Observations and analysis of groundwater change in Shendong mining area

The long-term observation data, from over 200 boreholes in Shendong mining area about 1500 km², have been used for understanding the mining influence on groundwater system by the super-large mechanized face, characteristics with intensive coal mining in west China. It focuses on the relationship between the groundwater flow field and the spatial distribution of bed rock and aquifers. Results show that the super-large face has induced groundwater "convergence zone" and indicate the significant influence on the groundwater system in the area of thin bed rock and thin aquifer. Statistics reveals about 30% of water loss occurred in area with stable and thick aquifer after mining in the study area, after then the groundwater system has been gradually stabilized. The research is helpful to the scientific prediction of underground water supply and stored volume, for underground reservoir engineering and management.