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Use of Time Series Analysis to Evaluate the Impacts of Underground Mining on Hydrological Properties of Dysart Woods, Ohio

Zhang, Qian
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1282225890

Abstract Details

2010, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Geological Sciences (Arts and Sciences).
Dysart Woods, an outdoor lab of Ohio University, is a 23-hectare old-growth forest in southeastern Ohio that has not been cut. The mineral rights underneath Dysart Woods are held by the Ohio Valley Coal Company (OVCC), which is conducting longwall mining room-and-pillar mining under the old-growth forest area, and longwall mining outside the buffer zone proposed by OVCC under the permit issued in 2001. This buffer zone has been defined using the angle of influence method, which is mainly used to protect from subsidence. However, it is not enough to protect the hydrogeologic properties of groundwater flow system. The purpose of this study is to understand and evaluate the impacts of subsurface mining at Dysart Woods on the upper most aquifers using a qualitative and quantitative approach. Time series analysis was applied to precipitation, hydraulic heads, barometric pressure, and Earth tides to compare the changes of pre-mining and post-mining conditions. Results of transient data analysis reveal higher permeability and hydraulic conductivity after mining, and a decrease in the storage capacity of the underground water flow system. Earth tide analysis also suggests that groundwater flow regime responds better to earth tides before mining than after mining conditions, which is probably due to the fractures of rocks and drainage in the system caused by mining activities. Estimation of hydrogeologic parameters indicate that the capacity of aquifers to hold water against gravity has decreased, which is probably caused by more fractures and drainage due to mining activities. The results suggest that in order to preserve the ecosystems that are relying on the groundwater flow system, more strict rules and regulations should be made. Combination of time series analysis and flow modeling may provide more useful information about the current and future hydrogeology of a region.
Dina Lopez (Advisor)
Dave Kidder (Committee Member)
Eung Seok Lee (Committee Member)
152 p.
Environmental Science; Geology
time series analysis; dysart woods; hydraulic heads; earth tides; groundwater flow system; coal mining

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Zhang, Q. (2010). Use of Time Series Analysis to Evaluate the Impacts of Underground Mining on Hydrological Properties of Dysart Woods, Ohio [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1282225890

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Zhang, Qian. Use of Time Series Analysis to Evaluate the Impacts of Underground Mining on Hydrological Properties of Dysart Woods, Ohio. 2010. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1282225890.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Zhang, Qian. "Use of Time Series Analysis to Evaluate the Impacts of Underground Mining on Hydrological Properties of Dysart Woods, Ohio." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1282225890

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1282225890
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© 2010, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.