Disturbance of Geothermal Field of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin Due to Mining Activity

Abstract

The thermal field of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) is influenced by mining activity i.e. coal extraction, ventilation and dewatering of mines. Long-term mining, in some mines lasting even for hundreds of years, is the reason for essential changes in heat flow, hydrogeologic conditions and in consequence in distribution of temperature in rock massif which is manifested in pre-cooling of rocks in mines. On the basis of temperature and geological data acquired &om wells, mine workings, and &om geological and geothermal maps a diagram of rock temperature versus depth was composed. Geological conditions of coal extraction are varying between westem and eastern parts of the coal basin, and have an influence on water content and air motion in mines in particular parts of the region; ventilation and water content in rock mass have substantial impact on the temperature distribution in mines.