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Applied Sciences
Volume 16
Issue 12
10.3390/app16125957
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Water-Conducting Fractured Zone and Phreatic Water Drawdown in Large-Scale Coal Mining of Desert Bottomland, Northern Shaanxi

by
Yu Liu
1,2,3,
Wenping Li
4,
Qimeng Liu
1,
Miaolin Xing
4,
Chongyan Liu
2,* and
Jingzhong Zhu
1
1
Key Laboratory of Universities in Anhui Province for Prevention of Mine Geological Disasters, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
2
Joint National-Local Engineering Research Centre for Safe and Precise Coal Mining, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
3
State Key Laboratory of Digital Intelligent Technology for Unmanned Coal Mining, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
4
School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(12), 5957; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16125957 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 11 April 2026 / Revised: 5 June 2026 / Accepted: 11 June 2026 / Published: 12 June 2026
Versions Notes

Abstract

The desert bottomland of Northern Shaanxi, China, features an ecologically fragile environment with a pronounced mismatch between abundant coal resources and scarce water resources. Large-scale coal mining often impairs the water-resisting capacity of overlying strata, leading to shallow groundwater depletion, surface drought, and vegetation degradation. This study focuses on determining the height of the water-conducting fractured zone (WCFZ) and assessing shallow groundwater loss in such ecologically sensitive mining areas. Through analysis of measured WCFZ heights, the empirical formulas currently specified in national codes are found to be inapplicable to the study area. A multi-factor nonlinear prediction model, better suited to local conditions, is therefore established using multiple nonlinear regressions. Taking the Jinjitan Coal Mine as a case study, a 3D hydrogeological conceptual model is developed using FEFLOW to simulate phreatic water responses to mining activities. The results indicate a maximum phreatic water drawdown of 3–4 m, with post-mining burial depths predominantly ranging from 5 to 8 m, reaching a warning level that requires attention and mitigation. This study provides a valuable reference for water hazard prevention and ecological protection in desert bottomland regions.
Keywords: desert bottomland; coal mining; water-conducting fractured zone; overburden; phreatic water; ecological environment desert bottomland; coal mining; water-conducting fractured zone; overburden; phreatic water; ecological environment

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Liu, Y.; Li, W.; Liu, Q.; Xing, M.; Liu, C.; Zhu, J. Water-Conducting Fractured Zone and Phreatic Water Drawdown in Large-Scale Coal Mining of Desert Bottomland, Northern Shaanxi. Appl. Sci. 2026, 16, 5957. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16125957

AMA Style

Liu Y, Li W, Liu Q, Xing M, Liu C, Zhu J. Water-Conducting Fractured Zone and Phreatic Water Drawdown in Large-Scale Coal Mining of Desert Bottomland, Northern Shaanxi. Applied Sciences. 2026; 16(12):5957. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16125957

Chicago/Turabian Style

Liu, Yu, Wenping Li, Qimeng Liu, Miaolin Xing, Chongyan Liu, and Jingzhong Zhu. 2026. "Water-Conducting Fractured Zone and Phreatic Water Drawdown in Large-Scale Coal Mining of Desert Bottomland, Northern Shaanxi" Applied Sciences 16, no. 12: 5957. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16125957

APA Style

Liu, Y., Li, W., Liu, Q., Xing, M., Liu, C., & Zhu, J. (2026). Water-Conducting Fractured Zone and Phreatic Water Drawdown in Large-Scale Coal Mining of Desert Bottomland, Northern Shaanxi. Applied Sciences, 16(12), 5957. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16125957

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