Multi-component reactive transport in near-saturated deformable porous media
Abstract. This study develops a hydro–mechanical–chemical (HMC) framework for simulating reactive solute migration in near-saturated, deformable porous media. The model couples the pore-water mass balance, force equilibrium, and advection–dispersion equations, and further incorporates a flexible geochemical reaction module to address both single-reaction and multi-component, multi-mineral systems. Numerical results indicate that deformation, mechanical loading, saturation, and mineral reactions jointly control the distribution and evolution of the solute. Compression and stronger mechanical loads accelerate solute transport in the early stage but later hinder migration as the pore structure tightens. Moreover, reduced saturation promotes concentration build-up by enhancing advective transport and limiting the ability of the aqueous phase to dilute accumulated solutes. The framework improves the predictive capability for long-term plume behaviour and mineral alteration in reactive porous systems where mechanical, hydraulic, and geochemical processes interact.
General comments
Good research on contaminant transport in porous media that needs some improvement and further detail. See my specific comments, they will improve the potential new version of the manuscript.
Specific comments
Line 23….“has been the most widely applied framework in the field”. Last words not backed up by references. Add these papers that incorporate discussion on evidence of the Fick’s law in the field:
- Agbotui, P.Y., Firouzbehi, F., Medici G. 2025. Review of effective porosity in sandstone aquifers: insights for representation of contaminant transport. Sustainability 17, no. 14 (2025): 6469.
- Parker, B.L., Cherry, J.A., Wanner, P. 2022. Determining effective diffusion coefficients of chlorohydrocarbons in natural clays: unique results from highly resolved controlled release field experiments. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 250, 104075.
Line 30. This sentence does not work as it is. Before “purely physical transport” and then you involve geochemistry. Please, revise the structure.
Line 76. You need to disclose the general aim of the research at the end of the introduction.
Line 76. You need to describe the specific objectives of your research by using numbers (e.g., i, ii, and iii) at the end of the introduction.
Line 199. Insert reference to Parkhurst for PHREEQC.
Line 250. This one looks to me a figure, not a table or an equation. Am I correct?
Line 700. More detail on the acknowledgement. Funding bodies are unclear.
Figures and tables
Figure 3. Make the image larger.
Figure 5. Same here, make the figure larger.
Two figures 11. This is not ok.
Figure 9. Make the figure larger also here.