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

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的过程，因为)生物、化学和物理过程的耦合性质，ii)地球表面的极端不均一性，以及ii)预测问题的跨学科性质。我们认为，要推动科学的发展，将需要一个由站点和科学家共同工作的网络，以共享数据和模型。实施这样一项战略将需要大量资金：因此，必须首先证明如此大笔投资的效用。为此，我们在这里建议展示一个遗址网络如何有助于解决关于地球的一个首要问题：是什么控制着地球的深度和化学成分？S风化层？在这个建议中，我们将风化的风化地幔定义为覆盖在母基岩或冲积层上的风化地幔。我们将讨论如何协调关键区遗址网络(Critical Zone Explore Network，简称CZEN)，以及这项研究工作将如何探索表层深度对岩性和气候的依赖。我们讨论了CZEN的协调、实施和发展，CZEN之前是在特拉华大学的社区研讨会上确定的。为了进一步推动网络上开始的工作，我们要求在一个地点(宾夕法尼亚大学：波多黎各)开展新活动，费用为20000美元。在这项提案中，我们还要求为三个新团队和地点(科罗拉多州立大学：中原大学；科尔盖特大学：阿迪朗达克斯；杜克大学：北卡罗来纳州卡尔霍恩)每个团队和场地申请20000美元。所有团队都建议共享风化深度、化学成分和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(S)，描述页岩、玄武岩、花岗岩和砂岩冲积层在气候梯度上的风化深度、成分和形成速率的首次交叉比较。虽然一些地点已经有了关于风化层随气候和时间变化的重要观测，但跨岩性数据的整合还处于起步阶段。拟议的工作将扩大网站网络，涉及更多人员，并将数据放到网上(czen.org)。除了阐明不同气候和岩性的风成岩发育情况外，还将在四种岩性(页岩、玄武岩、花岗岩、砂岩冲积层)上建立一个真实的和虚拟的CZEN，跨越气候梯度。这个网络将吸引工作人员在这些地点调查其他问题，从而改变我们对如何回答关键区域的地球科学问题的理解。因此，该网络将作为广告，鼓励协作研究人员利用站点、人员和数据网络专注于关键区域。

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.