Identification of inflow sources and pathways to a waste rock dump located in a former river channel in a mountainous abandoned mine of Japan: A case study 60 years post-construction

Study region: A legacy underground mine located in a mountainous region of Hokkaido, northern Japan. Study focus: The concentrations of dissolved ions and stable water isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) in surface water from surrounding rivers and groundwater near a waste rock dump (WD) were analyzed. Continuo...

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Main Authors: Shinji Matsumoto, Sereyroith Tum, Tagiru Ogino, Miu Nishikata, Tetsuo Yasutaka, Tomoko Oguri, Tsuyoshi Shintani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-10-01
Series:Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581825004707
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author Shinji Matsumoto
Sereyroith Tum
Tagiru Ogino
Miu Nishikata
Tetsuo Yasutaka
Tomoko Oguri
Tsuyoshi Shintani
author_facet Shinji Matsumoto
Sereyroith Tum
Tagiru Ogino
Miu Nishikata
Tetsuo Yasutaka
Tomoko Oguri
Tsuyoshi Shintani
author_sort Shinji Matsumoto
collection DOAJ
description Study region: A legacy underground mine located in a mountainous region of Hokkaido, northern Japan. Study focus: The concentrations of dissolved ions and stable water isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) in surface water from surrounding rivers and groundwater near a waste rock dump (WD) were analyzed. Continuous water quality monitoring was performed using data loggers. Tracer tests using NaCl were also performed in the rivers. Time-series analysis and correlation studies elucidated the origins and pathways of water inflow to the WD. New hydrological insights for the region: Water inflow into the WD predominantly originated from groundwater in the surrounding mountainous terrain and river water, serving as the primary contributors to mining-influenced water (MIW). The inflow volumes and MIW generation increased during precipitation events and snowmelt periods. These processes could have been influenced by the degradation of impermeable structures around the WD, emphasizing the need for continuous water quality monitoring and repair of these structures. This research highlights the necessity of long-term planning for WD management, considering regional climatic and topographic characteristics, to mitigate water pollution risks. It provides new insights into reducing environmental impacts and enhancing the sustainability of mining operations in mountainous regions. Moreover, this study demonstrates that a combination of hydrological approaches—water quality analysis, isotopic studies, and tracer tests—is a valuable tool for gathering critical information on MIW in mountainous mining regions.
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spelling doaj-art-6d6005aa45d2475e9a409ae322cfb4d72025-08-20T03:46:50ZengElsevierJournal of Hydrology: Regional Studies2214-58182025-10-016110264510.1016/j.ejrh.2025.102645Identification of inflow sources and pathways to a waste rock dump located in a former river channel in a mountainous abandoned mine of Japan: A case study 60 years post-constructionShinji Matsumoto0Sereyroith Tum1Tagiru Ogino2Miu Nishikata3Tetsuo Yasutaka4Tomoko Oguri5Tsuyoshi Shintani6Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 7, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8567, Japan; Integrated Research Center for Nature Positive Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8567, Japan; Corresponding author at: Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 7, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8567, Japan.Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 7, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8567, Japan; Integrated Research Center for Nature Positive Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8567, JapanResearch Institutes of Energy, Environment and Geology, Industrial Technology and Environment Research Department, Hokkaido Research Organization, 11, Kita 19 Zhou-Nishi, Kitaku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0819, JapanGeological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 7, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8567, JapanGeological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 7, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8567, Japan; Integrated Research Center for Nature Positive Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8567, JapanResearch Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability (RISS), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8569, JapanGeological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 7, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8567, JapanStudy region: A legacy underground mine located in a mountainous region of Hokkaido, northern Japan. Study focus: The concentrations of dissolved ions and stable water isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) in surface water from surrounding rivers and groundwater near a waste rock dump (WD) were analyzed. Continuous water quality monitoring was performed using data loggers. Tracer tests using NaCl were also performed in the rivers. Time-series analysis and correlation studies elucidated the origins and pathways of water inflow to the WD. New hydrological insights for the region: Water inflow into the WD predominantly originated from groundwater in the surrounding mountainous terrain and river water, serving as the primary contributors to mining-influenced water (MIW). The inflow volumes and MIW generation increased during precipitation events and snowmelt periods. These processes could have been influenced by the degradation of impermeable structures around the WD, emphasizing the need for continuous water quality monitoring and repair of these structures. This research highlights the necessity of long-term planning for WD management, considering regional climatic and topographic characteristics, to mitigate water pollution risks. It provides new insights into reducing environmental impacts and enhancing the sustainability of mining operations in mountainous regions. Moreover, this study demonstrates that a combination of hydrological approaches—water quality analysis, isotopic studies, and tracer tests—is a valuable tool for gathering critical information on MIW in mountainous mining regions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581825004707Mining-influenced waterAcid mine drainageNorthern JapanWaste rock dumpIsotope analysisWater pollution
spellingShingle Shinji Matsumoto
Sereyroith Tum
Tagiru Ogino
Miu Nishikata
Tetsuo Yasutaka
Tomoko Oguri
Tsuyoshi Shintani
Identification of inflow sources and pathways to a waste rock dump located in a former river channel in a mountainous abandoned mine of Japan: A case study 60 years post-construction
Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies
Mining-influenced water
Acid mine drainage
Northern Japan
Waste rock dump
Isotope analysis
Water pollution
title Identification of inflow sources and pathways to a waste rock dump located in a former river channel in a mountainous abandoned mine of Japan: A case study 60 years post-construction
title_full Identification of inflow sources and pathways to a waste rock dump located in a former river channel in a mountainous abandoned mine of Japan: A case study 60 years post-construction
title_fullStr Identification of inflow sources and pathways to a waste rock dump located in a former river channel in a mountainous abandoned mine of Japan: A case study 60 years post-construction
title_full_unstemmed Identification of inflow sources and pathways to a waste rock dump located in a former river channel in a mountainous abandoned mine of Japan: A case study 60 years post-construction
title_short Identification of inflow sources and pathways to a waste rock dump located in a former river channel in a mountainous abandoned mine of Japan: A case study 60 years post-construction
title_sort identification of inflow sources and pathways to a waste rock dump located in a former river channel in a mountainous abandoned mine of japan a case study 60 years post construction
topic Mining-influenced water
Acid mine drainage
Northern Japan
Waste rock dump
Isotope analysis
Water pollution
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581825004707
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