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Examining the utility of epoxy replicas of single, natural fractures in dolostone for visualization experiments

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Abstract

Epoxy casts were created of five naturally occurring fractures in dolostone and aperture distribution was measured using a light attenuation method. The optically determined aperture matrices showed a skew towards smaller apertures, with the larger models demonstrating a lognormal distribution and the smaller models a normal distribution. Surface variograms of each display a significant degree of anisotropy. The models had spatial correlation ranges between 1.8 and 5 cm. The optical mean aperture, mean hydraulic aperture and mass-balance aperture were all determined. In addition, the coefficient of variation (C v) and anisotropy ratio (AR) for each model was determined to compare their predictions with the actual tracer behavior in each of the models. In all cases, the hydraulically determined mean aperture was the same order of magnitude as the optically determined mean aperture. The mass-balance-derived mean aperture differed significantly from the optical mean aperture based on the degree of channeling in the model. However, neither the C v nor the AR correlated well to the actual behavior of the tracers, suggesting they are insufficient to predict void connectivity. Overall the epoxy replicas performed moderately well and can be well characterized for use in studies where visualization is of primary importance.

Résumé

Des empreintes d’époxy ont été créées sur cinq fractures naturelles d’une dolomite et la distribution de l’ouverture a été analysée en utilisant une méthode d’atténuation de la lumière. L’ouverture des matrices déterminée optiquement montre une obliquité vers de plus petites ouvertures, suivant une distribution log-normale selon des modèles larges et une distribution normale selon des modèles plus petits. Les variogrammes de surface montrent un certain degré d’anisotropie. L’ouverture optique moyenne, l’ouverture moyenne hydraulique et la balance des masses de l’ouverture ont toutes été déterminées. Par ailleurs les coefficients de variation (C y) et les rapports d’anisotropie (AR) pour chacun des modèles ont été déterminés de manière à comparer leurs prédictions avec le comportement du traceur dans chacun des modèles. Dans tous les cas l’ouverture déterminée hydrauliquement a été de la même amplitude que l’ouverture moyenne optique. L’ouverture moyenne dérivée de la balance des masses diffère significativement de l’ouverture moyenne optique basée sur le degré de canalisation du modèle. Cependant, ni le C y ni le AR furent bien corrélés avec le comportement du traceur, suggérant qu’il y a insuffisance à prédire la connectivité des vides. Pour finir les réplications époxy permettent une caractérisation bonne dans les études ou la visualisation est de première importance.

Resumen

Moldes de epoxy fueron creados de cinco fracturas formadas naturalmente en dolomía y la distribución de apertura fue medida usando un método de atenuación de luz. Las matrices de apertura determinadas ópticamente mostraron una oblicuidad hacia fracturas más pequeñas, con modelos más grandes mostrando una distribución lognormal y los modelos más pequeños una distribución normal. Variogramas de superficie de cada modelo muestran un significante grado de anisotropía. Los modelos tuvieron una correlación espacial que varía entre 1.8 y 5 centímetros. La apertura promedio óptica, apertura promedio hidráulica y apertura por balance de masas fueron todas determinadas. Además, el coeficiente de variación (C v) y radio de anisotropía (AR) fueron determinados para cada modelo, para comparar sus predicciones con el comportamiento real del trazador en cada uno de los modelos. En todos los casos la apertura promedio determinada hidráulicamente fue del mismo orden de magnitud que la apertura promedio determinada ópticamente. La apertura promedio derivada por balance de masas varió significantemente de la apartura promedio óptica dependiendo del grado de abertura en el modelo. Sin embargo, ni el C v ni el AR se correlacionaron bien con el comportamiento real de los trazadores, sugiriendo que son insuficientes para predecir la conectividad intersticial. En general las réplicas de epoxy se realizaron moderadamente bien y pueden ser bien caracterizadas en estudios donde la visualización es de importancia principal.

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Acknowledgements

The initial stages of this work were performed at the University at Buffalo with pilot grants from the Mark Diamond Fund and the Geological Society of America. A Research Incentive Grant from the Research Foundation at Buffalo State College assisted in the completion of this study. The authors would like to thank the above organizations and to thank the reviewers and editors who have helped bring this article to press.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Earth Science and Science Education Department, Buffalo State College, 217 Science Building, Buffalo, NY, 14222, USA

    Elisa Bergslien

  2. Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, 2800 Faucette Drive, Rm. 1125 Jordan Hall, Raleigh, NC, 27695-8208, USA

    John Fountain

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  1. Elisa Bergslien
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  2. John Fountain
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Correspondence to Elisa Bergslien.

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Bergslien, E., Fountain, J. Examining the utility of epoxy replicas of single, natural fractures in dolostone for visualization experiments. Hydrogeol J 16, 43–53 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-007-0223-8

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