Abstract
Solute transport through fractured media can be described mathematically by combining advective-dispersive transport, which is dominant in the fractures, and diffusive transport, which is usually dominant in the unfractured matrix. Geochemical interaction of the solute with the fracture surfaces and within the matrix can also be included. An analytical solution is presented for calculation of solute transport in a planar fracture coupled with diffusion into the adjacent matrix. The use of the analytical solution is illustrated by simulation of a hypothetical scenario consisting of a single long continuous fracture in a regional ground water flow system. The aperture size, matrix porosity, matrix diffusion coefficient, and distribution coefficient, are important in determining the relative amounts of solute transported in the fracture and stored in the matrix. The significance of matrix diffusion processes in fractured media on ground water geochemistry, interpretations of field tracer tests, and ground wa...
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