Scaling processes in saturated and unsaturated porous media: experiences in laboratory and field scales

The high convenience, simplicity and great reliability of the scaling analysis is shown by summarizing some among the many studies carried out by the authors on this topic, concerning different aspects relating to the same context of porous aquifers. These studies, relating to field and laboratory investigations, concerned both saturated and unsaturated porous media, and confined and phreatic aquifers. We showed the ways in which it is possible to carry out the simple or multi-scaling analysis and, for this second case, the procedure for the correct identification of the number of ranges and related cut-off limits. Furthermore, it was possible to point out the possibility of using fractal models for the description of the scaling behavior of some characteristic parameters of porous aquifers, determining the reliability of the results given by these models. The influence of heterogeneity is particularly highlighted also for strongly heterogeneous aquifers. Finally, the vastness of the application field of scaling analysis was pointed out.