Coupled Geological Topographical Frameworks for Managing Aquifer Hydraulic Fracturing in Coal Mine Engineering

Authors

  • Bin Wang

    China Coal Technology Engineering Group (CCTEG) Xi’an Research Institute (Group) Co., Ltd., Xi’an 710077, China

    China Coal Technology Engineering Group (CCTEG) Coal Mining Research Institute (Group) Co., Ltd., Beijing 101300, China

    Tiandi Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing 100013, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v8i8.13542
Received: 22 May 2026 | Revised: 27 July 2026 | Accepted: 3 July 2026 | Published Online: 31 August 2026

Abstract

Aquifer hydraulic fracturing in coal mine engineering faces uncontrolled fracture propagation and water migration due to complex geological-topographical interactions, leading to groundwater contamination, water inflow, and mine collapse risks. This systematic review synthesized 79 peer-reviewed papers (2000–2025) from the Web of Science and Scopus databases using keywords: "hydraulic fracturing," "coal mine," "aquifer," "geological modeling," and "topographical data." Inclusion criteria required quantitative field or simulation data on fracture behavior or water flow. Coupled hydromechanical models (FLAC3D-TOUGH2, ABAQUS with cohesive zone methods) improve fracture propagation prediction accuracy by 15–25% over single-domain models. Geographic information system (GIS)-based integration of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) topography (sub-meter resolution) with borehole geological data reduces water inflow prediction error by approximately 30% compared to conventional methods. Natural fracture networks increase unintended aquifer connectivity risk by 40–60% when uncharacterized. This review establishes that coupled geological-topographical frameworks reduce groundwater contamination incidents by 25–35% and optimize water injection rates, improving operational efficiency by 20%. Practical implications include real-time monitoring protocols and regulatory recommendations for mine safety and environmental protection.

Keywords:

Aquifer Hydraulic Fracturing; Coal Mine Engineering; Geological Modeling; Topographical Data Integration; Water Management Strategies

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How to Cite

Wang, B. (2026). Coupled Geological Topographical Frameworks for Managing Aquifer Hydraulic Fracturing in Coal Mine Engineering. Journal of Environmental & Earth Sciences, 8(8), 1239–1256. https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v8i8.13542

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Article Type

Review