Identification of inflow sources and pathways to a waste rock dump located in a former river channel in a mountainous abandoned mine of Japan: A case study 60 years post-construction

IF 5 2区地球科学 Q1 WATER RESOURCES

Journal of Hydrology-Regional Studies Pub Date : 2025-08-16 DOI:10.1016/j.ejrh.2025.102645

Shinji Matsumoto , Sereyroith Tum , Tagiru Ogino , Miu Nishikata , Tetsuo Yasutaka , Tomoko Oguri , Tsuyoshi Shintani

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Study region

A legacy underground mine located in a mountainous region of Hokkaido, northern Japan.

Study focus

The concentrations of dissolved ions and stable water isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) in surface water from surrounding rivers and groundwater near a waste rock dump (WD) were analyzed. Continuous water quality monitoring was performed using data loggers. Tracer tests using NaCl were also performed in the rivers. Time-series analysis and correlation studies elucidated the origins and pathways of water inflow to the WD.

New hydrological insights for the region

Water inflow into the WD predominantly originated from groundwater in the surrounding mountainous terrain and river water, serving as the primary contributors to mining-influenced water (MIW). The inflow volumes and MIW generation increased during precipitation events and snowmelt periods. These processes could have been influenced by the degradation of impermeable structures around the WD, emphasizing the need for continuous water quality monitoring and repair of these structures. This research highlights the necessity of long-term planning for WD management, considering regional climatic and topographic characteristics, to mitigate water pollution risks. It provides new insights into reducing environmental impacts and enhancing the sustainability of mining operations in mountainous regions. Moreover, this study demonstrates that a combination of hydrological approaches—water quality analysis, isotopic studies, and tracer tests—is a valuable tool for gathering critical information on MIW in mountainous mining regions.

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位于日本山区废弃矿山前河道的废石堆的流入来源和路径的确定：一个60年后建设的案例研究

研究区域位于日本北部北海道山区的一个遗留地下矿井。研究重点分析了某废石场附近河流地表水和地下水中溶解离子和稳定水同位素（δ¹⁸O和δ²H）的浓度。使用数据记录仪进行连续水质监测。用NaCl对河流进行了示踪试验。时间序列分析和相关研究阐明了西部来水的来源和途径。流入西部地区的水主要来自周围山地地形的地下水和河水，是采矿影响水（MIW）的主要来源。在降水事件和融雪期，入流量和MIW产生增加。这些过程可能受到WD周围不透水结构退化的影响，强调需要对这些结构进行持续的水质监测和修复。该研究强调了考虑区域气候和地形特征，对WD管理进行长期规划的必要性，以减轻水污染风险。它为减少对环境的影响和加强山区采矿作业的可持续性提供了新的见解。此外，本研究表明，结合水文方法——水质分析、同位素研究和示踪剂测试——是收集山区MIW关键信息的有价值的工具。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Hydrology-Regional Studies Earth and Planetary Sciences-Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)

CiteScore

6.70

自引率

8.50%

发文量

284

审稿时长

60 days

期刊介绍： Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies publishes original research papers enhancing the science of hydrology and aiming at region-specific problems, past and future conditions, analysis, review and solutions. The journal particularly welcomes research papers that deliver new insights into region-specific hydrological processes and responses to changing conditions, as well as contributions that incorporate interdisciplinarity and translational science.