DRYLANDSA brief paragraph about your background, research interests, and goals. – Previous work in deep vadose zones of the arid southwest suggests that there is a shallow hydrologic system where plant roots are present and a deeper hydrologic system down to the water table. In the shallow system, I am interested to understand the role that pedogenic carbonate (i.e., caliche) plays in controlling water movement and transport. In the deeper vadose zone, I am curious to study the potential upward transport of volatile species as a result of differences in the temperature profile. Finally, I am interested to examine whether the shallow and deep hydrologic systems operate independently below playa environments (internal drainages) or whether playas serve as areas of groundwater recharge.
University of Texas at El Paso
