A simulation study on solute transport characteristics under preferential permeability conditions

WANG Xin; CHENG Yuxin; HU Jiachen; LIU Lei; WANG Junguang

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202507017

Volume 43 Issue 7

Jul. 2025

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WANG Xin, CHENG Yuxin, HU Jiachen, LIU Lei, WANG Junguang. A simulation study on solute transport characteristics under preferential permeability conditions[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(7): 159-166. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202507017

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WANG Xin, CHENG Yuxin, HU Jiachen, LIU Lei, WANG Junguang. A simulation study on solute transport characteristics under preferential permeability conditions[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(7): 159-166. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202507017

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A simulation study on solute transport characteristics under preferential permeability conditions

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202507017

WANG Xin^1,2,3,
CHENG Yuxin^2,3,
HU Jiachen⁴,
LIU Lei^{1,2,3
,
,},
WANG Junguang¹

1. College of Mechanics and Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, Fuxin 123000, China;
2. Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China;
3. State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Wuhan 430064, China;
4. Shanghai SUS Environment Co. Ltd., Shanghai 201700, China

Received Date: 2024-11-21
Accepted Date: 2025-01-20
Rev Recd Date: 2025-01-05

Available Online: 2025-09-11

Abstract

Abstract

The heterogeneity of subsurface media profoundly influences solute transport processes， posing a critical challenge in groundwater pollution control and sustainable water resource management. Subsurface heterogeneity manifests through features such as preferential flow paths， matrix diffusion， and stagnant zones， all of which contribute to non-uniform transport behavior. These complexities challenge traditional single-porosity models， which assume homogeneous properties and uniform transport， often leading to inaccurate predictions of solute migration. Recognizing these limitations， this study develops and applies a dual-permeability model （DPM） and an improved dual-permeability model （DPMIM） to enhance the understanding and simulation of solute transport in heterogeneous conditions.The DPM divides the subsurface into two domains： fractures， which serve as primary conduits for rapid flow， and the matrix， where slower transport is dominated by diffusion and retention processes. This dual-domain approach captures the interplay between fast and slow flow regimes， providing a more accurate representation of solute transport in fractured and heterogeneous media. Building upon this foundation， the DPMIM incorporates matrix dead zones，stagnant or low-permeability regions within the matrix that can temporarily trap solutes. These dead zones are critical for simulating prolonged solute retention， delayed release， and extended concentration tailing， all of which are observed in real-world systems but poorly represented in traditional models.Field-scale injection-withdrawal tracer tests were conducted in a heterogeneous subsurface environment to validate the models. These tests generated detailed datasets of solute transport dynamics， which were used to compare the performance of the DPM， DPMIM， and conventional single-porosity models. The results revealed that both the DPM and DPMIM significantly outperformed single-porosity models， with the DPMIM achieving the highest accuracy in simulating observed transport behaviors. Notably， the DPMIM effectively captured the extended decay of solute concentrations，a phenomenon driven by matrix dead zone effects，which is essential for understanding long-term solute retention and release in heterogeneous systems.Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the impact of key model parameters， including the permeability ratio between fracture and matrix， the fracture domain volume fraction， and the exchange coefficient governing mass transfer between the two domains. These analyses highlight the critical role of parameter calibration in ensuring model reliability and propose strategies for optimizing model performance in large-scale applications.By integrating theoretical advancements with field validation， this study establishes a comprehensive framework for understanding solute transport in complex geological systems. The findings offer valuable insights for designing effective groundwater pollution control strategies and inform the development of sustainable water resource management practices in the face of increasing environmental pressures. Furthermore， the dual-permeability modeling approach established in this study lays the groundwork for future research on solute transport in other heterogeneous systems， such as karst aquifers， fractured rock formations， and urban groundwater basins.
- dual-permeability model,
- matrix dead zones,
- solute transport,
- preferential flow,
- numerical simulation

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References(22)

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