Mar 11 2009
More than 300 geoscientists will gather soon for the 43rd Annual Meeting of the South-Central Section of the Geological Society of America. The meeting, which takes place at the UT Dallas Conference Center, is chaired by geoscientists from UT Dallas.
Eight themed sessions will highlight cutting-edge scientific research and feature technical presentations on geology and health issues, water resource challenges and shale reservoirs, as well as the geologic evolution of the US-Mexico border region, Texas-Oklahoma, Big Bend, and Permian Basin regions. More than 130 presentations will be made by academic and industry scientists, undergraduates and graduate students.
The meeting’s geology and health talks will cover contaminated groundwater, lead poisoning in children and the possible link between global warming and the northward expansion of the U.S. kidney stone “belt.”
Presentations on water resource challenges deal with stresses to local aquifer systems and freshwater in light of increased water demand and encroaching sea levels. Changes in local hydrogeologic environments over time will be covered.
Another popular theme session consists of several talks aimed at understanding the nature of local shale reservoirs and methods for extracting shale gas and shale oil in the Barnett Shale (Fort Worth area), Williston (Michigan area) and Appalachian basins (Eastern U.S.).
The sessions on Monday will close with a free and open public policy forum at 3:30 in the Conference Center led by UT Dallas President Dr. David E. Daniel. Panelists will discuss the role geoscientist can and should play in improving public policies concerning water, energy and land use.
To view the technical program, visit http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2009SC/finalprogram/.
MEETING INFORMATION:
Complete meeting information is available at http://www.geosociety.org/sectdiv/southc/09mtg/index.htm
Information on registration is available at http://www.geosociety.org/sectdiv/southc/09mtg/registration.htm