Open AccessScale Dependency of the Effective Matrix Diffusion Coefficient
Author(s) -
Liu H. H.,
Bodvarsson G. S.,
Zhang G.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
vadose zone journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.036
H-Index - 81
ISSN - 1539-1663
DOI - 10.2136/vzj2004.3120
Subject(s) - dependency (uml) , scale (ratio) , tracer , diffusion , matrix (chemical analysis) , effective diffusion coefficient , statistical physics , fracture (geology) , fractal , field (mathematics) , soil science , geology , geotechnical engineering , environmental science , materials science , mathematics , thermodynamics , computer science , physics , mathematical analysis , composite material , artificial intelligence , medicine , radiology , quantum mechanics , nuclear physics , magnetic resonance imaging , pure mathematics
It has been recognized that matrix diffusion is an important process for retarding solute transport in fractured rock. Based on analyses of tracer transport data from a number of field tests, we demonstrate for the first time that the effective matrix‐diffusion coefficient may be scale dependent and generally increases with test scale. A preliminary theoretical explanation of this scale dependency is also presented, based on the hypothesis that solute travel paths within a fracture network are fractals.