Articles | Volume 30, issue 9
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-2759-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-2759-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Hierarchical sedimentary architecture governs basin-scale solute dispersion: from pre-asymptotic dynamics to uncertainty propagation
Wanli Ren
State Key Laboratory of Geomicrobiology and Environmental Changes, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
Yue Fan
Key Laboratory of Geotechnical Mechanics and Engineering of Ministry of Water Resources, Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute, Wuhan, Hubei, 430010, China
Anwen Pan
State Key Laboratory of Geomicrobiology and Environmental Changes, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
Heng Dai
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
State Key Laboratory of Geomicrobiology and Environmental Changes, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
Jing Yang
School of Land Engineering, Chang'an University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710064, China
Mohamad Reza Soltanian
Departments of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221, USA
Zhenxue Dai
College of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, 266033, China
College of Construction Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130061, China
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Short summary
Using reconstructed 3D basin-scale sedimentary architectures, this study quantifies how hierarchical heterogeneity controls solute dispersion. Results show that macroform-scale lithofacies geometry and connectivity dominate macro-dispersion. Basin systems display a prolonged pre-asymptotic and strongly non-ergodic regime, with a buffering effect that reduces realization variability. The study establishes a transferable framework linking hierarchical architecture to multi-scale dispersion.
Using reconstructed 3D basin-scale sedimentary architectures, this study quantifies how...