On matrix diffusion: formulations, solution methods and qualitative effects

 Matrix diffusion has become widely recognized as an important transport mechanism. Unfortunately, accounting for matrix diffusion complicates solute-transport simulations. This problem has led to simplified formulations, partly motivated by the solution method. As a result, some confusion has been generated about how to properly pose the problem. One of the objectives of this work is to find some unity among existing formulations and solution methods. In doing so, some asymptotic properties of matrix diffusion are derived. Specifically, early-time behavior (short tests) depends only on φ _m ² R _m D _m  / L _m ², whereas late-time behavior (long tracer tests) depends only on φ _m R _m , and not on matrix diffusion coefficient or block size and shape. The latter is always true for mean arrival time. These properties help in: (a) analyzing the qualitative behavior of matrix diffusion; (b) explaining one paradox of solute transport through fractured rocks (the apparent dependence of porosity on travel time); (c) discriminating between matrix diffusion and other problems (such as kinetic sorption or heterogeneity); and (d) describing identifiability problems and ways to overcome them. Received, October 1997 · Revised, November 1997 · Accepted, December 1997     

Migration of recharge waters downgradient from the Santa Catalina Mountains into the Tucson basin aquifer, Arizona, USA

 Aquifers in the arid alluvial basins of the southwestern U.S. are recharged predominantly by infiltration from streams and playas within the basins and by water entering along the margins of the basins. The Tucson basin of southeastern Arizona is such a basin. The Santa Catalina Mountains form the northern boundary of this basin and receive more than twice as much precipitation (ca. 700 mm/year) as does the basin itself (ca. 300 mm/year). In this study environmental isotopes were employed to investigate the migration of precipitation basinward through shallow joints and fractures. Water samples were obtained from springs and runoff in the Santa Catalina Mountains and from wells in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Stable isotopes (δD and δ¹⁸O) and thermonuclear-bomb-produced tritium enabled qualitative characterization of flow paths and flow velocities. Stable-isotope measurements show no direct altitude effect. Tritium values indicate that although a few springs and wells discharge pre-bomb water, most springs discharge waters from the 1960s or later. Received, February 1997 · Revised, September 1997 · Accepted, September 1997     

Long-wave seismic anisotropy of heterogeneous reservoirs

Borehole logs often show considerable variation over small lengths, consistent with fine layering of the formation. Elastic upscaling allows layering on a fine length scale to be replaced by thicker, homogeneous equivalent transversely isotropic layers, thus creating a model with far fewer layers. In this paper, the effect of inclusions of finite lateral extent on elastic upscaling is examined. For inclusions with a small thickness to width ratio, Backus averaging gives a good approximation to the long-wavelength elastic properties of the medium. However, for larger thickness to width ratios, the anisotropy of the medium can be significantly reduced. For inclusions that are long in comparison to their width, azimuthal anisotropy may result if the inclusions show a preferential orientation. This could result from the presence of flow during deposition. The azimuthal anisotropy increases with increasing thickness to width ratio of the inclusions, and vanishes when this ratio is zero. For larger thickness to width ratios, the magnitude of the azimuthal anisotropy may be of similar magnitude to that commonly seen in sedimentary basins. Azimuthal anisotropy is usually attributed to the presence of aligned fractures within the formation. The present results suggest a further source of azimuthal anisotropy that may be significant.     

综合物探方法寻找深部隐伏铀矿床的研究

氡气测量和土壤天然热释光法(TL)是铀矿找矿勘探中寻找深部隐伏铀矿体的二种地球物理方法。以往的经验表明，如用其中一种方法常有多解性问题。将这二种方法应用于下庄扩大330矿床的研究工作中，共测量了28条剖面，其中三条已知剖面，25条未知剖面，并对一些未知剖面进行了验证。研究结果表明，单一的氧气异常反应了构造在地表的出路位置，而两种方法的重叠异常较准确地反应了深部铀矿体的位置。由于这种综合方法成本较低，找矿效果较好，所以在寻找深部隐伏铀矿床、扩大铀矿床范围的工作中是值得借鉴的方法。     

天然锰钾矿氧化降解水体中的苯胺研究

天然锰钾矿去除水体中苯胺的影响因素及其机制的研究表明，酸度是影响苯胺降解反应的主要因素，温度、振荡速度、矿物用量、矿物粒径及电介质浓度都不同程度地影响苯胺的降解；当介质pH值为3．0时，160～200目锰钾矿用量为10g／L、反应温度为25℃、振荡速度为200r／min、反应4h可以使50mL浓度为20mg／L的苯胺去除95％，达到工业废水一级排放标准；天然锰钾矿在酸性条件下具有强氧化性。可以使苯胺逐步降解为无机物质。以上结果都说明天然锰钾矿降解苯胺废水是一种经济有效的方法。     

Layered convection with an interface at a depth of 1000 km: stability and generation of slab-like downwellings

We investigate the stability of hypothetical layered convection in the mantle and the mechanisms how the downwelling structures originating in the lower layer are generated. The stability is studied by means of numerical simulations of the double-diffusive convection in a 2D spherical model with radially dependent viscosity. We demonstrate that the stability of the layering strongly depends not only on the density contrast between the layers but also on the heating mode and the viscosity profile. In the case of the classical Boussinesq model with an internally heated lower layer, the density contrast of about 4% between the compositionally different materials is needed for the layered flow to be maintained. The inclusion of the adiabatic heating/cooling in the model reduces the temperature contrast between the two layers and, thus, enhances the stability of the layering. In this case, a density contrast of 2-3% is sufficient to preserve the layered convection on a time scale of billions of years. The generation of the downwelling structures in the lower layer occurs via mechanical or thermal coupling scenarios. If the viscosity dependent on depth and average temperature at each depth is considered, the low viscosity zone develops at a boundary between the two convecting layers which suppresses mechanical coupling. Then the downwelling structures originating in the lower layer develop beneath upper layer subductions, thus resembling continuous slab-like structures observed by seismic tomography.     

溪洛渡水电站坝址区地下水流动系统分析

针对溪洛渡巨型水利枢纽工程在玄武岩坝址区的勘探中遇到的较为复杂的水文地质异常现象，如冷水与热水、裂隙水“承压”现象、偶遇大水量突水点等异常现象，通过运用地下水流动系统理论，构建了坝区地下水流动系统模式；揭示了深部灰岩水越层排泄和玄武岩潜水混合排泄带的特征，以及浅部以层间层内裂隙发育为主的非均质玄武岩含水介质的特点；阐明了坝区地下水异常现象的成因与条件。     

鄂尔多斯盆地彭滩-杨井地区长2储层的成岩作用

彭滩-杨井地区长2主力层砂岩岩石学、成岩作用、孔隙类型研究表明：该区长2储层岩石类型以长石砂岩和岩屑长石砂岩为主,成分和结构成熟度均较低,主要经历的成岩作用有压实作用、胶结作用、交代作用和溶解作用。根据砂岩成岩作用特征,结合其埋藏深度、岩石古地温、有机质成熟度等分析资料及岩石结构、孔隙类型特征,长2主力层主要处于晚成岩A期成岩阶段。     

Hydrogeological interactions between fault zones and alluvial aquifers in regional flow systems

The hydrological influence of fault zones in tectonic areas is usually difficult to depict from field data. Numerical simulation allows representation of such flow systems and an estimation of flow lines and rates. This paper reports on simulations of the groundwater flow in a range‐and‐basin area affected by a regional fault zone, which may drain or recharge an overlaying alluvial aquifer. Different hydraulic conductivity values for the range rocks, the fault‐zone, and the sedimentary infill of the basin are considered, as well as different fault‐zone widths and boundary conditions. Results show that upward and downward fluxes develop in the upper part of the fault zone, controlled by the action of the alluvial aquifer, influencing the recharge of the sedimentary basin. This paper shows the hydrological efficiency of fault zones as preferential flow; it also analyses the constraints that determine groundwater recharge to the surrounding basins. These results contribute to the understanding of hydrogeological dynamics in tectonic areas. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Variably saturated groundwater modelling for optimizing managed aquifer recharge using trench infiltration

Spreading‐basin methods have resulted in more than 130 million cubic metres of recharge to the unconfined Navajo Sandstone of southern Utah in the past decade, but infiltration rates have slowed in recent years because of reduced hydraulic gradients and (or) clogging. Trench infiltration is a promising alternative technique for increasing recharge and minimizing evaporation. This paper uses a variably saturated flow model to further investigate the relative importance of the following variables on rates of trench infiltration to unconfined aquifers: saturated hydraulic conductivity, trench spacing and dimensions, initial water‐table depth, alternate wet/dry periods, and number of parallel trenches. Modelling results showed (1) increased infiltration with higher hydraulic conductivity, deeper initial water tables, and larger spacing between parallel trenches, (2) deeper or wider trenches do not substantially increase infiltration, (3) alternating wet/dry periods result in less overall infiltration than keeping the trenches continuously full, and (4) larger numbers of parallel trenches within a fixed area increases infiltration but with a diminishing effect as trench spacing becomes tighter. An empirical equation for estimating expected trench infiltration rates as a function of hydraulic conductivity and initial water‐table depth was derived and can be used for evaluating feasibility of trench infiltration in other hydrogeologic settings. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.