Publication Date:
2002-01-01
Description:
The strata within and above the South Nottinghamshire Coalfield dip gently towards the east. There are many abandoned shallow workings in the western area where the coalfield is exposed, but to the east the coalfield is concealed beneath Permo-Triassic strata. The coalfield has yet to suffer closure, mine water rebound and the acid mine drainage (AMD) cycle. A very large area has been exploited with complicated internal drainage systems dependent on the maintenance of existing pumping regimes. An evaluation of the AMD threat has been carried out with particular regard to the risk posed to the Sherwood Sandstone aquifer, which overlies the concealed part of the South Nottinghamshire Coalfield. The evaluation has been assisted by three-dimensional (3-D) visualization that has enabled lumping of plentiful mine abandonment data, and predictive runs using the University of Newcastle GRAM model. These studies indicate that the critical spill-over elevation is 41 m above Ordnance datum (aOD), and that the aquifer will be at risk about 20 years after pumping ceases from the Coal Measures.
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