Introduction ot the Symposium

Author

David C. Culver

Files

Publication Date

1-1-2013

Publication Title

Acta Carsologica

Volume Number

42

Issue Number

2-3

Abstract

From January 7 to January 11, 2013, the Karst Waters Institute (KWI) and the National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCRKI) held an international and multidisciplinary symposium on Carbon and Boundaries in Karst at NCKRI headquarters in Carlsbad, New Mexico. There is growing interest in the dynamics of both inorganic and organic carbon in karst systems, and especially in the flux of carbon and nutrients between the surface and subsurface, and between different components (e.g. epikarst and vadose zone) in the karst subsurface. This symposium was about these and other questions connected to carbon in karst and boundaries in karst. It was especially timely both because of rapid advances in the field and the importance of carbon sequestration in global climate change The symposium highlighted recent advances in biology, geology, and hydrology that are helping us understand the dynamics of karst ecosystems, especially with respect to carbon. The talks were organized around seven main themes: * The Upper Boundary – Epikarst * The Lower Boundary – Phreatic Zone * Lateral Inputs — Insurgences * Lateral Outputs — Resurgences * CO2 — Processing and Storage * Organic Carbon — Sources and Quality * Synthesis and Large Scale Models

Sixty participants from seven countries attended the week-long meeting which included an excursion to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. For the first time at a KWI meeting, several participants, who were unable to attend in person, gave their presentations via Skype.

Document Type

Article

Language

English and Slovenian

Recommended Citation

Culver, David C., "Introduction ot the Symposium" (2013). KIP Articles. 6414.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/kip_articles/6414