Vadose Zone Journal

Vadose Zone Journal (VZJ) is an outlet for interdisciplinary research and assessment of the vadose zone, the mostly unsaturated zone between the soil surface and the permanent groundwater table. The scientific community has an increasing need for effective dissemination of information about the physical, chemical, and biological processes operating... in this zone. Currently no scientific journal focuses specifically on the vadose zone, and we trust that VZJ will fill this gap. The journal will provide a forum for vadose zone research and assessment using electronic procedures for manuscript submission, review, and publication. The vadose zone has long been the focus of research and assessment by scientists concerned with soil water flow and the fate and transport of chemicals stemming from agricultural practices or waste disposal operations. This focus has broadened considerably in recent years. Many industrial, municipal, and engineering activities are now also known to have an impact on the vadose zone, and hence indirectly all of the subsurface environment. As a result, many state and federal agencies, such as EPA, DOE, DOD, NASA, and NSF, are increasingly addressing vadose zone issues, including serving as funding agencies for vadose zone investigations. The vadose zone is now the active domain of scientists and professionals in a broad range of disciplines. These disciplines include soil physics, geophysics, hydrogeology, geochemistry, soil chemistry, microbiology, terrestrial ecology, environmental engineering, agricultural engineering, and engineering associated with construction, petroleum, and chemical technologies. Vadose Zone Journal will report fundamental and applied research from disciplinary and multidisciplinary investigations, including assessment and policy analyses of single- and multi-issue concerns involving the vadose zone. Our goal is to disseminate information to facilitate science-based decision making and sustainable management of the vadose zone. Examples of topic areas suitable for ...Read More