The Yushenfu mining area in China, located at the junction of the Mu Us Desert and the Loess Plateau, is an ecologically vulnerable region facing severe environmental challenges due to intensive coal mining activities. A recent study published in Scientific Reports outlines an innovative prediction method that aims to accurately assess the location and depth of surface cracks caused by mining, which pose significant threats to local ecosystems and communities.
Coal extraction in this region has been linked to numerous geological hazards, with mining-induced surface cracks emerging as the most pressing environmental issue. Researchers assert that these cracks can disrupt fragile ecosystems by accelerating water loss and contributing to soil degradation. As mining activities increase, understanding the mechanisms behind these cracks becomes critically important.
The study emphasizes the unique geological conditions of the Yushenfu mining area, characterized by soft soils comprising aeolian sand, loess, and red clay. These materials dramatically influence the dynamic processes that lead to crack formation. The research team utilized a mechanical model that incorporates horizontal deformation as a key parameter to develop an optimized formula for predicting surface cracks. "The optimized horizontal deformation formula has better performance compared with traditional calculations," noted the authors of the article.
Mining operations at the 112201 working face, from September 2018 to December 2019, provided essential case study data for this research. During this timeframe, the researchers recorded significant environmental changes due to coal extraction, leading them to identify the predictive triggers for surface crack formation. They categorized the subsidence process into distinct stages, recognizing that the active phase—where horizontal deformation is most pronounced—is crucial for crack development.
The researchers considered seasonal variations in rainfall to assess their impact on soil properties, highlighting that approximately 69% of the area's annual precipitation occurs between July and September. Such rainfall affects soil strength, which is integral to predicting when surface cracks might form. By effectively analyzing how horizontal deformation interacts with soil strength characteristics, the study provides a robust basis for predicting where and how deeply these surface cracks may develop.
Practical applications of this research indicate that the predicted surface cracks are expected to develop within ranges extending from 8.05 meters outside to 48.73 meters inside the mining roadway during non-rainy seasons, with depths ranging from 0.62 to 2.27 meters. In contrast, during the rainy season, predicted crack locations shift to between 14.82 meters outside and 50.16 meters inside, with depths from 0.39 to 1.68 meters.
This innovation allows for a more accurate anticipation of crack dynamics, which is essential for mitigating environmental damage and informing mining strategies in similar ecological settings. The established prediction model has been validated through field observations and is presented as a critical tool for addressing the pressing environmental challenges faced at Yushenfu. The authors conclude that this methodology serves as an effective approach for predicting the location and depth of mining-induced surface cracks in the region.
By employing such advanced predictions, there remains hope for balancing energy production needs with effective environmental stewardship in one of China's most sensitive ecological regions.
