The LCZO is sponsoring a Theme Session at the Southeastern regional GSA conference which will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico March 20-21st 2013! For more information click here.

T11. Critical Zone Processes and the Geology of Puerto Rico.

William H. McDowell, University of New Hampshire
Martha Scholl, U.S. Geological Survey

Description: The Critical Zone (CZ) is the porous near-surface layer of the Earth that extends from the top of the vegetative canopy down to the deepest groundwater. The CZ is a constantly evolving zone where rock, soil, water, air, and living organisms interact and regulate the supply of life-sustaining resources, including food production and water quality. Understanding the complex web of physical, chemical, and biological processes of the CZ requires an integration of a broad array of natural sciences, including geology, soil science, hydrology, geochemistry, geomorphology, and ecology. An immediate challenge of CZ research is to develop a predictive understanding of how the structure and function of the CZ evolves and responds to changes in climate and land-use. Although several groups have been conducting CZ research, this session will provide the first formal exchange between CZ researchers working in Puerto Rico, including researchers involved with the NSF-supported Luquillo Critical Zone Observatory (http://www.sas.upenn.edu/lczo/), the San Juan Ultra project (http://sanjuanultra.com/), and the USGS WEBB project (http://water.usgs.gov/webb/). Papers that stress linkages between bedrock geology and weathering and erosion, landscape evolution and geomorphology, and land use and climate change are especially welcome