Impact of the geological structure on the development of anthropogenic-karstic reservoirs diverse hydrologically and hydrochemically

The deep exploitation of mineral deposits is carried out in many areas around the world. However, one of its negative consequences is surface deformations. These may be discontinuous deformations (sinkholes) or continuous deformations (subsidence basins). Under specific hydrogeological conditions, these forms are inundated, and thus anthropogenic reservoirs are formed. In some post-mining areas, the number of such reservoirs is so large that they are referred to as “anthropogenic lake districts”. Depending on the geological structure of the deposit and the mining technique, these reservoirs may have different morphometric parameters. Moreover, they may show various hydrological conditions and physicochemical properties of their waters. The article describes a unique group of anthropogenic water reservoirs created due to the flooding of deep salt mines on the Solotvyno mining field. Although small in terms of the area, it includes a group of anthropogenic water reservoirs highly diverse in terms of their genetics, hydrology and hydrochemistry. Some of them represent a unique type of meromictic reservoirs. This research shows the direction in which water conditions may change in other mining areas with significant surface deformation across the globe.