Editing Longwall mining (section)

=== Fracturing and water quality ===
Longwall mining can result in geological disruptions in the rockbed, and can in turn affect water movement and result in water moving away from the surface, through the mined area, and into the [[aquifer]]. A resulting loss in surface water can negatively impact riparian ecosystems.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://australiancoalalliance.com/Information/TEC%20LCM%20Report_final.pdf|title=IMPACTS OF LONGWALL COAL MINING ON THE ENVIRONMENT IN NEW SOUTH WALES|date=January 2007|work=Total Environment Centre|access-date=February 14, 2019}}</ref>

On top of this, if there are present dams near to the longwall mining site, this could doubly impact the [[Riparian zone|riparian ecosystems]] as it would have a reduced inflow rate as well as the loss to the underlying rock fracturing.<ref name=":1" />

As of 2014, measures were taken by the Australian government to mitigate water impacts from longwall mining. Legislative assemblies have called for action to improve mine infrastructure to minimize disturbances.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://iesc.environment.gov.au/publications/subsidence-longwall-coal-mining|title=Fact sheet - Subsidence from longwall coal mining {{!}} Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development|website=iesc.environment.gov.au|access-date=2019-04-10}}</ref>

As a result of bedrock cracking from mining beneath waters such as lakes or rivers, there have been groundwater losses of varying extents. Mines within a few hundred meters of the surface are susceptible to receiving great inputs of water from these bodies. Moreover, after mining interference disturbing the natural landscape near the mines, the natural water flow paths can be redirected which results in additional erosion across a stream or river bank. Additional mining in concentrated areas continuously move these water flow paths, which take years to return to their original states.<ref name=":5"/>