Osmotic filtration of salt water in sedimentary strata containing semipermeable areas and its possible applications

Mathematical modeling and investigation of the filtration process of salt water in the sedimentary column, taking into account the phenomenon of osmosis, has been performed. It is shown that the osmotic interaction of salt and fresh water in a sedimentary column containing interlayers and inclusions of poorly permeable rocks (clays, silts, etc.) can lead to the appearance of zones of large pressure anomalies and the destruction of the geomedium. The proposed osmotic mechanism of destruction of the geomedium explains the formation of pockmarks and craters on the surface of passive areas of the crust that do not experience any movements and deformations for a long period of time. This mechanism is an alternative to the common point of view about a polygonal fault system of tectonic nature, on the basis of which marks on the seabed or craters in permafrost areas on land are explained. The mathematical model under study showed that under the conditions under consideration, convection of a solution with closed current lines occurs, similar to gravitational convection.