Investigating the Stream Network Changes and Landslide Processes in Open Coal Mining Areas Using Remote Sensing Methods

Abstract

The paper presents integrated database created using the riverbed of the Kutinska River), and steep unstable as input information ground-based and remote sensing data for technogenic slopes were formed. The third stage begins after studying the changes of the stream network and the development coal mining's termination. During this stage a recultivation of of landslide processes in open coal mining areas. Remote sensing the investigated territory is performed which is still incomplete. methods and GIS technologies make it possible to identify the It is characterized by the development of periodic landslide areas with strongest manifestation of landslide processes and processes generating numerous geoecological problems. determine their spatial parameters. The advantage here is thatThe created database for the investigated processes may be of the analysis is performed on an integrated basis, and not use in landscape planning, for the needs of sustainable regional separately for the particular landscape components. development, or to the local self-governing bodies. The changes of the stream network and landslide processes over a 65-year period (1940-2006) on the territories of the land of Novi Iskur, Sofia Municipality, affected by coal mining were INTRODUCTION investigated. The development of coal mining arouses a number As a result of antropogenization and the opencast of geoecological problems, contributes to the intensification of extraction of coals the nature balance is disturbed in many erosion and landslide processes in the area and has negative b m .impact on the Kutina Pyramids natural landmark located in its regions, affected by minmsg activities. These give rlse to a immediate vicinity.number of ecological problems, which affect human life bothThe thematic database created for the purpose includes directly and indirectly. An integrated GIS is created using as archive panchromatic aerial photographs and high spatial input information ground-based and remote sensing data for resolution satellite images for various years (prior to, during, studying the changes of the stream network and the and after the exploitation period), large-scale topographic maps, development of landslide processes. The created database is data from terrain studies and GPS measurements, photos, aimed at processing and retrieval of information from aerial climatic and geologic data, and other types of information. To photos and satellite images with high spatial resolution. reveal the changes in the stream network and landslide processes Remote sensing methods and GIS technologies make it in the open coal mining areas, remote sensing methods in conjunction with geomorphologic and cartographic methods possibletodentify the areastwith strongest anifestatonrof were used. Computer-aided visual deciphering and landslide processes and determine their spatial parameters. interpretation of the high spatial resolution aerial photographs The advantage here is that the analysis is performed on an and satellite images for the aforementioned ye...

Monitoring the mining effect at drainage basin level using geoinformation technologies

“…The examined territory has not been subject to detailed study and monitoring of the anthropogenic impact of the mining industry on land cover and relief. Its large-scale and detailed study started in 2005 under a scientific-research project under the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science [17][18][19][20] and [21]. As a result of the physico-geographic assessment of the territory, the following major problems were identified, resulting from the intensive anthropogenic activity carried out during the recent years:…”

“…The relief has been seriously affected by the extraction of lignite coal and the hydrographic network has been significantly changed. During the first period, the hydrographic network was formed in a natural way and no development of landslide processes or availability of natural or artificial lakes was observed [18]. During the second period, dynamic changes in the configuration of the hydrographic network were recorded, one of them being the correction of the riverbed of the Kutina River ( Figure 10).…”

“…During the second period, dynamic changes in the configuration of the hydrographic network were recorded, one of them being the correction of the riverbed of the Kutina River ( Figure 10). Steep unstable technogenic slopes were formed and a great number of technogenic lakes appeared [18]. Nowadays, landslide processes may be witnessed on the territory and the hydrographic network is entirely transformed (Figure 10).…”

“…Nowadays, landslide processes may be witnessed on the territory and the hydrographic network is entirely transformed (Figure 10). The active manifestation of landslide processes in the region is typical for the period following lignite coal mining; they are further enhanced by the incomplete technical reclamation [18]. Landslides cover 14% of the territory of the test sites.…”

A study on monitoring land use/cover change of mining area based on ticket-voting SVM classification

“…For example, Nuray Demirel et al [2] extracted land-use change information of a surface mining site in Turkey by using postclassification technique based on Support Vector Machine. Naydenova et al [3] presented a detecting procedure including nine major steps for direct mapping of the landslides and other mass movement. Brom et al [4] evaluated the changes in vegetation cover, surface moisture and surface temperature in the region of a brown coal waste dump over a period of 25 years from 1984 to 2009 by utilizing NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), NDMI (Normalized Difference Moisture Index) and thermal band from a time series of Landsat images.…”