Quantifying heterogeneity in variably fractured sedimentary rock using a hydrostructural domain
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| Authors: | Surrette, MJ; Allen, DM |
| Year: | 2008 |
| Journal: | Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 120: 225-237 Article Link (DOI) |
| Title: | Quantifying heterogeneity in variably fractured sedimentary rock using a hydrostructural domain |
| Abstract: | Characterizing permeability at a regional scale where fracture distributions are heterogeneous can be aided by defining hydrostructural domains. A hydrostructural domain approach is applied to a fracture data set for Mayne Island, one of the Gulf Islands in British Columbia, Canada. Fracture domains were defined using changes in fracture intensity, and are represented and modeled using a stochastic, discrete fracture-network approach. Models that statistically honor field data were constructed for representative stations for three hydraulically distinct, hydrostructural domains: "highly" fractured, interbedded mudstone and sandstone (IBMS-SS) (< 10-cm spacing), "less" fractured sandstone (LFSS) (> 1.0-m spacing), and fault and fracture zones (FZ). The highly fractured IBMS-SS and FZ domains have a greater potential porosity compared to the LFSS domain due largely to greater fracture intensities. The two highly fractured domains (IBMS-SS and FZ) have an average permeability, on the order of 10(-13) m(2), due to enhanced fracture-network connectivity. In contrast, the LFSS domain has an average permeability of 10(-14) m(2). The possibility of increased infiltration rates within FZ domains, coupled with a high-storage potential relative to the other domains suggests that fault zones with similar characteristics are likely zones of recharge. As a result, these recharge zones have an increased capacity to store and transmit infiltrated water throughout the interconnected fracture network. This study demonstrates that hydrostructural domain modeling provides a good foundation upon which to simulate flow and transport in regional groundwater resource studies. |
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