SCICOM establishes a Program Planning Group to promote the study of hydrogeologic processes in marine subsurface environments through the use of boreholes and other relevant methodologies.

Proposed by Brown, seconded by ???.

Overall Goal

To define and prioritize the main problems in submarine hydrogeology in terms of their overall global significance.  This PPG should summarize our current understanding of the processes and effects of fluid flow in different submarine hydrogeologic environments, and explain how studies of these environments will relate to those of analogous subaerial formations.
 

Mandate

1. Identify the most cost-effective field and modeling strategies for studying submarine fluid flow and its effects on physical,
chemical, and biological systems.

2. Develop strategies for handling critical issues such as the influence of geological heterogeneity on heat and solute transport.

3. Assess the requirements for site surveying, pre- and post-drilling hydrogeologic studies, and the use of long-term observatories.

4. Identify future needs for either novel approaches or new adaptations of land-based methods to seafloor environments, and promote the development of these methods by PPG members and other interested parties.

5. Encourage involvement of the continental hydrogeologic community, with the dual purpose of broadening the interest in submarine hydrogeologic processes and increasing the human resources and skill base needed for scientific advance.
 

Timeline

The PPG will submit a status report of its findings and recommendations prior to August 2000, and it will present a final written and oral report at the spring meeting of SCICOM in 2001.