Sprickiporen

Sprickiporen is a term used in some geoscience discussions to describe a hypothesized network of pores that forms along microcracks in mineral rocks. The concept highlights porosity that develops specifically in the vicinity of cracks, producing anisotropic fluid flow. The word combines spricka (crack) and por (pore) with the suffix -en, reflecting its Swedish linguistic roots.

Status in literature: Sprickiporen is not a standardized or widely adopted classification in major geological glossaries. It appears primarily in exploratory or conceptual discussions rather than in formal taxonomies, and definitions may vary between studies.

Description and formation: Pores associated with sprickiporen are typically elongated along crack planes and range from tens of nanometers to a few micrometers in size. They are thought to form through weathering and mineral dissolution along microcracks, followed by limited mineral precipitation that bonds pore walls. The network is characterized by directional connectivity, often constraining flow to crack-following pathways.

Occurrence and relevance: If present, sprickiporen could occur in fine-grained sedimentary rocks, altered igneous rocks, and fractured crystalline materials where crack networks are extensive. The porosity pattern can influence hydraulic conductivity, contaminant transport, and gas storage, with implications for groundwater management and subsurface energy applications.

Detection and study: Researchers may use imaging and porosity characterization methods such as micro-computed tomography, scanning electron microscopy, focused ion beam tomography, and mercury intrusion porosimetry or NMR porosimetry to identify crack-associated pore networks and estimate anisotropy in porosity.

See also: porosity, fracture porosity, anisotropy, hydrogeology.