CZ RCN: Research Coordination in Carbonate Critical Zones

临界区是指地球表面植被顶部和地下水底部之间的薄层，是岩石、土壤、水、空气和生物之间复杂相互作用的场所。这些相互作用提供了社会效益，包括维持生命的资源，其中主要是食物和水。临界区的过程在广泛的时间范围内运行，这在一定程度上取决于下伏基岩的组成。分解缓慢的硅酸盐矿物构成了基岩的大部分，但石灰岩中的碳酸盐矿物往往反应迅速，通常会留下大片空隙，促进水通过临界区的转移。目前的临界带观测站(CZO)网络缺乏一个包含大量碳酸盐基岩的站点。这个研究协调网络将促进研究人员对碳酸盐矿物含量升高的临界区进行讨论，评估富含碳酸盐的临界区的性质和过程如何推广到其他岩性，并将这些发现与CZO网络的结果相结合。该项目的一个主要目标是创建一个研究协调网络(RCN)，其中研究人员可以评估碳酸盐地形中临界区特有的临界区的属性和过程。一个相关且同样重要的目标是将新的发现与CZO网络内正在进行的研究相结合。这些目标将通过四个主要技术目标来实现：(1)汇编现有研究数据和模型；(2)在实地和主要学科会议上召开讲习班，探索新的研究方向；(3)培养用于研究碳酸盐临界带的最新技术的能力；(4)利用数据汇编、讲习班参与和培训，促进对所有关键区环境中的特性和过程的了解。这些目标的成果将包括扩大关于碳酸盐和硅酸盐矿物的相对数量如何在区域之间的临界区造成不同性质和过程的知识。该研究协调网络还将发展关键区域科学的人力资本，将代表性不足的群体纳入所有项目活动，并在讲习班期间开展研究合作。研究结果将通过研讨会报告、一系列三篇同行评议的论文和项目网站在研究社区中传播。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The Critical Zone, defined as the thin layer of Earth's surface between the top of vegetation and the bottom of groundwater, is the site of complex interactions among rock, soil, water, air, and living organisms. These interactions provide societal benefits, including life-sustaining resources, primary among them food and water. Processes in the Critical Zone operate over wide range of time scales that depend, in part, on the composition of the underlying bedrock. Silicate minerals that break down slowly comprise much of the bedrock, but carbonate minerals in limestone tend to react quickly, commonly leaving large voids that facilitate the transfer of water through the Critical Zone. The current Critical Zone Observatory (CZO) network lacks a site that contains significant amounts of carbonate bedrock. This Research Coordination Network will foster discussion among researchers about Critical Zones with elevated carbonate mineral contents, evaluate how properties and processes of carbonate-rich Critical Zones can be generalized to other lithologies, and integrate these findings with results from the CZO network.A principal goal of this project is to create a Research Coordination Network (RCN) in which researchers can evaluate Critical-Zone properties and processes that are endemic to Critical Zones in carbonate terrains. A related and equally important goal is to integrate new findings with on-going research within the CZO network. These goals will be achieved through four primary technical objectives: (1) compile available data and models stemming from current research ;(2) convene workshops, in the field and at major disciplinary conferences to explore new research directions; (3) build capacity in state- of-the-art techniques used to study carbonate Critical Zones; (4) use data compilation, workshop participation, and training to advance knowledge of properties and processes in all Critical-Zone environments. Outcomes of these objectives will include expanding knowledge of how relative amounts of carbonate and silicate minerals may cause different properties and processes in the Critical Zone between regions. This Research Coordination Network will also develop human capital of Critical-Zone science by including underrepresented groups in all project activities and by research collaborations created during workshops. Outcomes will be disseminated among the research community through workshop reports, a series of three peer-reviewed papers, and the project website.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.