Three-dimensional saltwater-freshwater fingering in porous media: contrast agent MRI as basis for numerical simulations.
This study investigated miscible fingering phenomena in a saturated porous medium due solely to fluid density differences. The objective was to determine dissolved salt concentrations in the porous medium and, thus, local fluid density with high temporal resolution and covering substantial volume. A magnetic resonance imaging method, which can achieve this goal by adding Cu(II)SO(4) to salt solutions, has been developed. This method was applied here to observe and quantify three-dimensional miscible fingering for the initial unstable layering of saltwater above freshwater. Additionally, characteristic properties were defined and evaluated to facilitate a more meaningful comparison with numerical simulations.
Oswald
Sascha E
SE
Hydrogeology Department, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany. sascha.oswald@ufz.de
Spiegel
Marcus A
MA
Kinzelbach
Wolfgang
W
D003198:Computer Simulation; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D016062:Porosity; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D014872:Water Movements
D003287:Contrast Media; D014867:Water