground hydrology, and soil microorganisms [2,8].…”