What is Source-to-Sink (S2S)?

Most of the events that shape the Earth's surface both above and below sea level leave a record of their impacts in the sediment sequences that accumulate on continental margins. Yet, despite decades intensely studying sedimentary systems, much remains to be understood. The overarching goal of the MARGINS Source-to-Sink initiative is to develop a quantitative understanding of margin sediment dispersal systems and associated stratigraphy. A predictive capability for dispersal-system behavior has critical implications for understanding geochemical cycling (e.g., carbon), ecosystem change (tied to global warming and sea-level rise), and resource management (e.g., soils, wetlands, groundwater, and hydrocarbons). The Source-to-Sink Focus Initiative aims to address the following fundamental questions:

1. What processes control the rate of sediment and solute production in a dispersal system?
2. How does transport through the system alter the magnitude, grain size, and delivery rate to sediment sinks?
3. How is variability of sediment production, transport, and accumulation in a dispersal system preserved by the stratigraphic record?

S2S Nuggets from 2009 Review Documents: Nuggets are available online!