Using a Critical Zone Exploration Network to Quantify Controls on Earth's Regolith

使用关键区域勘探网络量化对地球风化层的控制

• 批准号: 0819857
• 负责人: Susan Brantley
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Pennsylvania State Univ University Park
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-08-15 至 2011-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0819857&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Using; Critical; Zone; Exploration; Network

Intellectual merit. Since 2003, a group of scientists interested in understanding the Critical Zone have stressed that we cannot predict earth surface processes due toi) the coupled nature of biological, chemical, and physical processes,ii) the extreme heterogeneity of the earth surface, andiii) the cross-disciplinary nature of the prediction problem.We have argued that to advance the science will require a network of sites and scientists working together to share data and models. The implementation of such a strategy will necessitate considerable funding: therefore, the utility of such a large investment must first be demonstrated. Toward that end, we propose herein to show how a network of sites can contribute to addressing one first-order question about the Earth:What controls the depth and chemistry of the Earth?s regolith?In this proposal, we define the regolith as the weathered mantle overlying parent bedrock or alluvium. We discuss how the network of Critical Zone sites (Critical Zone Exploration Network or CZEN) will be coordinated, and how this research effort will explore the dependence of regolith depth on lithology and climate. We address the coordination, implementation, and growth of the CZEN previously identified at a community workshop at the University of Delaware. To further the work started on the network, we request $20k for new activities at one site (U Penn.: Puerto Rico). Within this proposal we also request $20k for each of three new teams and sites (Colorado State Univ.: Central Plains; Colgate: Adirondacks; Duke: Calhoun, NC). All teams propose to share data on regolith depth, chemistry, and exposure or residence time.At the end of our proposed two-year funding period, the PIs of at least these sites will draft paper(s) describing the first cross-comparison of regolith depth, composition, and formation rates for shale, basalt, granite, and arkosic alluvium across climatologic gradients. While significant observations about regolith as a function of climate and time are available for some of the sites already, the integration of data across lithology is in its infancy.Broader impacts. The proposed work will expand the site network, involve more personnel, and put data online (czen.org). In addition to the elucidation of regolith development across climate and lithology, both a real and a virtual CZEN will be established on four lithologies (shale, basalt, granite, arkosic alluvium) across climate gradients. This network will entice workers to investigate other questions across these sites and will thus transform our understanding of how to answer Earth science questions for the Critical Zone. As such, the network will act as an advertisement for collaborative researchers to focus on the Critical Zone using networks of sites, people, and data.

智力上的优点。自 2003 年以来，一群对了解临界区感兴趣的科学家强调，我们无法预测地球表面过程，因为 i) 生物、化学和物理过程的耦合性质，ii) 地球表面的极端异质性，以及 iii)预测问题的跨学科性质。我们认为，要推进科学发展，需要一个由站点和科学家组成的网络，共同努力共享数据和模型。实施这样的战略需要大量的资金：因此，必须首先证明如此大的投资的效用。为此，我们在此建议展示站点网络如何有助于解决有关地球的一个第一级问题：什么控制着地球风化层的深度和化学成分？在本提案中，我们将风化层定义为覆盖母岩或冲积层的风化地幔。我们讨论了如何协调关键带站点网络（关键带勘探网络或 CZEN），以及这项研究工作将如何探索风化层深度对岩性和气候的依赖性。我们解决了先前在特拉华大学社区研讨会上确定的 CZEN 的协调、实施和发展问题。为了进一步推进网络上开始的工作，我们请求 2 万美元用于在一个站点（宾夕法尼亚大学：波多黎各）开展新活动。在该提案中，我们还要求为三个新团队和地点每一个提供 2 万美元（科罗拉多州立大学：中原大学；高露洁大学：阿迪朗达克大学；杜克大学：北卡罗来纳州卡尔霍恩大学）。所有团队都提议共享有关风化层深度、化学成分以及暴露或停留时间的数据。在我们提议的两年资助期结束时，至少这些地点的 PI 将起草论文，描述首次交叉比较不同气候梯度下页岩、玄武岩、花岗岩和长石冲积层的风化层深度、成分和形成率。虽然某些地点已经可以对风化层作为气候和时间的函数进行重要观察，但跨岩性的数据整合仍处于起步阶段。更广泛的影响。拟议的工作将扩大站点网络，涉及更多人员，并将数据放到网上（czen.org）。除了阐明跨气候和岩性的风化层发育之外，还将在跨气候梯度的四种岩性（页岩、玄武岩、花岗岩、长石冲积层）上建立真实和虚拟的 CZEN。该网络将吸引工作人员调查这些地点的其他问题，从而改变我们对如何回答关键区地球科学问题的理解。因此，该网络将充当合作研究人员利用站点、人员和数据网络关注关键区域的广告。