Two-dimensional laboratory investigations of flow and transport in a fractured permeable medium are presented. Matrix blocks of a manufactured consolidated permeable medium were arranged together to create fractures in the spaces between the blocks. Experiments examined flow and transport in four different configurations: (1) matrix only, (2) and (3) matrix blocks containing single fractures of different mean apertures, and (4) a brickwork pattern setup simulating a tortuous multiple fracture network. The observed partitioning of flow and solute concentrations suggested mass exchange between the fractures and the matrix was occurring. An analysis of the experimental results using a discrete fracture model and a range of constant aperture models showed that this approach did not capture the correct flow mechanisms. Subsequent simulations including spatial variations of the fracture aperture were better able to describe the experimental observations and to show that these variations cause mass exchange between the fracture and matrix. ¿ 1999 American Geophysical Union