A number of physical (e.g. flow and transport), chemical (e.g. red-ox reactions) and biological (e.g. bio-mineralization) mechanisms critically control the fate of geologic media where rocks, liquids, gases and microbes are in close interactions. The common feature of these processes is heterogeneity and the different scale at which they impact the natural host medium. A wide range of innovative methods have recently emerged, from laboratory to field, that are capable of quantifying the physical, chemical and biological properties of heterogeneous structures at different scales, including: (hydro)geophysical methods, innovative sensors or laboratory imaging techniques.

The objective of this session is to discuss innovative methods for the quantification of relevant processes such as flow, transport, chemically driven or biologically mediated processes in heterogeneous porous and fractured media. Contributions may include, for example, imaging, advanced in-situ single- and/or cross-borehole hydraulic tests, hydrogeophysical techniques, strategies for borehole/borehole interval sealing. We particularly encourage integrative multi-physic methods, i.e. hydraulic, chemical or heat methods that elucidate heterogeneity of flow, transport and related processes. Ideas for future strategies related to experimental methods and interpretation of existing data are welcomed.