Fractal geometry of fingering front morphologies of water and NAPL flow in homogeneous porous media: A comparison study.

Fingering front morphologies for water and non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) infiltrating into homogeneous unsaturated porous media were quantitatively described based on the fractal assumption. Correlations of fractal dimensions with physical properties of the fluids were studied. The implications of fractal dimensions for environmental systems are further discussed. Fingering front morphologies had fractal properties, and diesels which with high capillary numbers experienced high fractal dimensions than water. Fractal dimension was suggested as an indicator for dye coverage and infiltration depth, which represent pollution area and depth, respectively. The pollution areas showed positive correlations with fractal dimensions while the infiltration depths showed negative correlations. This information is useful for contaminated soil risk management and important in the effective design of recovery and remediation schemes.