A prediction method for water enrichment in aquifer based on GIS and coupled AHP–entropy model

Abstract

Abstract To prevent coal mine water disasters, the main objective of this study is to predict the water enrichment of the main aquifer in a coal mine of China that has been threatened by water inrush. The prediction is carried out using a geographic information system (GIS) and a coupled analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy model. The flushing fluid consumption, burnt rock distribution, sand–shale ratio, and lithology structure index were determined as the main factors controlling the water enrichment of the aquifer. A thematic map of these main factors was constructed using the spatial data analysis functions of GIS and the data from a total of 146 drilling columns and field investigation. The weights of these controlling factors were calculated using the coupled model. A prediction map of the water enrichment of the aquifer was then developed by overlaying the thematic map with the weights of each controlling factor. The degree of water enrichment was finally divided into four levels for easy interpretation, where Level I denotes the highest water enrichment and poses the greatest threat of water disaster.