Temporal transition analysis of coal mine fire of Jharia coalfield,India, using Landsat satellite imageries

Coal is dominant energy source of world at large and India in particular for several decades and expected to being continued for foreseeable future. However, fire in this fossils fuel is still a global catastrophe for the major coal-producing countries. There are several direct and cascading distress of coal mine fire has been encountered by environment, economy, safety and society. Without knowledge of actual status and extent of coal mine fire, any scope for its better managements may be futile. In India, the coal mine fire of well-known Jharia coalfield (JCF) has been continued since last ten decades and still spreading towards newer areas. The aim of this paper is to highlight the chronological net lateral spatial changes in coal mine fire areas of JCF using Landsat satellite thermal imageries. The mapping of coal mine fire area of JCF during 1988–2013 has been carried out with consecutive 5-year intervals. The lateral changes in surface and subsurface fire areas along with propagation towards new area have been studied. The study also included to evaluate changes of status and extent fire during this time span and effect of its management efforts. On the basis of aforementioned analysis, the study concludes a slow reducing trend in coal mine fire area during last 25 years.     

Facies pattern of the middle Permian Barren Measures Formation, Jharia basin, India: The sedimentary response to basin tectonics

In the Lower Gondwana succession of the Jharia basin of eastern India, the Barren Measures Formation is characterized by the cyclic disposition of fine-grained lacustrine deposits and relatively coarse-grained fluvial deposits. The cyclic variation in the rate of coarse clastic input is attributed to the sedimentary response to basin tectonics. The sandstone-shale alternations of the Barren Measures succession can be correlated with the tectonic cyclothems developed on the hangingwall dip-slope and adjoining trough in a continental half-graben setting. Enhancement of the gradient of the hangingwall dip-slope during reactivation of the basin margin faults led to progradation of the existing fluvial system towards the half-graben trough and deposition of the coarser clastics on the fine-grained lacustrine deposits of the trough. Peneplanation of the hangingwall slope and slow increase in the lake level caused lacustrine transgression and retrogration of the fluvial system on the hangingwall block. The fluvial sediments were onlapped by the fine-grained lacustrine deposits. Episodic rejuvenation of the basin margin faults thus caused development of tectonic cyclothem on the hangingwall block. The paleocurrent pattern indicates that a persistent northward paleoslope was maintained during Barren Measures sedimentation. The inferred depositional settings were much more extensive than the present limit of the outcrop. The faults, presently defining the northern limit of the Barren Measures Formation, were possibly emplaced after Barren Measures sedimentation. The final movement along these fault planes caused preservation of the downthrown hangingwall block and the Barren Measures sediments on the footwall block were eroded during subsequent denudation. The Southern Boundary Fault came into existence after the deposition of the Barren Measures sediments.     

Detection and delineation of coal mine fire in Jharia coal field,India using geophysical approach: A case study

Coal mine fire is a serious problem in Jharia coal field, India. The coal mine fire can be detected with different techniques such as borehole temperature measurement, thermo-compositional analysis, remote sensing techniques, thermo-graphic measurement and geophysical methods. In this study, various geophysical methods were used to detect the surface and subsurface coal mine fires. Geophysical techniques used in the present study are apparent resistivity, self-potential (SP), magnetic method and thermography. Geophysical anomalies such as low SP value of \(-60\hbox { mV}\), high negative magnetic response and low apparent resistivity value helped us to detect and delineate the fire and non-fire areas laterally as well as depthwise. Furthermore, the thermography survey was carried out in the coal field using thermal imaging camera in order to substantiate the geophysical methods. This integrated approach was found to be more advantageous for the detection and delineation of surface and subsurface fire with respect to use of any specific techniques. Moreover, the level of threat towards the locality, national railway line was also assessed unambiguously using the above techniques. Hence, proper planning and implementation towards the mitigation of hazard can be achieved on the basis of the reported results.     

Low level of stratospheric ozone near the Jharia coal field in India

The Indian reserve of coking coal is mainly located in the Jharia coal field in Jharkhand. Although air pollution due to oxides and dioxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur is reported to have increased in this area due to large-scale opencast mining and coal fires, no significant study on the possible impact of coal fires on the stratospheric ozone concentration has been reported so far. The possible impact of coal fires, which have been burning for more than 90 years on the current stratospheric ozone concentration has been investigated using satellite based data obtained from Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite (UARS MLS), Earth Observing System Microwave Limb Sounder (EOS MLS) and Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) in this paper. The stratospheric ozone values for the years 1992–2007, in the 28–36 km altitude range near Jharia and places to its north are found to be consistently lower than those of places lying to its south (up to a radius of 1000 km around Jharia) by 4.0–20%. This low stratospheric ozone level around Jharia is being observed and reported for the first time. However, due to lack of systematic ground-based measurements of tropospheric ozone and vertical ozone profiles at Jharia and other far off places in different directions, it is difficult to conclude strongly on the existence of a relationship between pollution from coal fires and stratospheric ozone depletion.     

Abandoned mine galleries detection using electrical resistivity tomography method over Jharia coal field,India

Land subsidence is a serious problem in Indian coalfields due to old underground mine workings. Unfortunately, most of these are uncharted as no mine plans are available. The hidden galleries, goafs, shafts etc. may pose great threat for future mine development as well as to the local environment. The mine workings should be charted to undertake an effective preventive action. In the present study, 2D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) technique has been used to detect underground mine workings, mainly air or water filled galleries. Initially, the whole exercise has been executed through a synthetic model study. Gaussian random noise of 5mV/A has been added with synthetic data to demonstrate field condition which provides realistic results. ERT survey was conducted over a part of Jogidih coal mine of Jharia coal field in India for a first time. Four electrode configurations, Wenner, Schlumberger, dipole-dipole and gradient were considered for this study. The results indicate the presence of sub-surface water and air filled cavity due to high resistivity contrast with surroundings.     

K-rich titanate from the Jharia ultrapotassic rock, Gondwana coal fields, eastern India, and its petrological significance

We report a rare accessory groundmass mineral of K-rich titanate, having a composition close to that of potassium triskaidecatitanate (K₂Ti₁₃O₂₇), from an underground drill-core sample of ultrapotassic rock from southwestern part of the Jharia coal field in the Damodar valley, at the northern margin of the Singhbhum craton, Eastern India. Potassium triskaidecatitanate is regarded as a typomorphic mineral of orangeites (Group II kimberlites) of Kaapvaal craton, southern Africa, and its occurrence in the Jharia ultrapotassic rock is significant since ultrapotassic suite of rocks elsewhere from the Damodar valley have been recently suggested to be peralkaline lamproites based on mineral-genetic classification. The important role played by a unique geodynamic setting (involving a thinned metasomatised lithospheric mantle and inheritance of an Archaean subduction component) at the northern margin of the Singhbhum craton in deciding the petrological diversity of the early Cretaceous ultrapotassic intrusives from the Damodar valley is highlighted in this study.     

Downward continuation and tilt derivative of magnetic data for delineation of concealed coal fire in East Basuria Colliery,Jharia coal field,India

The present study deals with the characterization of subsurface coal fires of East Basuria colliery in Jharia coal field, India using tilt derivative and downward continuation of magnetic data. Magnetic data processing methods such as diurnal correction, noise removal, reduction to pole, tilt derivative and downward continuation have been used to process the data and for the interpretation of results on the basis of magnetic properties of overlying materials which change with the temperature variation above or below the Curie temperature. Most of the magnetic anomalies are associated with coal fire and non-coal fire regions which are correlated with tilt-derivative anomaly and corresponding downward-continued anomaly at different depths. The subsequent surface and subsurface characteristics are explained with good agreement. Approximate source depth of principal anomaly inferred from tilt derivatives method are corroborated with multi-seam occurrences, mine working levels and surface manifestation which are also correlated well with 3D model of downward continued anomaly distribution.     

Entropy in Markov analysis of late paleozoic cyclical coal measures of East Bokaro basin, Bihar, India

Randomness in the occurrence of lithologies in a cyclical succession is evaluated in terms of entropies which can be calculated from a Markov chain matrix. Two types of entropies are linked with every lithologic state; one is the entropy before deposition E ^(pre) and the other is that after deposition E ^(post),which together form an entropy set. The entropy sets for pebbly sandstone, sandstone, shale, and coal for the Karharbari coal measures, and sandstone, shale, carbonaceous shale, and coal for the Barakar coal measures were plotted separately and compared with Hattori's idealized plots. These coal measures probably were essentially of symmetrical cyclical pattern (Type-B)of Hattori. The entropy of the whole sedimentation unit readily fits under the broad framework of fluvial cycles.     

Multivariate statistical approach for assessment of subsidence in Jharia coalfields,India

Indian coalfields, one of the major coal producers, are facing serious problem of subsidence now-a-days. This paper attempts to investigate various factors and their influence on magnitude and extent of subsidence. The study was conducted in the Jharia coalfields, India where extraction of thick seams at shallow depths has damaged the ground surface in the form of subsidence. For precise pre-estimation of subsidence, it is therefore necessary to know the contribution of each factor to the occurrence of subsidence. In order to achieve the objectives of this study, several multivariate statistical techniques such as factor analysis (FA), principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) have been used. Two factors were extracted using FA. Factor 1 and factor 2 account for 42.327% and 24.661% of the variability respectively. Factor 1 represents “natural factor” whereas factor 2 represents “subsidence coefficient”. Spatial variations in regarding susceptibility to the subsidence were determined from hierarchical CA using the linkage distance. Further, the findings of this study would be helpful for prediction of magnitude of subsidence empirically.     

Stability of slopes in a fire-prone mine in Jharia Coalfield, India

Stability of slope in an opencast mine is always associated with safety and economics. The steeper slope is always preferred from economic point of view but prone to failure, whereas flatter slopes are uneconomical. A proper understanding of slope which will be a steep enough to be stable is required for safety, economy, and stability of men and machineries. The Rajapur opencast mine is one of the important mines in terms of good quality coal but has problems of water seepage, fire, and weak overburden materials. The existing coal mine has three working seams which are mostly thick and occur at shallow depths of about 50–60 m. Overall slope angle of the working faces as well as final pit is very steep which leads to failures. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to characterize the materials of the mine for simulation of existing slopes. The rock samples from the coal measures were collected to determine the petrophysical characteristics of various rock units. All the pertinent geological parameters from the exposed face were also collected during field visit to assess the slope mass rating (SMR). A two-dimensional finite difference tool was employed to simulate the existing slope geometry as well as relevant parameters of the rock units. The numerical simulation indicates various vulnerable points which are prone to failure as well as displacements at various points along the slope. The results of simulations are corroborated with the SMR value. The results are well matching with the field condition.     

重力小波分析方法在宁东煤田预测中的应用

宁东地区是宁夏规模最大的含煤区,已发现9个石炭—二叠纪和侏罗纪大煤田。笔者对宁东地区1∶20万区域重力资料进行进一步处理,根据宁东含煤区石炭—二叠纪煤田与侏罗纪煤田2种类型,采用2．5D正演建立煤田重力场模型,并说明采用位场分离方法能够分离与识别含煤区;利用小波分析方法对布格重力进行分析,结果发现：小波一、二、三阶细节与已知的煤田对应较好,而滑动平均等传统的位场分离方法分离的局部异常则无明显对应关系。利用重力小波一、二、三阶细节预测了宁东地区石炭—二叠系和侏罗系含煤区的远景,充分发挥了1∶20万区域重力资料在煤田勘探中的作用。     

Crustal density model across West Bengal basin,India: An integrated interpretation of seismic and gravity data

An integrated interpretation of the seismic refraction and wide-angle reflection data, geological and structural details, bore-hole litholog information and gravity particulars along Beliator-Burdwan-Bangaon deep seismic sounding (DSS) profile in West Bengal basin has helped in getting a crustal density model. This model is consistent with all available surface and bore-hole geophysical data that can realistically explain the trend, shape and magnitude of gravity data across the West Bengal basin. The present exercise pointed out that the thick sedimentary column (with thickening trend towards east), conspicuous lateral variations in the Moho configuration (with a prominent 40 km wide domal feature covering the eastern part of the stable shelf and trie western segment of the deep basinal part) coupled with the structural trends in the basement, mid and lower crustal columns have combinedly contributed to the gravity effect and as such the prominent lateral variations in the Bouguer gravity anomalies could be mainly attributed to regionally extending causative factors. The synthesis clearly points out the need to take proper care in selecting the density values as direct conversion of velocities into densities, adapting well-known conversion formulae, does not always hold good specially in the eastern part of the West Bengal basin where a huge thickness of sediments (velocities ranging between 4 to 5 km/sec) of high density 2.6 to 2.8 g/cm³ are sandwiched between younger sediments and the crystalline basement.     

Morphometric analysis of Suketi river basin,Himachal Himalaya,India

Suketi river basin is located in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It encompasses a central inter-montane valley and surrounding mountainous terrain in the Lower Himachal Himalaya. Morphometric analysis of the Suketi river basin was carried out to study its drainage characteristics and overall groundwater resource potential. The entire Suketi river basin has been divided into five sub-basins based on the catchment areas of Suketi trunk stream and its major tributaries. Quantitative assessment of each sub-basin was carried out for its linear, areal, and relief aspects. The analysis reveals that the drainage network of the entire Suketi river basin constitutes a 7th order basin. Out of five sub-basins, Kansa khad sub-basin (KKSB), Gangli khad sub-basin (GKSB) and Ratti khad sub-basin (RKSB) are 5th order sub-basins. The Dadour khad sub-basin (DKSB) is 6th order sub-basin, while Suketi trunk stream sub-basin (STSSB) is a 7th order sub-basin. The entire drainage basin area reflects late youth to early mature stage of development of the fluvial geomorphic cycle, which is dominated by rain and snow fed lower order streams. It has low stream frequency (Fs) and moderate drainage density (Dd) of 2.69 km/km ². Bifurcation ratios (Rb) of various stream orders indicate that streams up to 3rd order are surging through highly dissected mountainous terrain, which facilitates high overland flow and less recharge into the sub-surface resulting in low groundwater potential in the zones of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd order streams of the Suketi river basin. The circulatory ratio (Rc) of 0.65 and elongation ratio (Re) of 0.80 show elongated nature of the Suketi river basin, while infiltration number (If) of 10.66 indicates dominance of relief features and low groundwater potential in the high altitude mountainous terrain. The asymmetry factor (Af) of Suketi river basin indicates that the palaeo-tectonic tilting, at drainage basin scale, was towards the downstream right side of the drainage basin. The slope map of Suketi river basin has been classified into three main zones, which delineate the runoff zone in the mountains, recharge zone in the transition zone between mountains and valley plane, and discharge zone in the plane areas of Balh valley.     

Environmental geochemistry and quality assessment of mine water of Jharia coalfield,India

A long mining history and unscientific exploitation of Jharia coalfield caused many environmental problems including water resource depletion and contamination. A geochemical study of mine water in the Jharia coalfield has been undertaken to assess its quality and suitability for domestic, industrial and irrigation uses. For this purpose, 92 mine water samples collected from different mining areas of Jharia coalfield were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), major cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺), anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, HCO₃ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, NO₃ ⁻), dissolved silica (H₄SiO₄) and trace metals. The pH of the analysed mine water samples varied from 6.2 to 8.6, indicating mildly acidic to alkaline nature. Concentration of TDS varied from 437 to 1,593 mg L⁻¹ and spatial differences in TDS values reflect the variation in lithology, surface activities and hydrological regime prevailing in the region. SO₄ ²⁻ and HCO₃ ⁻ are dominant in the anion and Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ in the cation chemistry of mine water. High concentrations of SO₄ ²⁻ in the mine water of the area are attributed to the oxidative weathering of pyrites. Ca–Mg–SO₄ and Ca–Mg–HCO₃ are the dominant hydrochemical facies. The drinking water quality assessment indicates that number of mine water samples have high TDS, total hardness and SO₄ ²⁻ concentrations and needs treatment before its utilization. Concentrations of some trace metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb) were also found to be above the desirable levels recommended for drinking water. The mine water is good to permissible quality and suitable for irrigation in most cases. However, higher salinity, residual sodium carbonate and Mg-ratio restrict its suitability for irrigation at some sites.     

Determination of in-situ stress direction from cleat orientation mapping for coal bed methane exploration in south-eastern part of Jharia coalfield, India

Accurate prediction of in-situ stress directions plays a key role in any Coal Bed Methane (CBM) exploration and exploitation project in order to estimate the production potential of the CBM reservoirs. Permeability is one of the most important factors for determination of CBM productivity. The coal seams in Jharia coalfield generally show low permeability in the range of 0.5 md to 3 md. To estimate the in-situ stress direction in the study area, an attempt has been made to undertake the cleat orientation mapping of four regional coal seams of two underground coal mines located at south-eastern part of Jharia coalfield, India. Cleat orientation mapping is critical to determine the maximum principal compressive horizontal stress (S_H) direction for CBM exploration and exploitation, which in turn controls the direction of maximum gas or water flow though coal beds. From the field study it is found that the average face and butt cleat azimuths are towards N15°W and N75°E respectively. Average permeability of the four above-mentioned major coal seams has been calculated from well logs of nine CBM wells distributing over an area of 7.5 km², adjacent to the underground mines. The cleat orientations are congruous with the regional lineament pattern and fits well with the average permeability contour map of the study area to infer the orientation of in-situ maximum horizontal stress. Goodness of fit for the exponential regressions between vertical stress and permeability for individual coal seams varies between 0.6 and 0.84. The cleat orientation is further validated from the previous fracture analysis using FMI well log in Parbatpur area located southern part of the Jharia coalfield. The major coal seams under the study area exhibit directional permeability, with the maximum permeability, oriented parallel to the direction of face cleat orientation.     

Expansion of the South China Sea basin: Constraints from magnetic anomaly stripes,sea floor topography,satellite gravity and submarine geothermics

The widely distributed E–W-trending magnetic anomaly stripes in the central basin and the N–E-trending magnetic anomaly stripes in the southwest sub-basin provide the most important evidence for Neogene expansion of the South China Sea. The expansion mechanism remains, however, controversial because of the lack of direct drilling data, non-systematic marine magnetic survey data, and irregular magnetic anomaly stripes with two obvious directions. For example, researchers have inferred different ages and episodes of expansion for the central basin and southwest sub-basin. Major controversy centers on the order of basinal expansion and the mechanism of expansion for the entire South China Sea basin. This study attempts to constrain these problems from a comprehensive analysis of the seafloor topography, magnetic anomaly stripes, regional aeromagnetic data, satellite gravity, and submarine geothermics. The mapped seafloor terrain shows that the central basin is a north-south rectangle that is relatively shallow with many seamounts, whereas the southwest sub-basin is wide in northeast, gradually narrows to the southwest, and is relatively deeper with fewer seamounts. Many magnetic anomaly stripes are present in the central basin with variable dimensions and directions that are dominantly EW-trending, followed by the NE-, NW- and NS-trending. Conversely such stripes are few in the southwest sub-basin and mainly NE-trending. Regional magnetic data suggest that the NW-trending Ailaoshan-Red River fault extends into the South China Sea, links with the central fault zone in the South China Sea, which extends further southward to Reed Tablemount. Satellite gravity data show that both the central basin and southwest sub-basin are composed of oceanic crust. The Changlong seamount is particularly visible in the southwest sub-basin and extends eastward to the Zhenbei seamount. Also a low gravity anomaly zone coincides with the central fault zone in the sub-basin. The submarine geothermic distribution demonstrates that the southwest sub-basin has a higher geothermal value than the central basin, and that the central fault zone is defined by a low thermal anomaly. This study suggests that NW–SE expansion of the southwest subbasin is later than the N–S expansion of the central basin with the sub-basin extending into the central basin and with both expansions ending at the same time. The expansion of southwestern sub-basin, similar to the Japanese Sea, is likely caused by left-lateral strike slip on the central fault zone in the South China Sea, which may have significance for finding oil and gas in this region.     

An analysis of the gravity field over north Singhbhum, Bihar, India

About seven hundred gravity stations were established 2–3 miles apart over the Precambrian terrain of Singhbhum that lies between latitude 22° 15′ to 23°°15′N and longitude 85° to 87°E. Bouguer anomalies ranging from +4 to −62 mGal are found in the area. The observed Bouguer anomaly map was analyzed into regional and residual components. The residual anomaly map shows an excellent correlation with geology. The Singhbhum granite batholith is associated with several gravity lows. The residual anomaly map outlines nine plutonic granitic masses within the Singhbhum batholith. Negative residuals are also observed over some intrusive granites outside the batholith. Residual gravity highs are noted over the Dalma hill as well as over the Dhanjori lava complex on the eastern part of the Singhbhum batholith.Two-dimensional models suggestive of subsurface configuration of several major geologic units in the area are presented. These indicate that some of the plutonic granites within the Singhbhum batholith are of relatively large dimensions. The basin containing the Iron Ore Group of rocks to the west of the batholith, as well as the basin containing Singhbhum Group of rocks outside the Copper Belt thrust, may have sedimentary thicknesses of the order of 6–7 km. The Dalma lavas attain their maximum thickness of about 2.5 km in the form of a syncline, underneath which the Singhbhum Group of rocks is also found to be the thickest. The Copper Belt thrust, a major Precambrian fracture around the Singhbhum batholith, is moderately north-dipping near the surface but possibly attains a steeper slope at depth. The thrust appears to be quite deep seated. A threedimensional computer-based model for the Dhanjori lava—gabbro complex on the eastern part of the Singhbhum batholith has been deduced. Maximum thickness of these basic rocks is found to exist underneath a thin cap of granophyre. The geological implication of these results is discussed.Variation in the regional anomalies seems to be attributable to a mass deficiency under the Singhbhum batholith. The batholith may extend subsurfacially towards the north across the Copper Belt thrust. The northern tip of the batholith probably became dissected along the line of intersection of the two orogenic trends in the area and subsided. Over this subsided part, the Singhbhum Group of rocks was deposited at a later stage. Gravity data suggest a fairly large amount of subsidence in the area.     

内蒙古早白垩世五间房含煤盆地煤层煤相分析

内蒙古是我国非常重要的后备煤炭资源基地,煤层大多聚集在白垩纪断陷盆地中,其中,五间房含煤盆地煤炭资源丰富。通过对该盆地东南部3个钻孔57件煤样的煤岩学和煤化学分析,探讨了煤层的煤质特征、煤相类型及其演化规律。研究结果表明：本区煤层以低—中高灰、高挥发分产率和低—特低硫为特征;具有较高的镜/惰比和结构保存指数;煤相类型主要为潮湿森林沼泽相,自下而上,成煤泥炭沼泽覆水程度总体有所加深,上部泥炭沼泽具有水体逐渐加深的水进型特征,下部泥炭沼泽具有水体逐渐变浅的水退型特征。