Evaluating the characteristics of geological structures in karst groundwater inflow, Nowsud Tunnel

Highly permeable geological structures such as dissolution channels, open fractures, and faults create environmental challenges regard to hydrological and hydrogeological aspects of underground construction, often causing significant groundwater inflow during drilling due to the limitations of empirical and analytical methods. This study aims to identify the geological factors influencing water flow into the tunnel. High-flow zones' geological features have been identified and examined for this purpose. According to the geological complexity of the Nowsud tunnel, presence of different formations with different permeability and karstification have led to a high volume of underground inflow water (up to 4700 L/s) to the tunnel. The Nowsud tunnel faces significant geological and hydrogeological challenges due to its passage through the Ilam formation's LI2 unit, characterized by dissolution channels, faults, and fractures. The highest inflow rate (4700 L/s) occurred in the Hz-9 zone within the Zimkan anticline. The relationship between geological features and groundwater inflow indicates that anticlines are more susceptible to inflow than synclines. Additionally, different types of faults exhibit varying hydraulic effects, with strike-slip faults having the most significant impact on groundwater inflow, thrust faults conducting less water into the tunnel, and inflow through normal faults being negligible compared to the other two types of faults. The novelty of this paper lies in its detailed analysis of geological features influencing groundwater inflow into the Nowsud tunnel, providing empirical data on high-flow zones and differentiating the hydraulic effects of various fault types, which enhances the understanding and prediction of groundwater inflow in underground constructions.

Health risk assessment of heavy metal pollution in groundwater of a karst basin,SW China

To investigate the presence of metal elements and assess their health risk for the populace in the Nandong Underground River Basin(NURB),we conducted an analysis of eleven common heavy metals in the water body.A Health risk assessment(HRA)model was employed to analyze 84 water samples from the NURB.The detection results revealed the following order of heavy metals concentrations:Fe>Al>Mn>Zn>As>Cd>Pb>Cr>Ni>Cu>Hg.Correlation analysis indicated a certain similarity in material source and migration transformation among these eleven metal elements.Our study identified that the health risks for local residents exposed to metal elements in the water of NURB primarily stem from carcinogenic risk(10^(−6)–10^(−4)a^(−1))through the drinking water pathway.Moreover,the health risk of heavy metal exposure for children through drinking water was notably higher than for adults.The maximum health risks of Cr in both underground and surface water exceeded the recommendation standard(5.0×10^(−5)a^(−1))from ICRP,surpassing the values recommended by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency,the Dutch Ministry of Construction and Environment and the British Royal Society(5.0×10^(−6)a^(−1)).The results of the health risk assessment indicate that Cr in the water of NURB is the primary source of carcinogenic risk for local residents,followed by Cd and As.Consequently,it is imperative to control these three carcinogenic metals when the water was used as drinking water resource.

Formation process of cover collapse sinkholes related to groundwater level decline in karst areas

The decline in groundwater level is a key factor contributing to cover collapse in karst areas.In this study,the model tests and numerical simulations are conducted to reveal the breeding process and formation mechanism of cover collapse sinkholes caused by the decline of groundwater level in karst area.Firstly,the model tests confirm that the decline of groundwater level generates negative pressure at the lower edge of overlying soil.The negative pressure experiences four distinct phases during the groundwater drawdown process:rapid rise,slow decline,rapid decline,and gradual dissipation.The maximum negative pressure is influenced by the particle size distribution of the overlying soil.Then,the numerical simulations are carried out to investigate the change process of negative pressure caused by the loss of fillers in karst pipe.The simulated results indicate that the rate of groundwater decline and the thickness and initial void ratio of the overlying soil can affect the maximum negative pressure.As groundwater level drops,a negative pressure zone forms underground,causing tensile failure in the surrounding soil and creating an arched soil hole,which weakens the support for the overlying soil.This phenomenon can also lead to the collapse of the overlying soil under its self-weight.Groundwater table decline in karst areas can result in both internal and surface collapses.When the overlying soil is thin,internal and surface collapses occur simultaneously.In contrast,for thick overlying soil,internal collapse happens first,followed by a layer-by-layer collapse,ultimately forming sinkholes.Finally,the breeding process and formation mechanism of the Yujiawan Reservoir sinkholes are discussed.Geological conditions and groundwater level decline significantly affect internal collapse in karst areas,requiring careful consideration from on-site engineers.

Application of hydrochemistry and strontium isotope for understanding the hydrochemical characteristics and genesis of strontium-rich groundwater in karst area,Gongcheng County,Southwest China

Understanding the hydrochemical characteristics and genesis mechanisms of strontium-rich groundwater is pivotal for supporting the exploitation and utilization of natural strontium-rich groundwater.In this research,27 groundwater samples were collected.By analyzing major ion chemistry and strontium isotope data,and considering the hydrogeological context,various analytical approaches,including multivariate statistics,ion ratios,and isotopes,were used to reveal the characteristics and genesis mechanisms of strontium-rich groundwater in the study area.The findings indicate that the predominant hydrochemical type of groundwater is HCO_(3)-Ca,with Ca^(2+)and HCO_(3)^(-)as the primary cations and anions.The hydrochemistry of the strontium-rich groundwater is predominantly influenced by rock weathering processes.A combination of factors,including ion exchange,and anthropogenic activities,shapes the compositional characteristics of the groundwater in the region.The dissolution of calcite due to weathering emerges as the principal source of strontium in the groundwater.While ion exchange processes are not conducive to strontium enrichment in groundwater,their effect is relatively limited.The impact of human activities on the groundwater is minor.

Quantitative Evaluation of Heavy Metal Pollution and Its Influencing Factors in Water Bodies of Karst Areas

At present, there is relatively little research on the synergistic effects of heavy metals in soil, sediment, and bedrock on heavy metal pollution in water bodies. In this paper, heavy metals in soil, sediment, bedrock, and water of a typical karst watershed in southwest China were investigated. The results indicated that the average values of heavy metals in soil and sediment were relatively higher than those in bedrock except for Ni and As. During the research period, As and Cd were the main heavy metal elements polluting the soil and sediment in the study area, while water bodies were mainly polluted by Ni, As, and Cd. The pollution assessment indicated that there were instances of poor or very poor water quality in the study area during the study period;the soil as a whole was slightly polluted by Cd and As;sediment was subject to moderate Cd pollution and mild As pollution. Analysis of geochemical form for heavy metals showed that heavy metals in soil and sediment were mainly in residual form, and the proportions of exchangeable As and Cd were relatively high. Multiple statistical analysis showed that heavy metals in sediment, soil, and bedrock explained 23.8%, 16.8%, and 16.2% of the changes in heavy metals of water, respectively. The research results can provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of heavy metal pollution in water bodies.

Bimetallic Single‑Atom Catalysts for Water Splitting

Green hydrogen from water splitting has emerged as a critical energy vector with the potential to spearhead the global transition to a fossil fuel-independent society.The field of catalysis has been revolutionized by single-atom catalysts(SACs),which exhibit unique and intricate interactions between atomically dispersed metal atoms and their supports.Recently,bimetallic SACs(bimSACs)have garnered significant attention for leveraging the synergistic functions of two metal ions coordinated on appropriately designed supports.BimSACs offer an avenue for rich metal–metal and metal–support cooperativity,potentially addressing current limitations of SACs in effectively furnishing transformations which involve synchronous proton–electron exchanges,substrate activation with reversible redox cycles,simultaneous multi-electron transfer,regulation of spin states,tuning of electronic properties,and cyclic transition states with low activation energies.This review aims to encapsulate the growing advancements in bimSACs,with an emphasis on their pivotal role in hydrogen generation via water splitting.We subsequently delve into advanced experimental methodologies for the elaborate characterization of SACs,elucidate their electronic properties,and discuss their local coordination environment.Overall,we present comprehensive discussion on the deployment of bimSACs in both hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction,the two half-reactions of the water electrolysis process.

Assessment on the Water Resources Carrying Capacity in Karst Area Based on the Cosine Vector Included Angle

[Objective] The research aimed to assess the water resources carrying capacity in Guizhou Province based on the cosine vector included angle method. [Method] By using the cosine vector included angle method, the index weight was determined. The projection value of water resources carrying capacity in Guizhou Province was counted by using the multi-objective gray relational projection method. Moreover, the projection value which was counted by the index weight determined by the mean-variance method was as the control. [Result] The projection values which were obtained by two kinds of methods were very close, and the ordering result was consistent. [Conclusion] In the assessment of water resources carrying capacity, it was feasible to use the cosine vector included angle method to determine the index weight.

Geophysical Prospecting of Karst Water in Yunnan Province,China

由于岩溶发育的不均匀性，决定了岩溶水的埋藏分布也具有不均匀的特征，含水层富水性的空间差异极大。岩溶水的不均匀性给岩溶水勘查和开发工作带来了很大的困难，以至于裸露型岩溶石山区的供水勘探孔成井率仍然很低。要有效地发挥岩溶水资源的优势，合理有效地开发岩溶水资源，解决岩溶地区严重干旱缺水问题，关键是解决找水难的问题。要解决岩溶地区普遍存在的找水难题，

The influence of land use change on karst water quality of Shuicheng Basin in Guizhou Province

The influence of land use and land cover on ecological environment is a focus of global change research. The paper chooses an industrial city-Shuicheng in Guizhou Province-as a study area because the karst water quality around the city is deteriorating with land use and land cover change. The natural susceptibility of karst water system is an important factor leading to karst water pollution. But land use and land cover change is also a main factor according to the chemical analysis of karst water quality and land use change. So it is a good way to protect karst water through rational planning and managing of land use and land cover.

Groundwater Systems and Eco-hydrological Features in the Main Karst Regions of China

Different karst water features and related water resources are present both in southern and northern China. There are over 3,358 well-developed karst ground river systems with total discharges in the dry season of about 420×10^8 m^3 in the main karst regions in the southern part of China. Exploitation rates are only 8-15%. Over 100 larger karst spring systems in the main karst regions of northern China cover a catchment area from 500 km^2 to over 4,000 km^2, of which the average discharge appears to be from about 1 m^3/s to 13 m^3/s and the exploitation rates are 70-80%. Six aspects of the eco- hydrological features of some typical karst regions in China comprising water environment, ecological features, materials and structures between parent rock and soil, bio-geological processes and palynological studies （spore-pollen） are discussed. Qualitative evaluation of eco-geology and rocky desertification in the karst regions should be based on the main karst ecological conditions as well as artificial, i.e., man-made impacts.

Characteristics of Underground Water Flow at Different Water Levels in Tianshengan Karst Area, Yunnan, China

Three tracing tests from the same injection point executed at low, medium, and high water levels in the karst aquifer near Tianshengan village, Lunan Stone Forest, Yunnan Province, China, have revealed the basic properties of underground water flow. They showed the general directions of water flows; tracer concentrations were observed at six successive points allowing for the calculation of apparent dominant flow velocities at these sections towards the Dalongtan karst spring. For the high water level, the discharge between single sections was between two and 10 times greater than that at low water level. For the medium water level, the flow velocity at different sections was between 1.4 and 3.7 times faster than that at low water level; and for high water level, it was between 1.3 and 2.7 times faster than that at medium water level. The fastest water flow appeared at the first section （23 cm/s at medium water level）; and the slowest （0.6 cm/s at low water level） appeared where water flow must cross the Tianshengan fault （north-south direction）, and later, a layer of 20-30 m thickness of quartz sandstone and shale clay-stones. It was also possible to calculate the recovery of the tracer for point 4, Dakenyan, where discharge was measured. At the medium water level, 50% of the injected tracer was detected a half-day after its first appearance and at low water level after more than 3 days. The previously published research illustrates the transport velocities of possible contaminants and their solubilities in water at different hydrological conditions.

Groundwater resources in karst area in Southern China and sustainable utilization pattern

Occurrence conditions of groundwater in southern karst area are complicated. The water-bearing media in the karst have multiplicity, and the groundwater is hosted in holes, gaps, seams, pipes and caves. The karst water shows heterogeneity where fast and slow flow coexist, and the Darcy and non-Darcy flow coexist, and the liquid flow, the gas flow and solid flow coexist. The evaluation and investigation indicates that the mineable resource of karst groundwater is about 53.44 billion m^3/y, and the current exploitation quantity is merely 6.565 billion m^3/year. The exploitation and utilization potential is gigantic. In the region there are altogether 2 763 karst subterranean rivers with a total length of 12 687 km. The dry season runoff volume equals to 47 billion m^3/year. At present the exploitation is only 10%. Four effective utilization models of karst groundwater resources have been put forward.(1) The karst hills-depression zone formed the surface-underground united reservoir. By digging tunnels, water diversion irrigation and generating electricity, the ecological economy is developed.(2) In the deep-cut peak cluster depression area, by using the high-part Epikarst spring and constructing the regulation and storage water tank, the stereo ecological agriculture is developed.(3) In the karst peak forest plain and hilly-gully area, the pump-type underground regulating reservoir is constructed and the water-saving ecological agriculture is strengthened.(4) In the fault basin region with the surrounding groundwater runoff belting beam backwater, the water resources are jointly controlled to develop a fruit crop base within the basin.

Catastrophe theory-based risk evaluation model for water and mud inrush and its application in karst tunnels

This paper presents a risk evaluation model of water and mud inrush for tunnel excavation in karst areas.The factors affecting the probabilities of water and mud inrush in karst tunnels are investigated to define the dangerousness of this geological disaster.The losses that are caused by water and mud inrush are taken into consideration to account for its harmfulness.Then a risk evaluation model based on the dangerousness-harmfulness evaluation indicator system is constructed,which is more convincing in comparison with the traditional methods.The catastrophe theory is used to evaluate the risk level of water and mud inrush and it has great advantage in handling problems involving discontinuous catastrophe processes.To validate the proposed approach,the Qiyueshan tunnel of Yichang-Wanzhou Railway is taken as an example in which four target segments are evaluated using the risk evaluation model.Finally,the evaluation results are compared with the excavation data,which shows that the risk levels predicted by the proposed approach are in good agreements with that observed in engineering.In conclusion,the catastrophe theory-based risk evaluation model is an efficient and effective approach for water and mud inrush in karst tunnels.

Movement characteristics of Karst water in a deep mining area

In order to study the movement characteristics of groundwater in a deep mining area and solve the dispute of the distri- bution rule of hydro-chemical zoning which is contradicted by lixiviation water zoning in a horizontal direction, we directed our attention to the source of deep groundwater, its seepage and hydro-chemical characteristics in a typical mining area. We used a neotectonic water-control theory, chemical and isotope methods, as well as a method for analyzing dynamic groundwater conditions. The results indicate that 1) Karst water in the deep and medium parts of this mining area is recharged by vertical leakage through neotectonic fractures rather than seepage along strata from subcrop parts or surrounding flows; 2) from surface to deep leakage paths, the variation in the types of chemical groundwater agrees with the normal lixiviation water distribution rule and the age of mixed groundwater increases; 3) the water-rich zones along neotectonic fractures correspond with water-diluted zones in a hori-zontal direction; 4) the leakage coefficient and water capacity of aquifers increases during the flow process of Karst water along the antidip direction (from west to east) and 5) Karst water in shallow mining areas forms a strong runoff belt along strikes and quickly dilutes the water from deep and medium mining areas. Overall, chemical and dynamic water characteristics actually agree with in terms of the entire consideration for differences in vertical leakage and abnormalities in the zone of water chemical distribution, along a horizontal runoff direction.

Detection and treatment of water inflow in karst tunnel：A case study in Daba tunnel

In a karst tunnel, fissures or cracks that are filled with weathered materials are a type of potential water outlet as they are easily triggered and converted into groundwater outlets under the influence of high groundwater pressure. A terrible water inrush caused by potential water outlets can seriously hinder the project construction. Potential water outlets and water sources that surrounding the tunnel must be detected before water inflow can be treated. This paper provides a successful case of the detection and treatment of water inflow in a karst tunnel and proposes a potential water outlet detection(PWOD) method in which heavy rainfall(>50 mm/d) is considered a trigger for a potential water outlet. The Daba tunnel located in Hunan province, China, has been constructed in a karst stratum where the rock mass has been weathered intensely by the influence of two faults. Heavy rain triggered some potential water outlets, causing a serious water inrush. The PWOD method was applied in this project for the treatment of water inflow, and six potential water outlets in total were identified through three heavy rains. Meanwhile, a geophysical prospecting technique was also used to detect water sources. The connections between water outlets and water sources were identified with a 3-D graphic that included all of them. According to the distribution of water outlets and water sources, the detection area was divided into three sections and separately treated by curtain grouting.

Super-absorbent swellable polymer as grouting material for treatment of karst water inrush

Grouting is the most commonly used method to control water inrush in underground engineering.Traditional cement-based materials are easy to dilute and hard to coagulate under the influence of large flow and high-velocity water inrush.To address these deficiencies,a new type of polymer grouting material with an excellent expansion ratio was synthesised.The material quickly absorbs water and has an expansion ratio of 1:300.The material is composed of a superabsorbent polymer(SAP),glycerol,and ethanol.The effects of water quality on the expansion ratio and expansion rate of the material were examined,and the best solid–liquid ratio for the slurry was determined by fluidity measurements.A karst specially designed pipeline water inrush test device showed that 800 g of SAP can achieve 0.6 m/s water flow blockage in the smooth pipeline,demonstrating that the ability of the SAP slurry to block water inrush is superior to those of other materials.This study provides a reference for water inrush plugging,and has important implications for the reduction and control of karst pipeline-type water inrush disasters,ensuring the safety of construction sites and preventing loss of life and damage to property.

Characteristics of Oil Contamination and Numerical Modelling of Its Transport in Fracture-Karst Water in Zibo City,China

In this paper, the hydraulic characteristics of the fracture-karst aquifer and the distribution patterns of petrochemical contaminants are studied. Then, a numerical model using the mixed Eulerian-Lagrangian approach is constructed to predict the distribution and transport of petrochemical compounds in groundwater. The results of numerical modelling and sensitivity analysis show that it may be a workable way for aquifer remediation to combine contamination sources control and capture zone establishment.

Identifying the Sources of Solutes in Karst Groundwater in Chongqing,China:a Combined Sulfate and Strontium Isotope Approach

Groundwater from karst subterranean streams is among the world＇s most important sources of drinking water supplies, and the hydrochemical characteristics of karst water are impacted by both natural environment and people. Therefore, the study of hydrochemistry and its solutes＇ sources is very important to ensure the normal function of life support systems. In this paper, thirty-five representative karst groundwater samples were collected from different aquifers （limestone and dolomite） and various land use types in Chongqing to trace the sources of solutes and relative hydrochemical processes. Hydrogeochemical types of karst groundwater in Chongqing were mainly of the Ca-HCO3 type or Ca （Mg）-HCO3 type. However, some hydrochemical types of karst groundwater were the K＋Na＋Ca-SO4 type （G25 site） or Ca-HCO3＋SO4 type （G26 and G14 site）, indicating that the hydrochemistry of these sites might be strongly influenced by anthropogenic activities or unique geological characteristics. The dissolved Sr concentrations of the studied groundwater ranged from 0.57 to 15.06 ~tmmol/L, and the STSr/S6Sr varied from 0.70751 to 0.71627. The j34S-SO42- fell into a range of-6.8%o-21.5%o, with a mean value of 5.6%o. The variations of both 87Sr/S6Sr and Sr values of the groundwater samples indicated that the Sr element was controlled by the weathering of limestone, dolomite and silicate rock. However, the figure of STSr/S6Sr vs. Sr2＋/[K＋＋Na＋] showed that the anthropogenic inputs also obviously contributed to the Sr contents. For tracing the detailed anthropogenic effects, we traced the sources of solutes collected karst groundwater samples in Chongqing according to the j34S value of potential sulfate sources. The variations of both j34S and 1/ SO42- values of the groundwater samples indicated that the atmospheric acid deposition （AAD）, dissolution of gypsum （GD）, oxidation of sulfide mineral （OS） or anthropogenic inputs （SF： sewage or fertilizer） have contributed to solutes in karst groundwater. The influence of oxidation of sulfide mineral, atmospheric acid deposit and anthropogenic inputs to groundwater in Chongqing karst areas was much widespread.

Groundwater quality and land use change in a typical karst agricultural region:a case study of Xiaojiang watershed,Yunnan

Taking the typical karst agricultural region, Xiaojiang watershed in Luxi of Yurman Province as a research unit, utilizing the groundwater quality data in 1982 and 2004, the aerial photos in 1982 and TM images in 2004, supported by the GIS, we probe into the law and the reason of its space-time change of the groundwater quality over the past 22 years in the paper. The results show： （1） There were obvious temporal and spatial changes of groundwater quality during the past 22 years. （2） Concentrations of NH4^＋, SO4^2- , NO3, NO2^-, Cl^- and the pH value, total hardness, total alkalinity increased significantly, in which NH4^2-, NO3, and NO2^- of groundwater exceeded the drinking water standards as a result of non-point pollution caused by the expansion of cultivated land and mass use of the fertilizer and pesticide. （3） Oppositely, Ca^2＋ and HCO3^- showed an obvious decline trend due to forest reduction and degradation and stony desertification. Meantime, there was a dynamic relation between the groundwater quality change and the land use change.

Study on the characteristics and causes of carbon tetrachloride pollution of karst water in eastern suburbs of Jinan

By comparing the testing data of the hydrochemistry components and organic pollution of karst water sample in Jinan with large amount of historical data, the author finds the long-existing problem of carbon tetrachloride pollution and the great change of hydrochemical characteristics of karst water in eastern suburbs of Jinan. Since karst water is the main water-supply source in eastern suburbs of Jinan, these problems have greatly affected the safety of water supply. Based on the analysis of hydrogeological condition in eastern suburbs of Jinan, this thesis discusses the causes of carbon tetrachloride pollution and hydrochemical variation with hydrogeochemical theories so as to protect the precious karst groundwater and Jinan spring water. It is found that through research and analysis that there are mainly two causes of carbon tetrachloride pollution and hydrochemical variation: the vulnerability of karst water in this area; the other being the serious pollution in this area caused by remaining pollution sources of the last century.