Adverse effects of coal mine waste dumps on the environment and their management

Waste dumps generated from mining that exposes sulfur-bearing overburden can be active sources of acid generation with the potential to severely contaminate soils, surface and groundwater, and endanger both local and downstream ecosystems. A waste rock management strategy ensure that disposal of such material is inert or at least stable and contained, and minimizes the surface footprint of the wastes, and explores options for alternate uses. Reclamation of waste dumps is another or parallel alternative to decrease the potential for adverse effects. At the coal mining area of Karmozd in Iran, large volumes of wastes have been produced and disposed of without any specific care for the environment. In this paper, the impacts of waste dumps on the environment were identified and this was followed by a research program to determine the characteristics of the wastes, their acid generation potential, the availability of hazardous contaminants, and a prediction of their environmental impacts on the site. Data was collected from the target site and by comparing several reclamation alternatives using a Multi-Attribute Decision-Making technique, forestry was selected as the post-mining land use for the waste dumps. Preliminary evaluations indicated that Zelkava could be a useful tree species for this region.     

曹妃甸浅滩潮道保护意义及曹妃甸新老填海规划对比分析

曹妃甸填海工程是全国第一大填海工程,拟填海造陆310 km2,建设曹妃甸工业区。曹妃甸海区有曹妃甸外缘深槽和老龙沟深槽两大港口潜力区,建设曹妃甸工业区,使其充分发挥优良港口的作用是合理的。但填海面积过大,填挖土石方严重不平衡,尤其是通岛公路的建设阻断了曹妃甸浅滩潮道是曹妃甸老填海规划的主要缺陷。曹妃甸浅滩潮道是浅滩区的重要潮流通道,对维护老龙沟深槽港口潜力区和区域海洋环境有重要作用,不应被阻断而应当保留畅通。海洋专家们的呼吁对曹妃甸填海规划的修改起了重要作用。近来出台的曹妃甸新填海规划做了重大修改:准备再开通浅滩潮道,恢复北东东向的浅滩潮流系统;要在老龙沟附近修建一个大港池,使老龙沟深槽港口潜力区得到保护和利用;填挖土石方平衡有了明显改善;增加了岸线;减轻了对海洋环境的影响。但仍然存在某些需要进一步完善和推敲之处。津塘—曹妃甸地区是中国两大地面沉降区之一,应做好防止地面沉降、海洋灾害及地震灾害等隐患的准备。填海面积不宜过大,少填多察,多做海洋环境检测。填海要在海洋环境容量能够承受的情况下循序渐进地进行。     

Effects of intertidal reclamation on tides and potential environmental risks: a numerical study for the southern Yellow Sea

Intertidal (tidal flat) reclamation along the Chinese coastline, especially which is in Jiangsu Province, has increased markedly in recent years. However, the hydrodynamic disturbance and environmental impacts of this activity are not yet fully understood. In this study, a process-based depth-averaged model is used to evaluate quantitatively the possible impacts of intertidal reclamation for the southern Yellow Sea region. The simulation results show that reclamation of both inshore and offshore intertidal areas of ~1800 km² (according to the approved governmental reclamation scheme) would result in three remarkable changes in tidal patterns: enhanced M₂ and M₄ tidal amplitudes in coastal areas, strengthened negative tidal asymmetry in the southern region of the sand ridge system, and an enhanced tidal energy flux toward offshore through the main channels in the south. These changes would result in some negative impacts. The enhancement in local tidal amplitude could increase the probability of coastal hazards, and the offshore sediment transport tendency resulting from negative tidal asymmetry in the south could lead to severe erosion. The enhanced energy flux transported offshore may also affect far-field regions. On the other hand, alternative reclamation of ~400 km² of offshore intertidal area could significantly minimize hydrodynamic disturbances to the local tidal system. Offshore reclamation with lower environment impacts may be the future for coastal development. To cope with the potential environmental risks caused by reclamation, it is recommended to strengthen environmental impact assessment and overseeing of reclamation plans, and advance international cooperation in terms of coastal management. Our findings provide a reference for coastal management in countries with substantial areas of tidal flats.     

Engineering-geological and geotechnical investigation for risk assessment

Before construction activities could begin, engineering geological and geotechnical investigations had to be approved in order to establish a map with suitable areas for safe construction. The example used in this study is Tunis City which has complex geology and geomorphology. The risk analysis was based on a large-scale land-suitability map that was prepared using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The approach used in this study combined physical data with the geotechnical properties of Tunis City. The adopted methodology and analyses were performed to assess the risk of urban expansion and landscape management. Results are presented as a zoning map that shows the suitable area for safe extension of the urban area. The data used and multi-criterion analysis of geotechnical and geological data seems to be useful for similar case studies and the adopted methodology can be used successfully for identifying similar cities for risk assessment.     

Relationship in metastasis of coal fire and land use/cover using thermal imagery and support vector machine classifier

The objective of the present study was to delineate temporal and spatial changes in the coal fire and land use/cover within Bastacolla area of Jharia coal field. Studying this variation helped to decipher interconnection among the dynamics of the coal fire and concomitant changes in land use/cover. The detection of coal fires during a span of 14 years along with transitioning land use/cover was cost-effective and enabled planning for management of coal resources and environment. Landsat series of satellite data of 2002, 2009, 2013, and 2016 were processed for generating land surface temperature profiles vis-a-vis classified land use/cover of the study area. A single cut-off temperature was derived for mapping of coal fires using land surface temperature profile from 2002 to 2016. The satellite images were classified using support vector machines, and for depicting land use/cover change, post-classification change detection was done. Classification accuracy obtained was excellent with kappa coefficient ranging from 0.897 for classified image of 2002 to 0.799 for classified image of 2016. Results revealed that coal fires had shifted to the central west part of the area. Furthermore, pockets of coal fire from northern and eastern part of the study area have diminished. OB dumps and coal quarry/coal dump may be attributed towards the spatial change in coal fire while; OB dumps showed connotation with the highest temperature zones. Ground verifications for temperature profiles and coal fires were carried out using thermal camera which enunciated good agreement with results.     

Integrated analysis of SAR interferometric and geological data for investigating long-term reclamation settlement of Chek Lap Kok Airport,Hong Kong

We investigated the long-term reclamation settlement of Chek Lap Kok Airport, Hong Kong, one of the largest reclamation projects worldwide. An advanced InSAR technique was applied to two independent ASAR data sets along ascending (25 scenes) and descending (22 scenes) orbits acquired between 2003 and 2008, and allowed us to generate deformation velocity maps and displacement time series for the investigated area. Intercomparison of deformation velocity results from the two ASAR data sets and their validation against leveling survey measurements were carried out in order to assess accuracy and reliability of the InSAR observations. The intercomparison and validation results demonstrated the potential of elaborate InSAR processes on local-scale areas to monitor and detect a long-term residual settlement in such complex reclamation area. The InSAR-derived deformation velocity maps showed a fair stability in areas of the two original rocky islands of Chek Lap Kok and Lam Chau, and on most of the buildings at the site due to foundation on piles reaching the granite bedrock, whereas a generally moderate (3–7 mm/year) to strong (> 10 mm/year) and spatially variable settlement trend was detected in the majority of reclamation areas of the airport. The consistent relationship we found between the observed settlement pattern and the underlying geological conditions suggested that this recoded differential settlement was mainly related to the variations in thickness and soil properties of both the fill materials and the alluvial deposits below the reclamation. A geological and geotechnical interpretation of the lithostratigraphy of the alluvial deposits beneath the reclamation implied that the relatively large settlement rate measured up to 2008 was resulted from a still active primary consolidation process.     

重建植被视角下露天煤矿区土地复垦演替过程及管控模式研究

重建植被在能量交换与生态循环中发挥着重要作用,其动态变化可表征煤矿区生态系统受扰动和修复的广泛细节。从植被的不同扰动状态(未扰动状态、采煤扰动状态、复垦恢复状态和修复后状态)出发,分析了煤矿区重建植被演替的6种情景：高效恢复至成熟型、低效恢复至成熟型、高效恢复而后退化型、高效恢复发展型、低效恢复发展型与无效恢复型。通过模拟重建植被发展的阶段性特征,将煤矿区土地复垦全生命周期划分为：未复垦期、土地复垦发展期(复垦初期、快速发展期和稳定发展期)和成熟期。再对不同恢复阶段的重建植被分别设置判断标准,提出煤矿区土地复垦关键保护区域的识别思路,据此确立煤矿区土地复垦管控的4种修正模式：生态保育、生态管护、生态修复、生态重建。并以黄土高原山西平朔大型露天煤矿区为研究区开展应用分析,在学习掌握重建植被发展规律基础上,通过判断土地复垦模式与矿区生态系统演变机理的适应性水平,具体落实平朔露天煤矿复垦排土场集群区生态保育、生态管护、生态修复和生态重建等4大修正模式的具体管控措施。本研究归纳了露天煤矿区重建植被动态发展的演替规律,并据此提出加强土地复垦管控的修正模式,可为国家绿色矿山建设提供方法论基础。     

Mine Overburden Dump Failure: A Case Study

In any open cast mine, the management of stripped spoil during mining is crucial to the mine’s successful operation. The improper management of the overburden (OB) dump can result in stability issues which may affect safety and production of the mine. Various literatures have reported the failure of open pit dumps and the consequences in loss of life, production and impact on neighbouring amenities. Recently, the failure of an out-of-pit OB dump at an Indian Colliery was reported. The failed OB dump displaced spoil approximately 70 m from the original location of the dump toe and impacted on neighbouring amenities. This paper back analyse material properties and investigates the probable mechanism of this OB failure. Well established tools including limiting equilibrium and continuum numerical methods have been used to understand and identify the failure kinematics of this dump. It has been found that the residual friction angle of the material comprising the dump structural unit dominates stability. Mobilisation of residual strength can occur by operational induced strains and/or the presence of water. The shear strength of the foundation was fully mobilised and provided a slip surface for the overlying dump material. The resultant failure is manifest as a bilinear wedge movement of two ridged blocks defined by linear rupture planes.     

Understanding subsurface geological and geotechnical complexity at various scales in urban soils using a 3D model

The construction of a three-dimensional (3D) geological model to the scale of a city (greater Bordeaux area, France) has been undertaken, using several thousand boreholes and several hundred geotechnical tests on a more limited area. Data from some specific geographical areas have also been analysed for the purposes of professional applications related to geotechnical engineering, urban archaeology and asset management of buried networks. This paper focuses on the geotechnical dimensions, uncertainties and associated hazards. First, a geometrical model of the quaternary layer basis was built to the scale of the city, the variogram of which quantifies and models the anisotropic spatial correlation of this layer. Two specific studies were then made, as described in the following:

• modelling of the stratigraphy, to the scale of the city, in order to assess the depth and extent of the Flandrian formations. The thickness of these formations is directly linked to the staircase terraces of the Garonne river.

• on-site site analysis of an area where an infrastructure has suffered damage, resulting from large differential settlements, owing to its poor geotechnical properties. We show how geostatistical methods applied to in-situ or laboratory parameters can improve knowledge and understanding of the site, and can be useful in improving the settlement predictions which had been initially underestimated.

     

Optimization of concurrent mining and reclamation plans for single coal seam: a case study in northern Anhui, China

The extraction of underground ore body inevitably causes a large amount of land subsidence. Current reclamation technologies in China mainly focus on stable subsided land, which means most of the affected lands are submerged into water because of the high groundwater table in some areas, leading to the loss of soils and inefficient reclamation. Therefore, a new technology for reclaiming unstable subsiding land is being studied for restoring farmland as much as possible, based on a case study in northern Anhui, China. In consideration of the mining plan, subsidence processes in various stages were analyzed and some related factors such as vertical subsidence, post-mining slope, water area, and land use condition were also simulated. Due to mining activities, useful farmland has gradually decreased to merely 14.4 % of the pre-mining area. In this study, the following stages were modeled from pre-mining to post-mining: (1) percentage of farmland was 100 % in stage (a) (pre-mining), (2) 72.5 % in stage (b), (3) 67.3 % in stage (c), and (4) 14.4 % in stage (d) (post-mining). The results show that 86.6 % of cultivated land was submerged into water and lost its capacity for cultivation after coal mining. Reclamation plans for stages (b), (c), and (d) were made by a traditional reclamation method called “Digging Deep to Fill Shallow”. Based on scenario simulation of reclamation, the farmland reclamation percentages were improved to 78.3, 73.3, and 40.70 %, respectively. Taking the percentage of reclaimed farmland as the preferred standard, concurrent mining and reclamation for stage (b) and (c) could increase farmland reclamation percentages to 37.6 and 32.6 %, respectively, compared with the farmland reclamation percentage of post-mining [reclaiming the land in stage (d)]. The results reveal that optimum reclamation time should be at stage (b). Therefore, under current technical conditions, concurrent mining and reclamation could enhance the quantity of cultivated land and provide better land protection and food security in the mined areas with high groundwater table.     

Selenium attenuation via reductive precipitation in unsaturated waste rock as a control on groundwater impacts in the Idaho phosphate patch

Phosphate mining in southeastern Idaho has historically resulted in the release of dissolved metals and inorganics to groundwater and surface water, primarily due to leachate from waste rock in backfilled pits and overburden storage piles. Selenium (Se) is of particular concern due to its high concentration in leachate and its limited attenuation downgradient of source zones under oxic conditions. Assessments of potential groundwater/surface water impacts from waste rock typically involve laboratory characterization using saturated and unsaturated flow columns packed with waste rock. In this study, we compare the results of saturated and unsaturated column tests with groundwater quality data from the Mountain Fuel, Champ, South and Central Rasmussen Ridge Area (SCRRA), Smoky Canyon, Ballard, Henry, and Enoch Valley Mines, to understand the release and attenuation of Se in different geochemical environments. Column studies and field results demonstrate that the ratio of aqueous Se to aqueous sulfate (Se:SO₄ ratio) is a useful metric for understanding Se release and attenuation, where the extent of sulfate reduction is much less than Se reduction. Comparison of dissolved Se and sulfate results suggests that the net leachability of Se from unsaturated waste rock is variable. Overall, Se concentrations in groundwater directly beneath waste rock dumps is not as high as would be predicted from unsaturated columns. Lower Se:SO₄ ratios are observed immediately beneath waste rock dumps and backfilled pits relative to areas receiving shallow waste rock runoff. It is hypothesized that Se released in the oxic upper portions of the waste rock is subsequently attenuated via reductive precipitation at depth in unsaturated, low-oxygen portions of the waste rock. This highlights an important mechanism by which Se may be naturally attenuated within waste rock piles prior to discharge to groundwater and surface water. These results have important implications for mining practices in the region. A better understanding of Se dynamics can help drive waste rock management during active mining and capping/water management options during post-mining reclamation.     

Geotechnical mapping for alluvial fan deposits controlled by active faults: a case study in the Erzurum,NE Turkey

Erzurum, the biggest city of Eastern Anatolia Region in the Turkey, is located in Karasu Plain. Karasu Plain, located on the central segment of the Erzurum Fault Zone, is an intermountain sedimentary basin with a Miocene-Quaternary volcanic basement, andesitic-basaltic lava flows and fissure eruptions of basaltic lava. It was filled in the early Quaternary by lacustrine fan-delta deposits. The basin is characterized by NNE-SSW trending sinistral wrench faults on its eastern margin and ENE-WSW trending reverse faults on its southern margin. Both systems of active faults intersect very near to Erzurum, which is considered to be the most likely site for the epicenter of a probable future large earthquake. Historical records of destructive earthquakes, morphotectonic features formed by paleo-seismic events and instrument seismic data of region indicate to a very high regional seismicity. The residential areas of Erzurum are located on thick alluvial fan deposits forming under the control of faults on the central segment of the Erzurum Fault Zone, which is one of the most active fault belts of the East Anatolian Region. Over time, the housing estates of city such as Yenisehir and Yildizkent have been expanded toward to the west and southwest part of Erzurum as a consequence of rapid and massive construction during the last 30 years. Geotechnical investigation has therefore been undertaken the residential areas of city in order to characterize geotechnical properties over the varied lithologies examine the potential for geotechnical mapping and assess the foundation conditions of the present and future settlement areas. The geological field observations and operations have been performed to make the soil sampling and characterize the lateral and vertical changes in thickness of the alluvial deposits in trenches, excavations and deep holes with 6–12 m sections. The soil samples have been subjected to a series of tests under laboratory conditions to obtain physical and mechanical properties. Furthermore, the standard penetration tests have been applied to the soils under field conditions. The geological field observations, geotechnical data and distribution of bearing capacity have been considered for the geotechnical mapping. Based on the geotechnical map, there are five geotechnical zones distinguished in the study area.     

Geotechnical properties of Kuwaiti “gatch” and their improvement

Due to the difficulties experienced with the so-called gatch soils, the Ministry of Public Works of Kuwait engaged the services of the firm DORSCH, Consulting Engineers of Munich, Germany, to study the properties of gatch and to recommend methods to improve its suitability for road construction. An investigation program was agreed upon and selected samples were obtained from Kuwait.Prior to the geotechnical tests, mineralogical analyses were carried out. Surprisingly they found no trace in the samples of gypsum which was believed to cause damage to the highways built on gatch. The geotechnical tests performed indicated that the gatch soils were very sensitive to moisture and were therefore unsuitable as highway construction materials. However, their properties could be improved by various stabilization methods. It was found that cement stabilization was the most promising method since it not only increased the bearing capacity of the soil but also reduced its swelling characteristics.     

Accumulation of elements in plants and soils in and around Mangampeta and Vemula barite mining areas, Cuddapah District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Different plant organs and their corresponding substrate samples were collected from Mangampeta and Vemula barite mining areas of Cuddapah District, Andhra Pradesh. The presence of Indigofera cordifolia exclusively developed on mine dumps of the Vemula barite area and its significant absence away from the mining area shows its indicator characteristics for barium from the geobotanical point of view. Multi-element analysis of these samples was carried out and thebiological absorption coefficient (BAC) was calculated. The BAC is the ratio of the concentration of an element in plant ash to that of its substrate. The results show the presence and/or absence of certain elements in plants and soils, which can be explained on the basis of biogeochemical cycling of elements, exclusion mechanisms, and bioavailability. Further, Tridax procumbens (Li), I. cordifolia (Ba), Cassia angustifolia (Sr), and Kirganelia reticulata (Co) are identified as accumulator plants without considering their substrate concentration. Based on BAC, C. angustifolia (Sr) and Tephrosia purpurea (Zn) are determined to be accumulator plants. Such plant species may be useful in mineral exploration, and reclamation and revegetation of adversely affected mining environments.     

Investigation of expansive soils in Obhor Sabkha,Jeddah-Saudi Arabia

Expansion or swelling of soil is a worldwide geotechnical problem that occurs in arid and semiarid regions where sabkha soils may occur as well. Expansive soil is dominated by the presence of active clay minerals. The expansive and sabkha soils are characterized by a large seasonal variation in soil moisture content leading to a large change in the volume and the consistency of the soil and, thus, causing serious damages to buildings and infrastructure. Although sabkha soil covers large and strategically important areas along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coasts in Saudi Arabia, no one paid proper attention to the type of clay minerals in those soils or to their expansion potential, which is a crucial step prior to any construction. The geotechnical properties, active clay mineral types, and the degree expansion potential of soils were investigated in Obhor area at the north of Jeddah City. Twenty disturbed soil samples were collected at depths of 80 and 120 cm. Three different types of soils are identified: clayey soil with high plasticity, clayey soil with low plasticity, and poorly graded silty to clayey sand soil. Furthermore, active clay minerals were identified with a significant proportion of montmorillonite (14.24 %), illite (24.65 %), kaolinite (28.78 %), and chlorite (32.34 %). The results indicated that a considerable part of the study area has high expansion potential, but most parts of Obhor area have low to none potential of soil expansiveness.     

Environmental assessment of Durban Navigation Colliery discard dumps in the Klip River coalfield, Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa

Durban Navigation Colliery (Durnacol) occurs in the Klip River coalfield, the Dumps Nos. 1 and 2 of which were used as disposal sites shortly after the mine started in 1895. Both dumps are relatively small in size (<150,000?m²) in terms of South African mine standard and partially burnt or still burning. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive geochemical assessment of the potential environmental impact from the two dumps. The methodologies used included field observation; field tests (Fizz, pH, EC), sampling; analyses of mineralogy (XRD), geochemistry (XRF), water quality (AA and ICP-MS), particle size distribution and Acid?CBase Accounting (ABA). The field investigation indicated no toe seepage around the two dumps. Fizz rating of burnt material was higher than that of unburnt material on both dumps and paste pH proved to be neutral (pH 6?C7). This study further indicated that the combustion/burning of coal discard slightly increased both pH and alkalinity, but no trend was identified. The ABA results indicated that both dumps had the potential to turn acidic, as the majority of the samples taken had sulphide-sulphur higher than 0.25%. It is also noted that there is potential for heavy metal leaching out, specifically Al, Fe, Mn, and Zn from the dumps. A continuous monitoring of the boreholes in the vicinity of the dumps was recommended to establish the potential development and migration of a pollution plume around the dump in future.     

上海市第四系的工程地质研究

通过２０余项工程代表性的钻孔岩芯分析,对比了上海市１２０ｍ以浅晚第四纪各沉积层的成因类型,形成时代,岩性及其物理力学性质,并按地基工程要求。编制了“地基土层次名称表”。表中将沉积层划分为１２个工程地质层及众多亚层。在此基础上,参照已有２０００多项工程勘察资料,编制成多时段１：５万古地理图,从而摸清了本区各土层的空间分布规律及其结构变化特征。根据地层结构差异,编制了 桩基工程地质分区图”,阐述了天然地基和三个不同桩基区岩土工程地质条件及应用中需注意的事项,为上海市工程勘察、设计和麓工提供了可靠的科学依据。     

Landslide risk evaluation and hazard zoning for rapid and long-travel landslides in urban development areas

Risk evaluation for earthquake-induced rapid and long-travel landslides in densely populated urban areas is currently the most important disaster mitigation task in landslide-threatened areas throughout the world. The research achievements of the IPL M-101 APERITIF project were applied to two urban areas in megacities of Japan. One site is in the upper slope of the Nikawa landslide site where previous movements were triggered by the 1995 Hyogoken-Nambu earthquake. During detailed investigation, the slope was found to be at risk from a rapid and long-travel landslide induced by sliding surface liquefaction by earthquakes similar in scale to the 1995 event. A new plan to prevent the occurrence of this phenomenon was proposed and the plan was implemented. Another area is the Tama residential area near Tokyo. A set of field and laboratory investigations including laser scanner, geological drilling and ring-shear tests showed that there was a risk of sliding surface liquefaction for both sites. A geotechnical computer simulation (Rapid/LS) using the quantitative data obtained in the study allowed urban landslide hazard zoning to be made at individual street level.     

融合区域潜在落石源区识别的峡谷区落石危险性评价

山西壶关太行山大峡谷景区为中国最美十大峡谷之一,但景区落石灾害频发,严重威胁景区安全运营。本文基于高精度地形信息与岩土体强度特性,采用坡度角分布方法开展区域尺度潜在落石源区识别,并引入岩体破坏敏感性指标定量描述潜在落石源区失稳概率。然后,利用经验模型Flow-R模拟落石运动扩散过程,获取落石的传播概率与能量分布情况。最后,提出落石危险性双因子评价模型实现落石危险性定量评估。获得主要结论如下:(1)研究区内潜在落石源区面积为25.7 km2(35.7%),主要以条带状分布于峡谷两侧陡壁。其中岩体破坏高敏感性区为3.3 km2。(2)研究区落石高危险区面积达3.22 km2,主要威胁景区内游客集散地与交通线路,尤其在S327荫林线红豆峡入口处落石危险性最高。(3)野外调查验证结果表明了应用坡度角分布方法识别潜在落石源区的高效性与准确性,提出的双因子评价模型可为峡谷区落石危险性评估提供快速解决方案。本文提出的“区域落石源区识别-源区失稳概率分析-落石危险性评估”的一整套技术方案能够为类似的高山峡谷区落石灾害早期识别及风险防控提供技术参考。     

A GIS model for preliminary hazard assessment of swelling clays,a case study in Harran plain (SE Turkey)

Swelling behavior of clayey soils regarded as a hidden disaster, causes a great deal of damage in light hydraulic structures such as drinking water network, irrigation pipes or open canal linings through which water can easily leak and penetrate into soil during loading and unloading stages. Early identification during site investigation and laboratory testing is extremely important to ensure that the appropriate design strategy is adopted. The clay soils having swelling potential are generally found in arid and semi-arid regions, such as in the Şanlıurfa-Harran plain located in the southeast of Turkey. The problems associated with swelling clays occurred for the lightweight hydraulic structures constructed in Turkey have been met during the construction of irrigation structures in the scope of Southeast Anatolian Project as the Turkey’s greatest water resources project. Therefore, the identification of such soils and the assessment of their swelling potential parameters are necessary for hazard mitigation planning and land-use management. In this scope, extensive geotechnical study is executed for an investigation area. The samples were obtained from the Harran plain where many irrigation canal structures are constructed, and geotechnical study was performed on these samples. Atterberg limit tests often provide the basic field information to substantiate the soil’s swelling nature. The plasticity index (PI) and liquid limit (LL) values are also used extensively for classifying swelling soil and should always be determined during preliminary investigations. Because of this, LL and PI are assessed by using geographical information system (GIS)-based computer software, and LL and PI contour maps are created. Swelling percentages of the soil samples were carried out on both undisturbed and compacted soil samples by using direct methods. As a result of this extensive study, the values of swelling percentages determined for each location are used to obtain the swelling potential hazard map of the area by means of a GIS program. The results of GIS analyses for this area indicate that the analyses based on a lot of data introduce meaningful results for this study. It is expected that these maps will be a useful tool for planners and engineers in their efforts to achieve better land-use planning and to decide necessary remedial measures.