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Fluid flow and solute transport within the vadose zone, the unsaturated zone between the land surface and the water table, can be the cause of expanded plumes arising from localized contaminant sources. An understanding of vadose zone processes is, therefore, an essential prerequisite for cost-effective contaminant remediation efforts. In addition, because such features are potential avenues for rapid transport of chemicals from contamination sources to the water table, the presence of fractures and other channel-like openings in the vadose zone poses a particularly significant problem, Conceptual Models of Flow and Transport in the Fractured Vadose Zone is based on the work of a panel established under the auspices of the U.S. National Committee for Rock Mechanics. It emphasizes the importance of conceptual models and goes on to review the conceptual model development, testing, and refinement processes. The book examines fluid flow and transport mechanisms, noting the difficulty of modeling solute transport, and identifies geochemical and environmental tracer data as important components of the modeling process. Finally, the book recommends several areas for continued research.Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary Conceptual Models of Flow and Transport in the Fractured VadoseZone Development of the Conceptual Model of Unsaturated Zone Hydrologyat Yucca Mountain, Nevada Conceptual Model of Vadose-Zone Transport in Fractured, WeatheredShales Evaluation of Conceptual and Quantitative Models of Fluid Flow andChamical Transport in Fractured Media Uniform and Preferential Flow Mechanisms in the Vadose Zone Modeling Macropore Flow in Soils: Field Validation and Use forManagement Purposes Free-Surface Films What Do Drops Do? Surface Wetting and Network Geometry Effects onVadose-Zone Fracture Flow Investigating Flow and Transport in the Fractured Vadose Zone UsingEnvironmental Tracers Lessons from Field Studies at the Apache Leap Research Site inArizona Parameterization and Upscaling in Modeling Flow and Transport inthe Unsaturated Zone of Yucca Mountain Appendix A: Workshop Attendees Appendix B: Invited Presentations Appendix C: Panel Biographies Color Plates