1) S-1 MEMBER NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

A) Division S-1 Symposia for 2005 Meeting in Salt Lake City

Symposium 1: Water and Chemical Fluxes from the Pore to Landscape Scale
Determination of water and chemical fluxes in the vadose zone remains a formidable challenge. Different techniques are used at different spatial and temporal scales to quantify these fluxes. However, there is often lack of agreement between measurements obtained at different scales. Moreover, the devices and sampling methodologies used to quantify water and chemical fluxes often interfere with the entity being measured. Porous suctions cups, for example, may sample water preferentially from macropores and may filter colloidal particles, thereby providing unrepresentative samples of vadose zone pore water. Soil disturbance due to the installation of sampling and measurement devices may also result in biased flux estimates. The use of undisturbed soil monoliths is a promising approach for measuring fluxes in the vadose zone, but this approach has limitations as well.

In this symposium, co-sponsored by Division S-11, we ask for contributions related to the quantification and interpretation of water and chemical fluxes in the vadose zone. Specifically, we seek contributions that deal with the interpretation and transfer of measurement results across different spatial and temporal scales. Contributions addressing methods of measurement (both physical and chemical) and their impact on flux determination are also sought. Experimental as well as modeling contributions related to flux determination and interpretation are welcome. The symposium includes oral presentations (invited and volunteered) and poster presentations (volunteered). For information contact co-organizers Markus Flury (flury@mail.wsu.edu) and Thomas Puetz (t.puetz@fz-juelich.de).

Symposium 2: Soil Bio Physics: A Challenging Interface
Soil microorganisms and plant root exist and function in an environment subject to physical constraints and regulated by physical processes. Although significant progress has been made in our ability to characterize the soil physical environment and quantify physical processes, their remains a critical need to improve our understanding of interactions between the soil physical and biological realms. The basic premise of this symposium is to challenge the soil physics community to work towards a better understanding of interactions between the soil physical environment and soil microorganisms and plant roots. This includes the fate and transport of microorganisms (microbes and viruses), control and optimization of bioremediation and phytoremediation, physical controls on microbial ecology, improved descriptions of water and nutrient uptake by roots, and rhizosphere processes.

The symposium will consist of an oral session with only invited speakers and a poster session for which volunteered contributions are sought. We welcome contributions that address interactions between the soil physical environment and soil microorganisms and plant roots. We specifically seek contributions that study across the interface of physical and biological realms, and contributions that address the coupling physical and biological processes. Experimental as well as theoretical contributions are welcome. For information contact co-organizers Jan Hopmans (jwhopmans@ucdavis.edu) and Kate Scow (kmscow@ucdavis.edu) in the Department of Land, Air and Water Resources at the University of California, Davis. Co-sponsorship by Division S-3 is anticipated.

Abstract Submission:
The abstract submission page can be found by going to the web site for the 2005 Annual Meeting (www.saltlake-2005.org) and following the "Poster/Oral Paper Info" link. You can also use
http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2005am/ to go directly to the abstract submission site.

See the March 2005 issue of CSA News for detailed instructions regarding abstract submission. There are two significant changes regarding abstract submission for the 2005 Annual Meeting. The first is that a fee of $35 ($15 for graduate and undergraduate students) per abstract is now required for all volunteered contributions. The second is that the Title Summary Form has been abandoned. Abstracts must be submitted by May 10, 2005, but changes may be made to existing (submitted) abstracts until August 9, 2005.

************************** IMPORTANT NOTE ************************************
The instructions in the March 2005 issue of CSA News indicate that you will have a choice of selecting specific sessions or symposia during the abstract submission process. At this time, it appears that headquarters will not be activating this feature. In light of this development, those interested in contributing a volunteered paper for one of the two symposia listed above should notify the S-1 Program Chair, Gerard Kluitenberg (gjk@ksu.edu), of their abstract submission and indicate the symposium for which it is to be considered.
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B) Call for Nominations - 2005 S-1 Early Career Award
The S-1 Soil Physics Division invites nominations for the 2005 S-1 Early Career Award. The award recognizes scientists who have made an outstanding contribution in Soil Physics within six years after completing the Ph.D. degree. Principal criteria for the S-1 Early Career Award are:

1. Completion of Ph.D. degree in Soil Physics or closely related field within six years of the award.
2. Active member of the Soil Science Society of America.
3. Evidence of quality teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels if in a teaching position.
4. Evidence of effectiveness in extension and/or outreach activities.
5. Evidence of significant contribution of original basic and/or applied research in soil physics.
6. Contributions to the public, professional organizations and institutions.

Detailed instructions for nominating candidates may be found at: http://soils.ag.uidaho.edu/tuller/s-1/.
To apply, submit four copies of the complete nomination containing (i) nomination letter not to exceed two pages in length, (ii) supporting materials (see instructions for format) that document the nominee's qualifications, and (iii) three supporting letters not to exceed one page each. The deadline for receiving nominations is June 1, 2005.

Mail nominations to Dr. Per Moldrup, Chair S-1 Early Career Award, Section for Environmental Engineering, Sohngaardsholmsvej 57, Aalborg University, DK-9000 Aalborg, DENMARK.
Questions regarding the award may be directed to Per Moldrup by e-mail pm@bio.aau.dk or by telephone (011) 45 9635-8460.

C) Call for Nominations - 2005 Don and Betty Kirkham Soil Physics Award
The Don and Betty Kirkham Soil Physics Award is designed to recognize a mid-career soil scientist who has made outstanding contributions in the areas of soil physics. This award is supported by the Lena and Maria van der Ploeg Fund and the Don and Betty Kirkham Fund. Both of these funds have been established in the Agronomic Science Foundation and administered by the Soil Science Society of America. The award consists of a certificate and $1000 honorarium. For detailed information please visit: http://www.asa-cssa-sssa.org/awards/. Submission Deadline: May 2, 2005; Reference Letters Deadline: May 9, 2005

2) UPCOMING MEETINGS OF INTEREST (arranged by meeting date)

A) European Geosciences Union General Assembly (Vienna, Austria, 24 - 29 April 2005).
The scientific program of the General Assembly includes Union Symposia, Oral and Poster Sessions on disciplinary and interdisciplinary topics covering the full spectrum of the geosciences and the space and planetary sciences, Short Courses and Workshops, Key Note and Medal Lectures and Town hall and Splinter Meetings. For further information please visit: http://www.copernicus.org/EGU/ga/egu05/

B) Third Biot Conference on Poromechanics (University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA, May 24-27, 2005). This conference will serve as an international forum to exchange information on the latest advances in the mechanics of porous materials and their application to a broad range of disciplines, including geomechanics, biomechanics, geophysics, materials science, composite materials, acoustics, and civil, chemical, environmental, mechanical, and petroleum engineering, etc. The approaches include analytical, computational, and experimental. The scales range from nano, micro and macro to field scales. For further information please visit: http://www.pmi.ou.edu/Biot2005.htm

C) International Conference on Human Impacts on Soil Quality Attributes in Arid and Semiarid Regions (Isfahan-Iran, 12-16 September 2005). On behalf of the Department of Soil Science, Isfahan University of Technology, we extend a warm invitation to all interested individuals to attend HISQA. The conference will provide a forum for researchers and practitioners in the field to discuss state-of-the-art issues, their latest findings, and the developments affecting soil degradation and restoration due to human impacts. The conference will include presentations by national and international scholars, and will provide an excellent opportunity for networking with colleagues in related fields. A number of leading international speakers will review and discuss current issues within the broad area of soil management for sustainable agriculture. A mid-conference field trip will provide an opportunity for the delegates to view a variety of soil profiles and arid region landscapes. For further information please visit:
http://www.iut.ac.ir/cesoil/

D) ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings (Salt Lake City, UT - Nov 6 - 10, 2005)
Important deadlines: May 10, 2005 - Deadline for all abstract submissions; August 9, 2005 -Deadline for changes to existing abstracts. For further information please visit: http://www.asa-cssa-sssa.org/meetings/acs/

3) NEW JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

To review all announcements from the last six months please visit: http://soils.ag.uidaho.edu/tuller/s-1/jobs.htm

A) Postdoctoral Researcher/Water Quality, UCR (Posted: 3/11/2005).
The focus of this position is to assess best management practices to mitigate surface runoff water pollution resulting from nursery production, and to carry out basic research on water and chemical transport in soil and water. Specific responsibilities include (1) supervising surface runoff water sampling devices, (2) analyzing field data and using the data for model validations, and (3) conducting lab research that is relevant to pollutant transport in soil and water. This is a full-time, 2-year fixed-term position. Annual full-time salary range is $31,044 to $33,844/yr. Applicants must (1) hold a Ph.D. in Soil and/or Water Sciences, Environmental Engineering, or a related field; (2) have experience using data loggers and soil and water monitoring sensors; (3) have experience in modeling water and chemical transport in soil and water. Preferred qualifications include lab experience in characterizing water and chemical transport in soil. To apply, please send an application letter indicating scientific interests; curriculum vitae; and the names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references via e-mail to Dr. Laosheng Wu (Laowu@mail.ucr.edu). Alternatively, applications can be sent by mail to Dr. Laosheng Wu, Department of Environmental Sciences, 2208 Geology Building, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521. University of California is an equal opportunity employer.

B) Water Resources Scientist, USDA Forest Service (Posted: 3/07/2005).
Water Resources Scientist, (GS12/13/14/15) USDA Forest Service - North Central Research Station Research Scientist needed for the Ecology and Management of Riparian and Aquatic Ecosystems Research Work Unit, Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Full time, permanent, health, retirement, and vacation benefits. Skills and Experience: The desired candidate will have a Ph.D. and research experience in one or more of these areas; Hydrology, Water Quality/Chemistry, Water Resources Engineering, Soil Science, Aquatic Ecology, Riparian Ecology, Geomorphology. The applicant should have substantial knowledge of aquatic, riparian, and wetland ecosystems. Ability to work in multiple land uses and at multiple scales from the small watershed to major river systems. Become part of a team assessing land use influences on the water resource of the Mississippi River. Strong communication skills including a successful record of publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentation of research results at scientific meetings. Strong leadership skills and the ability to work both independently and in teams. U.S. citizenship required. The USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer. For application information, contact Peggy Castillo at 651-649-5026 (e-mail: pcastillo@fs.fed.us). To learn about the research, contact Dr. Randy Kolka at 218-326-7115 (e-mail: rkolka@fs.fed.us).

APPENDICES

A) S-1 Contacts
Chair (05): Gerard Kluitenberg gjk@ksu.edu
Chair-Elect (06): Jon Wraith jwraith@montana.edu
ASA and SSSA Board Representative (03-06) Glenn Wilson: gvwilson@ars.usda.gov
SSSA Journal S-1 Technical Editor: Sally Logsdon logsdon@nstl.gov
Vadose Zone Journal (VZJ) Editor: Rien van Genuchten RVANG@ussl.ars.usda.gov

B) S-1 Working Groups and Committees
S-1 Program 2005 ASA-SSSA Meeting (Salt Lake City, UT, Nov. 6 - 10): Gerard Kluitenberg
S-1 Early Career Award: Per Moldrup (Chair), Ty Ferre, Glendon Gee, and David Radcliffe.