Assessment of potential impact of tunneling on the groundwater in Epi-Fissure-Karst-Zone and ecological environment

Planning and constructing tunnels in urban or ecologically sensitive areas require an environmentally friendly approach. However, it is quite difficult to characterize, assess, and predict the environmental consequences of tunneling, especially in carbonate mountain areas. It is found that there is an Epi-Fissure-Karst-Zone (EFKZ) in Laoshan carbonate mountain, which is situated in middle China. EFKZ is a zone intensively fractured, weathered, karstified; it is thereby permeable and of a vital ecological significance. Monitoring results in boreholes indicate that tunneling has the potential to cause noticeable drawdown of groundwater level in the EFKZ, which means a decrease of groundwater retention capacity. Based on monitoring results and comprehensive analysis, this paper studies the influencing factors of tunnel construction on the groundwater in the EFKZ as a first-step research, and then puts forward a TEIF parametric methodology for assessment of potential impacts of tunneling on groundwater in the EFKZ and ecological conditions. Applying the TEIF parametric method, a risk assessment of environmental impact of tunneling has been made for Laoshan Tunnel.

[1]  P. Huntoon.  Hydrogeologie Characteristics and Deforestation of the Stone Forest Karst Aquifers of South China , 1992 .

[2]  B. Trček.  How can the epikarst zone influence the karst aquifer hydraulic behaviour? , 2006 .

[3]  J. Vrba,et al.  Guidebook on Mapping Groundwater Vulnerability , 1994 .

[4]  Alessandro Gargini,et al.  Using tracer tests and hydrological observations to evaluate effects of tunnel drainage on groundwater and surface waters in the Northern Apennines (Italy) , 2009 .

[5]  A. Dassargues,et al.  Sensitivity analysis for the EPIK method of vulnerability assessment in a small karstic aquifer, southern Belgium , 2000 .

[6]  K. Karlsrud,et al.  CONTROL OF WATER LEAKAGE WHEN TUNNELLING UNDER URBAN AREAS IN THE OSLO REGION , 2002 .

[7]  J. Hahn,et al.  Konzept zur Ermittlung der Schutzfunktion der - Grundwasserüberdeckung , 1995 .

[8]  J. Gunn.  Point-recharge of limestone aquifers — A model from New Zealand karst , 1983 .

[9]  Fengmei Yang,et al.  The impact of tunneling construction on the hydrogeological environment of “Tseng-Wen Reservoir Transbasin Diversion Project” in Taiwan , 2009 .

[10]  P. Attanayake,et al.  Identifying environmental impacts of underground construction , 2006 .

[11]  Henry Lin,et al.  Controls of infiltrationrunoff processes in Mediterranean karst rangelands in SE Spain , 2011 .

[12]  M. Zarei,et al.  Karst development and hydrogeology of Konarsiah salt diapir, south of Iran , 2010 .

[13]  Theodor Krauthammer,et al.  Blast-resistant structural concrete and steel connections , 1999 .

[14]  Xiao-bao Zhao,et al.  Changes of ecological conditions induced by rock tunneling in Laoshan Mountain area , 2008 .

[15]  F. Zwahlen,et al.  Water vulnerability assessment in karst environments: a new method of defining protection areas using a multi-attribute approach and GIS tools (EPIK method) , 1999 .

[16]  A. Dassargues,et al.  Main concepts of the "European approach" to karst-groundwater-vulnerability assessment and mapping , 2002 .

[17]  Damir Jukić,et al.  Groundwater balance estimation in karst by using a conceptual rainfall-runoff model , 2009 .

[18]  J. R. Raposo,et al.  Quantitative evaluation of hydrogeological impact produced by tunnel construction using water balance models , 2010 .

[19]  R. Graham,et al.  WATER-HOLDING CHARACTERISTICS OF WEATHERED GRANITIC ROCK IN CHAPARRAL AND FOREST ECOSYSTEMS , 1993 .

[20]  J. Kværner,et al.  The Romeriksporten railway tunnel — Drainage effects on peatlands in the lake Northern Puttjern area , 2008 .