Open AccessEffects of dry fractures on matrix diffusion in unsaturated fractured rocks
Author(s) -
Yongkoo Seol,
HuiHai Liu,
G.S. Bodvarsson
Publication year - 2002
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/793765
Subject(s) - diffusion , matrix (chemical analysis) , fracture (geology) , classification of discontinuities , flow (mathematics) , geology , geotechnical engineering , mechanics , materials science , mineralogy , composite material , mathematics , thermodynamics , physics , mathematical analysis
Matrix diffusion has been recognized as an important mechanism affecting solute transport through unsaturated fractured rock, where a significant fraction of the fracture network remains relatively dry and inactive in conducting liquid flow. This simulation study shows that dry fractures act as strong diffusion barriers to solute transport when such fractures divide the matrix into discrete blocks. Where fracture surface roughness causes some regions of direct contact between matrix blocks separated by a dry fracture, the contacts of the matrix blocks provide conduits for liquid flow and molecular diffusion across dry fractures. Simulation results indicate that the presence of dry fractures and their discontinuities considerably affect solute transport in unsaturated fractured rocks