ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Changes in Soil Physical and Chemical Properties
after a Coal Mine Subsidence Event in a Semi-Arid
Climate Region
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College of Geographical Science, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot 010022, China
Submission date: 2021-06-15
Final revision date: 2021-10-21
Acceptance date: 2021-10-22
Online publication date: 2022-02-23
Publication date: 2022-04-06
Corresponding author
Ruiping Zhou
College of Geographical Science, Inner Mongolia Normal University, China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2022;31(3):2329-2340
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ABSTRACT
This study describes the effects of coal mine collapse on soil physical and chemical properties in
the semi-arid Bulianta mining area of northwest China. Statistical analysis of soil data from 2006,
2012 and 2019 show systematic long term changes of soil physical and chemical properties in response
to a 2004 subsidence event. Results show that soil moisture content increased while soil bulk density
(SBD) decreased gradually with the passage of time. Samples from different years since the subsidence
event showed no significant difference in soil pH (P>0.05). The 0-5 cm soil layers showed the highest
organic matter levels but values decreased with soil depth. The average organic matter content of soils
in the subsided area increased with time since the subsidence event. Variation coefficients and average
rate of change for available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP) and available potassium (AK) all
decreased as contents tended to stabilize over time. Changes in soil physicochemical properties caused
by subsidence represent long term economic, social and environmental costs. The results from this
study demonstrate the benefits of early stage remediation or preemptive avoidance of risks posed by
mine construction. They also provide references for long term monitoring of soil quality and restoration
of mining areas.