Effects of dry fractures on matrix diffusion in unsaturated fractured rocks
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.
- Research Organization:
- Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Lab., CA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 793765
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-49437; R&D Project: 80NB71; TRN: US200208%%51
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 16 Jan 2002
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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