Geological support for coordinated exploitation damage reduction of carbon-based resources in the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River basin

The middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River basin serve as a significant energy resource enrichment zone in China, possessing substantial reserves of carbon-based resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas. With the sustained growth of China's energy demand and the progressive depletion of resources in traditional energy production areas in the eastern region, this area has evolved into a pivotal strategic zone for safeguarding national energy security. Currently, the intensifying contradiction between large-scale, high-intensity, and prolonged mining activities and the region's complex and fragile ecological environment has significantly constrained the secure exploitation of carbon-based resources and the sustainable development of the regional economy and society. Focusing on the synergistic evolution mechanisms and damage effects of geological structure-hydrological cycle-ecological environment during resource exploitation, and based on the concept of systems science, this study proposes the scientific connotation, key issues, and research framework for geological support of coordinated exploitation of superimposed carbon-based resources at the basin scale. The main contents arc as follows. Conduct systematic study the spatial distribution patterns and coupling relationships between carbon-based resources (including coal and coal series resources, oil and gas resources, and biomass) and eco-environmental-hydrogeological systems at the basin scale. Clarify the baseline characteristics of pre-exploitation geological conditions and multi-sphere (such as atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere) structural elements. Analyze the spatiotemporal evolution patterns of geological conditions and the dynamic response characteristics of multi-sphere structure-function during superimposed resource exploitation. Reveal the feedback mechanisms among geological occurrence conditions, resource exploitation disturbances, and eco-environmental damage. Investigate the spatiotemporal multi-source information fusion and active-passive collaborative monitoring methods for deep-shallow-surface geological structures and extract multi-dimensional dynamic information on geological structures, hydrological cycle processes, and ecological elements under resource development disturbances. Construct a basin-scale multi-sphere structure-function coupling evolution model, develop an intelligent prediction and comprehensive evaluation platform, and achieve whole-process dynamic monitoring and trend prediction of the synergistic evolution of geological-hydrological-ccological multi-systems during superimposed carbon-based resource exploitation. Propose an optimized allocation strategy for coordinated development of oil-gas, coal, and biomass resources based on the geological occurrence characteristics and spatial distribution patterns of superimposed carbon-based resources at the basin scale. Develop damage mitigation engineering technologies that harmonize resource exploitation with basin hydro-ecological environments. Construct a large-scale, diversified, and functional comprehensive utilization model for underground spaces created by resource exploitation. Establish a full life-cycle geological support and damage mitigation strategy with corresponding engineering technology systems, encompassing the "pre-exploitation, during-exploitation, and post-exploitation" phases. The research can provide scientific guidance for secure and efficient resource extraction, thereby supporting the implementation of the national strategy for ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River basin.