WPŁYW DZIAŁALNOŚCI GÓRNICTWA WĘGLOWEGO NA KSZTAŁTOWANIE SIĘ ŚRODOWISKA WODNEGO GÓRNOŚLĄSKIEGO ZAGŁĘBIA WĘGLOWEGO W WIELOLECIU

Abstract

IMPACT OF COAL MINING ACTIVITY ON GROUND AND SURFACE WATERS ENVIRONMENT IN THE UPPER SILESIAN COAL BASIN IN THE MULTIYEAR PERIOD

Abstract. The Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) has diversified geological structure and hydrogeological conditions what influences variable inflows to the coal mines. Coal mining has been carried out at this area for several centuries and its activity strongly transforms the aquatic environment. Opencast exploitation conducted initially on a small scale did not influence considerably on groundwater regime. At the turn of the 18^th and 19^th century begun shallow, sublevel exploitation (70–100mbelow the surface), which caused drainage of the roof strata of Carboniferous and its overburden. Intensive development of the mining industry in the years 1901–1911, and the related construction of 25 new mines at depths of up to about 700 m, significantly transformed the natural hydrologic environment. After the Second World War specially intensive development of coal mining took place. Built 21 new mines reach depth up to 1200 m. Under the influence of mine drainage natural hydrodynamic and hydrochemic fields within the coal basin are transformed. Post-exploitation deformations of rock mass and surface area lead to changes in the hydrographic network and the formation of inundated areas. Discharged into the rivers highly mineralized and often radioactive mine waters lead to drastic modification of water quality and their biologic life. After 1989 begins the period of restructuring of coal mining and associated partial closure of mines leading to transformation of anthropogenically influenced hydrogeological environment.