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Groundwater Evolution and Hydrochemical Processes in Mining Environments

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Hydrogeology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2025 | Viewed by 287

Special Issue Editors

State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric and Environmental Coevolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Interests: hydrogeology; engineering geology; geological disasters; mining engineering; rock mechanics

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Guest Editor
College of Earth Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
Interests: engineering geology; hydrogeology; environmental geology
State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric and Environmental Coevolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Interests: engineering geology and hydrogeology; geological engineering; geological hazards

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, "Groundwater Evolution and Hydrochemical Processes in Mining Environments", is centered on examining the intricate dynamics of groundwater behavior and hydrochemical reactions within the context of mining activities. Its primary aim is to provide a detailed analysis of the impact that mining practices have on the activity of groundwater, as well as the subsequent safety and environmental implications. This Special Issue seeks to offer a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and potential mitigation strategies for water management within mining environments.

By scrutinizing the evolution of groundwater and associated hydrochemical processes, this Special Issue aims to inform professionals in hydrogeology, environmental science, and mining engineering about the latest research, methodologies, and strategies for mitigating the adverse effects of mining on groundwater systems. It serves as a crucial platform for disseminating knowledge and fostering dialogue on how to achieve more environmentally responsible and socially conscious mining operations. This Special Issue also explores the role of groundwater in the stability of mining operations, highlighting its significance for the safety of workers and the longevity of mining projects.

Furthermore, this Special Issue addresses the need for innovative approaches to monitor and manage groundwater resources in the face of increasing mining activities. The compilation of research in this Special Issue not only contributes to the scientific community's understanding of groundwater in mining environments but also serves as a guide for policymakers and industry professionals to make informed decisions that balance economic development with environmental stewardship.

Dr. Guang Li
Dr. Qinghai Deng
Dr. Jie Guo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • hydrogeology
  • mining engineering
  • hydrochemical processes

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 2718 KiB  
Article
Mining-Influenced Water from the Abandoned Hausham Colliery in Southern Germany—A Case of Unmonitored Natural Attenuation
by Sylke Hilberg, Nicola Yousefi and Thomas Rinder
Water 2025, 17(9), 1253; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17091253 - 23 Apr 2025
Viewed by 179
Abstract
Coal mining in Upper Bavaria ended in the 1960s and the mines were flooded. This study investigates the mining-influenced water and its environmental implications in the Hausham Mine, one of many unmonitored coal mines in the region and along the northern edge of [...] Read more.
Coal mining in Upper Bavaria ended in the 1960s and the mines were flooded. This study investigates the mining-influenced water and its environmental implications in the Hausham Mine, one of many unmonitored coal mines in the region and along the northern edge of the Molasse zone in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Water and solid samples were collected in the vicinity of the discharge area within a waste rock pile and downstream of a nearby lake. The samples were subjected to chemical and isotopic analysis, with a focus on the potential for natural attenuation. The mine waste discharge has high initial concentrations of calcium, sulfate, and iron, and elevated concentrations of nickel, zinc, and strontium. These element concentrations are significantly reduced along the flow path so that the water is environmentally safe for discharge into the Loidlsee. The reduced contaminant levels are related to the formation of secondary iron precipitates and associated sorption processes, the formation of secondary calcium carbonates, and mixing with another groundwater source. The results indicate that the carbonate-dominated sediments of the Molasse zone contribute substantially to the natural remediation of a potential environmental problem. Full article
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