Effects of longwall mine subsidence on overlying aquifers in western Pennsylvania. Open file report 26 September 1979-25 January 1984

Technical Report · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:6437588

Pennington, D; Hill, J G; Burgdorf, G J; Price, D R

Ground Water levels and subsidence were monitored over a longwall panel of a deep coal mining operation located in western Pennsylvania. The monitoring network includes 11 ground water monitoring wells completed to measure water level changes in separate shallow and deep aquifer zones and 50-ft surveyed subsidence stations parallel and perpendicular to the panel centerline. Monthly monitoring data were collected during the premining, mining, and postmining time periods. Aquifer testing and borehole geophysical logging were conducted during premining and postmining conditions to document any changes in aquifer properties and ground water flow patterns. Results indicate ground water declines were located with respect to the mining face and mined longwall panel. Dewatering of the deep aquifer zone caused a significant water level decline in deep wells; however, the shallow aquifer zone was isolated from major impacts by an aquitardal layer during the 1-yr period. Transmissivity data were greatly impacted by fracturing in the highly anisotropic aquifer system. Borehole geophysical logging indicated changes in ground water flow patterns and zones of increased fracturing from subsidence.

• Research Organization: SMC Martin, Inc., Valley Forge, PA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6437588
• Report Number(s): PB-84-236710
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
012000 -- Coal
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Aquatic-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUIFERS
COAL MINING
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION III
FLOW RATE
GEOLOGY
GROUND SUBSIDENCE
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROLOGY
LONGWALL MINING
MAPS
MINING
MONITORING
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PENNSYLVANIA
REMOVAL
STRATIGRAPHY
UNDERGROUND MINING
USA
WATER
WATER QUALITY
WATER REMOVAL
WELL LOGGING