The Interdisciplinary Conference on Epikarst to be held in early October, 2003 in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, will sponsored by the Karst Waters Institute. Epikarst is the boundary between soil and rock in karst, honeycombed with small fractures and solution pockets that may or may not be filled with water. The secondary porosity of this zone and its complex role in contaminant transport, especially of NAPL's have increased interest in epikarst. While karst scientists from different disciplines recognize its importance, our ignorance of the epikarst is nearly complete! We will bring together karst scientists and scientists from other disciplines whose participation may shed light on this enigmatic zone. There will be a relatively small number of formal presentations, followed by a lengthy discussion. The discussion will be transcribed and become part of the conference proceedings. Topics include defining epikarst, hydrology and contaminant transport, economic impacts, soils, fauna, and ecology of epikarst.
