Do Simple Analytical Models Capture Complex Fractured Bedrock Hydraulics? Oscillatory Flow Tests Suggest Not

Fractured sedimentary bedrock aquifers represent complex flow systems that may contain fast, fracture-dominated flow paths and slower, porous media-dominated flow paths. Thus, characterizing the dynamics of flow and transport through these aquifers remains a fundamental hydrogeologic challenge. Recent studies have demonstrated the utility of a novel hydraulic testing approach, oscillatory flow testing, in field settings to characterize single bedrock fractures embedded in low-porosity sedimentary bedrock. These studies employed an idealized analytical model assuming Darcian flow through a nondeforming, constant-aperture, nonleaky fracture for data interpretation, and reported period-dependent effective fracture flow parameters. Here, we present the application of oscillatory flow testing across a range of frequencies and inter-well spacings on a fracture embedded in poorly cemented sedimentary bedrock with considerable primary porosity at the Field Site for Research in Fractured Sedimentary Rock. Consistent with previous studies, we show an apparent period-dependence in returned flow parameters, with hydraulic diffusivity decreasing and storativity increasing with increasing oscillation period, when assuming an idealized fracture conceptual model. We present simple analyses that examine non-Darcian flow and borehole storage effects as potential test design artifacts and a simple analytical model that examines fluid leakage to the surrounding host rock as a potential hydraulic mechanism that might contribute to the period-dependent flow parameters. These analyses represent a range of conceptual assumptions about fracture behavior during hydraulic testing, none of which account for the measured responses during oscillatory flow testing, leading us to argue that other hydraulic processes (e.g., aperture heterogeneity and/or fracture hydromechanics) are necessary to accurately represent pressure propagation through fractured sedimentary bedrock.

Automated summary

Fractured sedimentary bedrock aquifers are complex flow systems with fast fractures and slow porous media-dominated flow paths. Previous studies have used oscillatory flow testing to characterize single bedrock fractures but relied on an idealized analytical model. This study extends the testing to fractured sedimentary bedrock and suggests that other hydraulic processes are needed to accurately represent pressure propagation.