preferential pathways
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Abstract Previously, hydrogeologists and petroleum engineers use seepage experiments to measure permeability. This paper develops a novel method to calculate matrix permeability from velocity and attenuation of an ultrasonic S-wave. At first, permeability is derived as a function of frequency when an S-wave scans a fluid-saturated rock. Substituting the permeability into a previous S-wave model gives theoretical velocity and attenuation, in which the nexus parameter is the average distance of aperture representing pores. Fitting the predicted velocity and quality factor against the measured counterparts yields permeability in the full frequency range. For Berea sandstone, the inverted permeability at low frequency (0.0376 Darcy) is comparable to Darcy permeability (0.075 Darcy), confirming that Berea sandstone is homogenous. For Boise sandstone, the inverted permeability at low frequency is 0.0457 Darcy, much lower than Darcy permeability (1 Darcy). When S-wave scans the rocks, its velocity and attenuation are dominated by matrix pore throats and the inverted permeability represents matrix permeability. Unlike Berea sandstone, Boise sandstone has fractures and widely distributed grain diameters. The fractures and the large pores (due to large grain diameter) are preferential pathways that increase Darcy permeability far more than matrix permeability.

Geophysical imaging of free-phase gas (FPG) within aquifers is an emerging method for understanding the mechanisms controlling stray gas migration from oil and gas wells. Crystal Geyser is an unsealed and partially cased well that transports stray CO2 gas to the shallow subsurface. Accumulations of subsurface CO2 FPG near Crystal Geyser have been inferred, but the actual location and dimensions remained unclear. Here, the subsurface FPG distribution surrounding Crystal Geyser was characterized by interpreting 2D electrical resistivity images with previous drilling records and field mapping. An approximately 70-metre-wide FPG plume was located laterally between Crystal Geyser’s conduit and the Little Grand Wash Fault. The FPG plume spanned the vertical extent of approximately 20 to 55 metres below the ground surface, located within the Slick Rock Member sandstone with the relatively low permeability Earthy Member silty sandstone acting as a caprock. The FPG plume was identified from an anomalously high resistivity zone within the Slick Rock Member that was not caused by lateral lithofacies changes or fault displacement. The conceptual FPG migration pathways beneath Crystal Geyser are presented, based on the interpreted FPG distribution from the electrical resistivity images combined with previous site characterization and the principles of buoyant FPG migration. FPG accumulates within the Slick Rock Member by buoyant up-dip migration beneath siltstone capillary barriers of the Earthy Member. FPG leaks to the ground surface within high permeability preferential pathways along the Little Grand Wash Fault and the conduit of Crystal Geyser.

Abstract. Our study investigates interplays between dissolution, precipitation, and transport processes taking place across randomly heterogeneous conductivity domains and the ensuing spatial distribution of preferential pathways. We do so by relying on a collection of computational analyses of reactive transport performed in two-dimensional systems where the (natural) logarithm of conductivity is characterized by various degrees of spatial heterogeneity. Our results document that precipitation and dissolution jointly take place in the system, with the latter mainly occurring along preferential flow paths associated with the conductivity field and the former being observed at locations close to and clearly separated from these. High conductivity values associated with the preferential flow paths tend to further increase in time, giving rise to a self-sustained feedback between transport and reaction processes. The clear separation between regions where dissolution or precipitation takes place is imprinted onto the sample distributions of conductivity which tend to become visibly left skewed with time (with the appearance of a bimodal behavior at some times). The link between conductivity changes and reaction-driven processes promotes the emergence of non-Fickian effective transport features. The latter can be captured through a continuous-time random-walk model where solute travel times are approximated with a truncated power law probability distribution. The parameters of such a model shift towards values associated with increasingly high non-Fickian effective transport behavior as time progresses.

Abstract. Patterns of distinct preferential pathways for fluid flow and solute transport are ubiquitous in heterogeneous, saturated and partially saturated porous media. Yet, the underlying reasons for their emergence, and their characterization and quantification, remain enigmatic. Here we analyze simulations of steady-state fluid flow and solute transport in two-dimensional, heterogeneous saturated porous media with a relatively short correlation length. We demonstrate that the downstream concentration of solutes in preferential pathways implies a downstream declining entropy in the transverse distribution of solute transport pathways. This reflects the associated formation and downstream steepening of a concentration gradient transversal to the main flow direction. With an increasing variance of the hydraulic conductivity field, stronger transversal concentration gradients emerge, which is reflected in an even smaller entropy of the transversal distribution of transport pathways. By defining “self-organization” through a reduction in entropy (compared to its maximum), our findings suggest that a higher variance and thus randomness of the hydraulic conductivity coincides with stronger macroscale self-organization of transport pathways. Simulations at lower driving head differences revealed an even stronger self-organization with increasing variance. While these findings appear at first sight striking, they can be explained by recognizing that emergence of spatial self-organization requires, in light of the second law of thermodynamics, that work be performed to establish transversal concentration gradients. The emergence of steeper concentration gradients requires that even more work be performed, with an even higher energy input into an open system. Consistently, we find that the energy input necessary to sustain steady-state fluid flow and tracer transport grows with the variance of the hydraulic conductivity field as well. Solute particles prefer to move through pathways of very high power in the transversal flow component, and these pathways emerge in the vicinity of bottlenecks of low hydraulic conductivity. This is because power depends on the squared spatial head gradient, which is in these simulations largest in regions of low hydraulic conductivity.

Electrical activation during atrial fibrillation (AF) appears chaotic and disorganised, which impedes characterisation of the underlying substrate and treatment planning. While globally chaotic, there may be local preferential activation pathways that represent potential ablation targets. This study aimed to identify preferential activation pathways during AF and predict the acute ablation response when these are targeted by pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). In patients with persistent AF (n = 14), simultaneous biatrial contact mapping with basket catheters was performed pre-ablation and following each ablation strategy (PVI, roof, and mitral lines). Unipolar wavefront activation directions were averaged over 10 s to identify preferential activation pathways. Clinical cases were classified as responders or non-responders to PVI during the procedure. Clinical data were augmented with a virtual cohort of 100 models. In AF pre-ablation, pathways originated from the pulmonary vein (PV) antra in PVI responders (7/7) but not in PVI non-responders (6/6). We proposed a novel index that measured activation waves from the PV antra into the atrial body. This index was significantly higher in PVI responders than non-responders (clinical: 16.3 vs. 3.7%, p = 0.04; simulated: 21.1 vs. 14.1%, p = 0.02). Overall, this novel technique and proof of concept study demonstrated that preferential activation pathways exist during AF. Targeting patient-specific activation pathways that flowed from the PV antra to the left atrial body using PVI resulted in AF termination during the procedure. These PV activation flow pathways may correspond to the presence of drivers in the PV regions.

A complex evaluation of agonist bias at G-protein coupled receptors at the level of G-protein classes and isoforms including non-preferential ones is essential for advanced agonist screening and drug development. Molecular crosstalk in downstream signaling and a lack of sufficiently sensitive and selective methods to study direct coupling with G-protein of interest complicates this analysis. We performed binding and functional analysis of 11 structurally different agonists on prepared fusion proteins of individual subtypes of muscarinic receptors and non-canonical promiscuous α-subunit of G16 protein to study agonist bias. We have demonstrated that fusion of muscarinic receptors with Gα16 limits access of other competitive Gα subunits to the receptor, and thus enables us to study activation of Gα16 mediated pathway more specifically. Our data demonstrated agonist-specific activation of G16 pathway among individual subtypes of muscarinic receptors and revealed signaling bias of oxotremorine towards Gα16 pathway at the M2 receptor and at the same time impaired Gα16 signaling of iperoxo at M5 receptors. Our data have shown that fusion proteins of muscarinic receptors with α-subunit of G-proteins can serve as a suitable tool for studying agonist bias, especially at non-preferential pathways.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) releases from leaks and spills next to a large government building occurred over several decades with the most recent event occurring 20 years ago. In response to a perceived conventional vapor intrusion (VI) issue a sub-slab depressurization system (SSDS) was installed 6 years ago. The SSDS is operating within design limits and has achieved building TCE vapor concentration reductions. However, subsequent periodic TCE vapor spikes based on daily HAPSITE™ measurements indicate additional source(s). Two rounds of smoke tests conducted in 2017 and 2018 involved introduction of smoke into a sanitary sewer and storm drain manholes located on effluent lines coming from the building until smoke was observed exiting system vents on the roof. Smoke testing revealed many leaks in both the storm sewer and sanitary sewer systems within the building. Sleuthing of the VI source term using a portable HAPSITE™ indicate elevated vapor TCE levels correspond with observed smoke emanation from utility lines. In some instances, smoke odors were perceived but no leak or suspect pipe was identified suggesting the odor originates from an unidentified pipe located behind or enclosed in a wall. Sleuthing activities also found building roof materials explain some of the elevated TCE levels on the 2nd floor. A relationship was found between TCE concentrations in the roof truss area, plenum space above 2nd floor offices, and breathing zone of 2nd floor offices. Installation of an external blower in the roof truss space has greatly reduced TCE levels in the plenum and office spaces. Preferential VI pathways and unexpected source terms may be overlooked mechanisms as compared to conventional VI.

Abstract. Patterns of distinct preferential pathways for fluid flow and solute transport are ubiquitous in heterogeneous, saturated and partially saturated porous media. Yet, the underlying reasons for their emergence, and their characterization and quantification, remain enigmatic. Here we analyze simulations of steady state fluid flow and solute transport in two-dimensional, heterogeneous saturated porous media with a relatively short correlation length. We demonstrate that the downstream concentration of solutes in preferential pathways implies a downstream declining entropy in the transverse distribution of solute transport pathways. This reflects the associated formation and downstream steepening of a concentration gradient transversal to the main flow direction. With an increasing variance of the hydraulic conductivity field, stronger transversal concentration gradients emerge, which is reflected in an even smaller entropy of the transversal distribution of transport pathways. By defining "self-organization" through a reduction in entropy (compared to its maximum), our findings suggest that a higher variance and thus randomness of the hydraulic conductivity coincides with stronger macroscale self-organization of transport pathways. While this finding appears at first sight striking, it can be explained by recognizing that emergence of spatial self-organization requires, in light of the second law of thermodynamics, that work be performed to establish transversal concentration gradients. The emergence of steeper concentration gradients requires that even more work be performed, with an even higher energy input into an open system. Consistently, we find that the energy input necessary to sustain steady-state fluid flow and tracer transport grows with the variance of the hydraulic conductivity field as well. Solute particles prefer to move through pathways of very high power, and these pathways pass through bottlenecks of low hydraulic conductivity. This is because power depends on the squared spatial head gradient, which is in these simulations largest in regions of low hydraulic conductivity.