Heterogeneity controls on mass transport in the subsurface environment

In recent developments the Lagrangian-based theory for the dispersion of solute plumes in the subsurface has been linked to quantifiable physical attributes of hierarchical stratal architecture in aquifer sediments. The contributions of each level (scale) of the stratal hierarchy can be separately identified and studied within an analytical framework. This facilitates an understanding of which scales are most relevant to explaining contaminant dispersion and therefore are most important to characterize.