Non-Fickian transport through two-dimensional rough fractures: Assessment and prediction

Abstract

Non-Fickian transport ubiquitously occurs across all scales within fractured geological media. Detailed characterization of non-Fickian transport through single fractures is thus critical for predicting the fate of solutes and other fluid-borne entities through fractured media. Our direct numerical simulations of solute transport through two-dimensional rough-walled fractures showed early arrival and heavy tailing in breakthrough curves (BTCs), which are salient characteristics of non-Fickian transport. Analyses for dispersion coefficients (DADE) using the standard advection-dispersion equation (ADE) led to errors which increased linearly with fracture heterogeneity. Estimated Taylor dispersion coefficients deviated from estimated DADE even at higher Peclet numbers. Alternatively, we used continuous time random walk (CTRW) model with truncated power law transition rate probability to characterize the non-Fickian transport. CTRW modeling markedly and consistently improved fits to the BTCs relative to those fitted with ADE solutions. The degree of deviation of transport from Fickian to non-Fickian is captured by the parameter β of the truncated power law. We found that β is proportional to fracture heterogeneity. We also found that the CTRW transport velocity can be predicted based on the flow velocity. Along with the ability to predict β, this is a major step toward prediction of transport through CTRW using measurable physical properties.