Mining subsidence pools are water bodies formed by soil subsidence near mines. We studied the impact the surrounding coal production activities and power plants have on these waters by measuring the concentrations of harmful trace elements in these waters. The concentration of the four elements F, Hg, Se and As increased by 0.92%, 0.78%, 0.70% and 0.81%, respectively, in the Datong mining subsidence pool from November 2004 to November 2006. The four elements increased by 1.58%, 1.23%, 1.08% and 0.92%, respectively, in the Xie’er mining subsidence pool and 1.16%, 1.06%, 1.02% and 1.01%, respectively, in the Pansan mining subsidence pool over the same time period. The absolute levels of F, Hg, Se and As in the pool are related to the background levels of the elements. A close relationship between nearby coal mines and power plants and increasing levels of the measured elements is noted.
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