The formation of mineral and energy resources involves the interaction of
groundwater flow, mechanical deformation, mass and heat transport processes.
Thereby, groundwater flow patterns, temperature field, and fluid-rock
interactions are all interdependent. This calls for a unified description
linking the coupling between the different scales and related physical
phenomena involved. A mathematical formulation of the main driving processes
affecting basin fluid and heat transport allows developing numerical models as
tools to examine the interactions of simultaneously active processes and
variable parameters within the constraints given by physical principles and
taking into account proper temporal and three dimensional spatial scales.
Therefore, the usage of mathematical models is justified by the help they
bring in the understanding and verification of specific mechanisms acting in
natural systems. In Section “Basin Analysis” at GFZ German Research Centre for
Geosciences mathematical models of increasing degree of complexity are applied
to the study of energy and mass transport processes in complex sedimentary
basins
