Full Proposals for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Proposed IPY Activity Details

1.0 PROPOSER INFORMATION

(Activity ID No: 70)

1.1 Title of Activity
Monitoring of the upper ocean circulation, transport and water masses between Africa and Antarctica.

1.2 Short Form Title of Proposed Activity
UCAA (Upper-ocean characteristics between Africa and Antarctica)

1.3 Activity Leader Details
Alvarinho Luis
National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research
India

1.4 Lead International Organisation(s) (if applicable)
CLIVAR
WOCE
SCAR
GOOS

1.5 Other Countries involved in the activity
Japan
Malaysia
UK
France
Australia
France
Italy
USA
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL

1.6 Expression of Intent ID #'s brought together in this proposed activity
109, 117, 173, 225, 279

1.7 Location of Field Activities
Antarctic

1.8 Which IPY themes are addressed
1. Current state of the environment
2. Change in the polar regions
3. Polar-global linkages/tele-connections
4. Exploring new frontiers

1.9 What is the main IPY target addressed by this activity
1. Natural or social science

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2.0 SUMMARY OF THE ACTIVITY

Objectives: 1. To access the present scenario and interannual variability of physical properties in the Southern Ocean; 2. To monitor the circulation, zonal and meridional transport, surface atmospheric heat budget and linkage between Pacific and India Ocean, and to devise a framework for understanding the climate variability.
Observational program:1. XBT/XCTD observations in the Indian Sector of the southern ocean to map the present state of oceanic environment; year to year variability will be monitorted using repeated sampling by using the Indian Antaractic expedition's logistic support on board the ice-class vessels sailing between Africa and India's Antarctic station- Maitri. Additional hydrographic work will be carried out in areas of water mass formation in the Ross and Weddell Seas and subantarctic zone.2. Measurement of atmospheric stability parameters along the ship track to understand the zonal/meridional variations of boundary-level heat fluxes.
Linkages with other EOI's
There is already integrated with science goals of CASO to establish a link between physical oceanography (of both continental margin and open ocean environments), biogeochemistry, ecology, sea ice studies, ocean-ice shelf interaction, meteorology, polar-low latitude teleconnections, and paleoclimate.

2.1 What is the evidence of inter-disciplinarity in this activity?
Starting with physical oceanographic measurements, a interdisplinary approach with sea-ice activities, paleoclimate studies, etc. Moreover, the field campaign opportunities will be provided to participants of other nations using the India's Antarctic Program. In this way multidisciplinary interests will be amalgamated to form of consortium of nations.

2.2 What will be the significant advances/developments from this activity? What will be the major deliverables? What are the outputs for your peers?
World talents will be incorporated into a common objective of understanding the present scenario of the Southern Ocean. On a individual scale of efforts achieving this goal would otherwise become difficult. Our monitoring program would provide the Langrangian form of input which put together with modelling efforts would help evolve a comprehensive picture of the climate of the Southern Ocean. The results from these concerted efforts will provide the society with enhanced knowledge of the climate its impact on the ecosystem. This would serve a starting platform for the future generation of researchers in improving the understanding of the oceans-atmosphere-land interactions. Results emerging from our studies will be communicated to the public through internet, conferences, public forums, popular articles in newspapers and other multimedia.

2.3 Outline the geographical location(s) for the proposed field work (approximate coordinates will be helpful if possible)

2.4 Define the approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities?

2.5 What major logistic support/facilities will be required for this project?
Ice strengthened research ship

Further details – Certain logistic facilities will be shared/ allowed to be used by participants of consortium countries to encourage the field campagn. For example, foreign participant (maximum two) will be allowed to participate in the India's Antarctic Expedition on board ice-class vessel or in data collection in on board our research vessel SAGAR KANYA.

2.6 How will the required logistics be supplied? Have operators been approached?

2.7 If working in the Arctic regions, has there been contact with local indigenous groups or relevant authorities regarding access?

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3.0 STRUCTURE OF THE ACTIVITY

3.1 Origin of the activity
This is a pulse of activity during 2007-2009 within an existing programme

If part of an existing programme please name the programme – CLIVAR, SCAR

3.2 How will the activity be organised and managed? Describe the proposed management structure and means for coordinating across the cluster
The lead PI of the India's Antarctic program will interact with the lead PI's of other countries and CLIVAR/SCAR panels to coordinate with the activities of field program. This will be the primary-level interaction for the organization and implementation of field activities.
Interaction and constant communication between the Cluster members, sponsor agencies and other investigators for update of information, project planning with form the second tier of coordination.

3.3 Will the activity leave a legacy of infrastructure and if so in what form?
Our field campagn data together with CASO – Oceans will contribute to a legacy of a sustained, cost-effective observing network and for testing new technologies for the Southern Ocean. IPY will be special effort for bridging the data gaps and for enhancement of our understanding of different mechanisms operateing in the Southern ocean which contribute to the global signatures of climate change.

3.4 Will the activity involve nations other than traditional polar nations? How will this be addressed?
Yes. Traditional nations and those nations (from Africa and Asia) who want to persue research activities relating to Southern ocean will be involved in the data collection campagn and the Cluster will seek out opportunities to include scientists from non-polar nations on cruises and as participants in workshops.

3.5 Will this activity be linked with other IPY core activities? If yes please specify
Communications will have to be enhanced with other PIs and between this Cluster and a number of other Clusters, if the goals of the IPY are to be achieved. This will include those focussing on Ecosystems, Coasts and Margins, Teleconnections, Paleoclimate, and Sea Ice & Iceberg.

3.6 How will the activity manage its data? Is there a viable plan and which data management organisations/structures will be involved?
The Cluster will take advantage of existing data management structures developed by Brest, France, other programs and international data centres like PODAACs at NASA labs, and elsewhere. For example, hydrographic observations will be archived at the CLIVAR as a mirror site and other data assembly centres.
We also plan to host a national data archive under the supervision of national committees for IPY data management.
Efforts will be made to provide near real-time access to data via internet facilities.

3.7 Data Policy Agreement
Will this activity sign up to the IPY draft Data Policy (see website)
Yes

3.8 How will the activity contribute to developing the next generation of polar scientists, logisticians, etc.?
Priority for participation in the cruises/ expedition to the Southern Ocean will be accorded to young scientists/ university students so as to inculcate scientific research. Advanced level training will be imparted and exposure to various latest technologies will put them in the forefront of research activities. This way we will be able to take care of ageing scientists and put the responsibilities on younger generation.

3.9 How will this activity address education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The IPY activities will be announced and updated from time to time in the internet / multimedia. Summer courses, lectures and exchange programs for young scientists,high school students, graduates and teachers, eminent citizens and government officials. Radio broadcasts, public talks, and television programs highlighting the role of oceans in climate variations will be organized.

3.10 What are the proposed sources of funding for this activity?
The data collection campagn is planned for five years starting from December 2005 and culminating in 2010. The project will be initiated by using initial funding from national agencies. Efforts are on to get future support for XCTD/ XBT probes from cluster nations/ international agencies.

3.11 Additional Comments

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4.0 CONSORTIUM INFORMATION

4.1 Contact Details

Lead Contact
Dr Alvarinho Luis
National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research
Govt. of India, Polar Remote Sensing Division, Headland Sada, Vasco-da-Gama, INDIA
403804
INDIA

Tel:          -2521604
Mobile:   N/A
Fax:         -2521618
Email:       alvluis@yahoo.com

Second Contact
Dr Sivaramakrishnan Rajan
National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research
Govt. of India, Polar Remote Sensing Division, Headland Sada, Vasco-da-Gama, INDIA
403804
INDIA

Tel:          -2521604
Mobile:   N/A
Fax:         -2521618
Email:      rajan@ncaor.org

4.2 Other significant consortium members and their affiliation