Abstract topics & themes

ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES
Atmospheric sciences include all topics related to meteorology, climate, atmospheric composition and air quality. It extends from the large-scale processes and systems in the atmosphere to the smaller scales, both in time frames that span from centuries (e.g. related to climate research) to shorter scales of seconds (e.g. turbulence). Covered under this keyword are contributions that, e.g. focus on studies of atmosphere composition, atmospheric dynamics, aerosol and cloud physics, in-situ or laboratory studies of, e.g. fluxes or gas-particles interactions. We welcome contributions from the national observational infrastructure Ruisdael.

BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
Biogeochemical cycles covers biosphere-geosphere interactions in the present, past and future, biogeochemical cycles and research at the interface of (micro)biology and Earth sciences. It integrates (marine) biology, chemistry, and physics, and its focus goes beyond the established scientific approaches, embracing multi- and interdisciplinary understandings of bio-geosphere functioning in space and time. It also covers bio-sedimentary and ecological aspects of coastal systems' dynamics in natural and human-interfered situations. Experimental, conceptual, and modelling approaches are welcome and the development and calibration of proxies and their use to reconstruct palaeoenvironments. Contributions to research performed within the NESSC programme, SOLAS (Surface Ocean and Lower Atmosphere Studies) and the upcoming research within the EMBRACER programme are welcome here.

BIOSPHERE
The biosphere can be summarised as the sphere of life. This keyword covers contributions related to modelling, monitoring, and mapping terrestrial ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, savannahs, agriculture, and freshwater ecosystems, including wetlands, coastal zones, and saltmarshes. Research topics can focus solely on the biosphere or its interactions with the other parts of the Earth System (e.g., atmosphere, hydrosphere, etc.).

CLIMATE CHANGE: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
We welcome contributions in the field of paleoclimatology, based on reconstructions from marine, terrestrial, and ice archives, as well as model studies that enhance our understanding of processes, components, and feedback in the past Earth System. Studies that explore feedback mechanisms between different components of the Earth System are particularly encouraged, as well as model-data comparison approaches. Studies on sub-recent, present and future climate change based on natural archives, instrumental records, and model studies are also welcome. This theme aims to deepen our knowledge of the interaction between human activities, greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric concentrations and the expected changes in our climate system. Studies highlighting individual processes, thresholds and tipping points and those that focus on feedback between the various components of the Earth system are encouraged. This also includes the future impact of climate change on the water cycle on different temporal and spatial scales since the intensification of the global water cycle – triggered by climate change – will result in more weather extremes, floods & droughts, with an impact on a.o. water availability and quality. Studies on linking through to the environmental impact of climate change are also welcome (including investigating possible solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation and nature-based solutions and geoengineering). Contributions to research performed within the NESSC programme and the upcoming research within the EMBRACER programme and as part of INQUA/PAGES initiatives are welcome. 

COASTAL DYNAMICS AND MANAGEMENT
The dynamics of currents, waves and tides in interaction with coastal sediment, bathymetry, morphology and biology create intricate ever-changing landscapes. Humans in the modern situation tend to use these coastal systems heavily, especially in places such as The Netherlands. This keyword covers studies of the morphodynamics of shelf seas, beach coasts, tidal inlets and deltaic river channels – combining field data and numerical modelling with the occasional flume experiment. It also covers studies of human design, engineering, and forms of nourishment. 

CRYOSPHERIC SCIENCES
The cryosphere contains those parts of the Earth that are subject to prolonged temperatures below the freezing point of water. These include glaciers, frozen ground, and ice sheets. Research topics can focus solely on the cryosphere (e.g., land/sea ice mass balance) or interactions with other climate system components, addressing theory, observation and modelling. Contributions to research performed within the NESSC programme and the upcoming research within the EMBRACER programme are also welcome.

DATA SCIENCE IN THE EARTH- AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Geoscience and environmental sciences often generate large, complex data sets covering high spatial and/or temporal resolutions from, e.g. remote sensing or model output. Analysing this data requires applying and developing advanced data science techniques, including data assimilation, data mining, machine learning, etc. Developments in non-remote instrumentation, technology, methods and data handling used in any field of earth and environmental sciences aiming to advance instrumentation and data systems and to share experiences and approaches with other subject areas. This keyword covers research using data science techniques across earth- and environmental science fields. We also welcome contributions on data-driven digital twins in the earth and environmental sciences (e.g., in preparation for the EU Destination Earth Programme).

EARTH MAGNETISM, SEISMOLOGY & ROCK PHYSICS
The Earth is a dynamical planet: its interiors’ electro-magnetism and physical properties contribute to this exciting property of our planet. This keyword addresses the experimental, theoretical and modelling approaches of fundamental solid-Earth and magneto-hydrodynamic processes that extend from the Earth’s surface to the core. Theoretical and experimental aspects of rock physics, environmental magnetism, magnetic anomalies and plate tectonic reconstructions, magnetic polarity reversals, petrophysical assessment throughout physical, mechanical and magnetic properties, static and dynamic geophysical models, transitions from geo-modelling to geotechnical application, and electrical conductivity and transport properties of the Earth’s crust and mantle are some of the key topics within this keyword. We also invite studies that focus on the characterisation of earthquakes, seismoacoustic or infrasonic sources, and methods to simulate wave propagation. This keyword also matches well with studies embedded in the recent KEM and DeepNL research programs.

EARTH OBSERVATION & REMOTE SENSING
Data from Earth observation satellites, small-sat constellations, airborne and drones is increasingly used to study the Earth’s interior, surface, environment and atmosphere, dealing with community-driven and multidisciplinary challenges and solutions. Topics can cover any of these subjects, interactions between them, and the use of space-based and aerial observations. They can also share the best practices and available tools and methods for Earth and environmental sciences applications, including upcoming BigData/BigScience issues, data model and metadata standardisation, spatial data infrastructure interoperability, quality and uncertainty information encoding and propagation, environmental model accessibility, geospatial data processing, and data visualisation for scientific discovery.

EARTH SYSTEM GOVERNANCE
Humans influence most biological and physical systems of the planet nowadays, and the entire earth system now operates outside the “normal” state exhibited over at least the past 10,000 years. In the future, the human footprint may even be larger. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop better governance mechanisms and institutions at all levels to cope with this emerging earth system transformation. The institutions, organisations, and governance mechanisms by which humans currently regulate their relationship with the natural environment and global biochemical systems are poorly understood. Therefore, more fundamental and applied research on the global, national and local institutions and governance systems is needed.

EDUCATION & OUTREACH 
Next to the general trends that are currently affecting the teaching and learning environment for earth and environmental scientists, for example, in the way humanity is exploring and exploiting our planet, or changes in the labour market asking for a new type of professional, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the way students and PhDs are educated. This impact is especially vast for students who depend in their studies on fieldwork and laboratory work, such as the case in earth and environmental sciences.

ENERGY, RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The safe, efficient and cost-effective use of the subsurface in environmentally sustainable ways for the exploration and exploitation of natural resources and the construction of transport and storage infrastructures requires a thorough knowledge of the geological and geophysical heterogeneity. What are the expected possible contributions of solar power, wind power, geothermal energy, water energy (hydroelectric energy, wave power, tidal energy) and sustainable biomass to our future sustainable fossil-free energy production, and what are the impacts of large-scale sustainable energy production on our ecosystems and landscapes? Covered by this keyword are contributions on case studies and innovative approaches to constructing static Earth models based on, e.g., process-based numerical forward modelling, seismic, well logs and core studies, and hybrid outcrop – stochastic- laboratory studies as well as dynamic models simulating processes in and around natural resource exploitation as well as underground infrastructure facilities. In addition, studies specifically focussed on sedimentary basins as hosts of important natural resources like coal, gas, oil, ore deposits, groundwater and geothermics are welcome. This keyword also includes circularity and security of raw material supply. which has become an important topic due to an increasing need for raw materials, increasing the environmental footprint. A possible way to decrease the pressure on the environment is circularity. However, circularity involves risks to both human and ecosystem health. Therefore, it is crucial that natural and re-use cycles, as well as supply chains of raw materials and products, are more reliably mapped and analysed. This applies to both newly extractable and critical raw materials as well as to substances and products in the recycling cycle. How can we close the production chains in a safe way with safeguards for human and ecosystem health, and how is this linked to a reduction of the environmental footprint? This keyword also matches well with studies embedded in the recent KEM and DeepNL research programs. 

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES 
Environmental sciences include all topics related to the environment, biodiversity and natural resources. It has but is not limited to studies in terrestrial ecosystems, including forests, agroforestry, wetlands, freshwater, grasslands and agriculture at various scales. We welcome studies that explore dynamic solutions to pressing environmental challenges, from sustainable resource management to resilience, climate adaptation, and ecosystem preservation. Further contributions related to prominent subjects in renewable energy solutions, biodiversity conservation and restoration, technological innovations for sustainability, climate change mitigation and green technologies are encouraged and valued.

GEOCHEMISTRY, MINERALOGY, PETROLOGY & VOLCANOLOGY
These keywords cover studies that are fundamental to the study of the solid Earth. Topics can include studies related to the Earth’s mantle; oceanic and continental crust; the formation and crystallisation of magmas; the chemical compositions of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks; studies of volcanoes and various types of volcanism. While mostly fundamental in nature, applied topics include pollution of the atmosphere, surface or subsurface waters, the formation of ore deposits, and environmental impacts of volcanism (subaerial, submarine as subglacial).

GEOCHRONOLOGY
This keyword covers all aspects and methods that focus on determining the timing of events and processes and their rates in the geological record. Methodological development studies of dating techniques, as well as studies applying and integrating techniques to reduce chronometric uncertainties or studies on standardisation or studies comparing different dating methods, are covered by this keyword.

GEODYNAMICS, GEOPHYSICS & GEODESY
Geodynamics, Geophysics and Geodesy cover many aspects of studying the Earth’s surface, lithosphere, mantle, core, and deep interior (generally considered to be the core and lower mantle). This encompasses observations, imaging, theory, numerical modelling (simulations) and laboratory modelling (experiments) over shorter and longer timescales involving rheological, seismic, paleomagnetic and gravitational aspects. It also covers the understanding of the past evolution and current thermal, dynamical and chemical state of the Earth's deep interior and of the effect that the interior has on the structures and processes observed at the surface of the Earth. At the surface, this includes e.g., the tides, changing ice masses. Observing and measuring the Earth’s surface and lithosphere provides insight into spatial and temporal patterns of geophysical processes and deformations in the deeper parts of the Earth. Therefore, topics span from measurement systems to the investigation of geophysical processes.

GEOMORPHOLOGY
Geomorphology is the study of land-surface features and the dynamic processes that shape them. At the heart of geomorphology is the understanding of landform history and dynamics and predicting future changes through field observations, physical experiments, and numerical modelling. The research focussed on processes that ‘build topography’ as a result of the interplay between the effects of tectonic forces and processes that modify the terrain, such as weathering, erosion through running water, waves, glacial ice, wind and gravitational forces. This also includes human influences on geomorphological processes and the societal application of geomorphological research.

HYDROLOGICAL SCIENCES & WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Monitoring, modelling and prediction are fundamental issues in hydrology and geohydrology. Research is focussed on quantitative and qualitative aspects of fresh and saline groundwater and surface water systems, their dynamics and their interrelationships with the surrounding geology and ecosystems. This includes interactions between hydrology and geomorphology (e.g., erosion, sedimentation, groundwater systems), interactions between land use and the water cycle, the relationships between hydrology and soils or sedimentary reservoirs, the interaction between the hydrosphere and the biosphere (e.g., eco-hydrology, wetlands), as well as the impact of ecosystem services on the water cycle. This may also include research into the management and operation of water resources by societies in various parts of the world, reservoir engineering, civil engineering, water circularity and the reduction of our water footprint, soil sciences and environmental sciences. Furthermore, this keyword covers effects - triggered by climate change - on water availability (for drinking water supply & agriculture), water quality, soil subsidence and water safety (especially in urbanised areas and delta regions). Contributions from researchers pertaining to the Boussinesq Center for Hydrology, the Dutch and Belgian scientific hydrology centre, and researchers from the field of (geo)hydrology are welcome and encouraged to submit abstracts.

MARINE AND CONTINENTAL SCIENTIFIC DRILLING 
This session covers research pertaining to the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), an international marine research collaboration dedicated to advancing scientific understanding of the Earth through drilling, coring, and monitoring the subseafloor, and the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP), a multinational program to further and fund geosciences in the field of Continental Scientific Drilling. This session aims to gather input from the ICDP and IODP communities, and welcomes updates pertaining to the operation and development of these programs, as well as contributions making use of IODP/ICDP-based data.

NATURAL AND HUMAN-INDUCED HAZARDS AND THREATS
How can we improve our understanding of geological, geophysical and environmental, including human-induced, processes that can be hazardous and damage landscapes and society? Are there new technologies, methods and strategies that help better predict and/or mitigate the detrimental effects of natural hazards? These hazards include, but are not limited to, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, storms and hurricanes, heatwaves and droughts, floods, landslides, soil erosion, pollution, avalanches and wildfires. What is the impact of these hazards on current and future landscapes and societies? How can we reduce the negative effects of these hazards and make our planet, ecosystems and society more resilient and sustainable?

NONLINEAR PROCESSES IN EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCEs
Nonlinearity is broadly found in all branches of geosciences: earth science and environmental sciences. Covered by this keyword are studies of new methodologies, new modelling or new data analysis techniques related to nonlinear paradigms whose applications are broadly applicable to various sub-disciplines. This can include deterministic chaos, tipping points, nonlinear waves, similarity across scales, network theory, stochasticity, predictability and its limits, pattern formation, self-organised criticality, and extreme events.

OCEAN SCIENCES
Ocean Sciences covers the various ocean science disciplines, including physical oceanography and chemical oceanography on global, regional and local (e.g. Waddenzee) scales. Research topics can focus solely on the oceans (e.g. large-scale circulation, coastal oceanography, sea level change) or their interactions with the seabed, atmosphere or biology, addressing theory, observations and modelling. Contributions to research performed within the NESSC programme and the upcoming research within the EMBRACER programme are also welcome here.

PLANETARY AND SOLAR SYSTEM SCIENCES
The aim of the (Dutch) Planetary & Solar System Sciences keyword is the promotion of all fields of planetary sciences, ground-based and space mission exploration of the solar system and beyond, studies of the planet- and moon interiors, surfaces, and atmospheres in relation to our own Earth, and numerical and analogue modelling. This keyword covers a broad range of scientific advancements on both fundamental and applied topics regarding the exploration of the solar system, extra-terrestrial sample analysis and terrestrial analogue (field) studies. This keyword also considers all aspects of solar and heliospheric physics, specifically the solar-terrestrial connection. It covers the physical processes occurring on the Sun, in the solar wind, as well as in Earth’s magnetosphere and ionosphere, and the response of the near-Earth space environment to solar phenomena. This topic hosts interdisciplinary contributions on the origins and the evolution of the solar system and the exoplanetary systems, as well as ideas for future exploration. Contributions from multi-disciplinary projects like PEPSci-2 are invited to submit an abstract with this keyword.

STRATIGRAPHY, SEDIMENTOLOGY, PALAEONTOLOGY & GEOARCHAEOLOGY
This keyword focuses its activities on all aspects of the sedimentary systems and geoarchaeology. About 70% of the Earth surface is covered by sedimentary deposits, which are eroded and deposited right at the contact between the solid lithosphere and the atmosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere. Sedimentary rocks record the history of our planet since almost 4 billion years and play a pivotal role for our understanding of the evolution of life. Sedimentary basins host important natural resources like coal, gas, oil, ore deposits and groundwater and therefore a better understanding of the physical, chemical and biological processes controlling the formation and distribution of sediments and sedimentary rocks is of utmost importance for our society. Ongoing processes, young sedimentary records, ancient outcrop studies, and numerical and analogue modelling efforts are all welcome. Excavation of ancient life and traces of human ancestry is intimately linked to earth sciences: the local circumstances trapping and preserving articulated fossil records and archaeological sites (taphonomy), the regional to global circumstances explaining evolutionary and cultural developments, the strategies of discovering and documenting find sites. The keyword is to cover a.o. bone-bed, cave-fill and lake-rim material studies (e.g. dinosaur excavation, hominin sites), as well as landscape-archaeological and multi-proxy geo-archaeological work involving the modern human species in sub-recent times in younger Pleistocene and Holocene paleoenvironments.

SOIL SYSTEM SCIENCES
Soils form the interface between the Earth’s crust and atmosphere and are a basis for life on Earth. Soils foster biodiversity and record the interactions between the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. This keyword broadly covers the soil sciences as linked to various societal issues such as food security, water availability and climate change. It encompasses both fundamental and applied research.

TECTONICS AND STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
Contributions for this keyword investigate rock deformation at all scales with the aim of understanding its complex relationships using natural observations, including mapping, remote sensing and seismic measurements, and experimental approaches