Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Pan-Arctic Study of the Stratospheric and Mesospheric Circulation  (PASSMeC)

Outline
The goal of this project is to conduct a comprehensive observational and modelling study of the Arctic stratosphere and mesosphere during the IPY. The observational study will include radiosonde, lidar and satellite measurements of the troposphere, stratosphere and mesosphere. Radiosondes provide tropospheric and lower stratospheric measurements of wind and temperatures necessary for a better understanding of the dynamics of the middle atmosphere. Meanwhile, an international network of Rayleigh lidar sites distributed across the Arctic provides high-resolution synoptic temperature soundings of the stratosphere and mesosphere. These lidars are distributed under different regimes of the Arctic middle atmosphere and provide measurements that are critical for understanding the role of tides, planetary, and gravity waves in the large-scale circulation. Meanwhile, the satellite measurements provide a global scale view of the temperature structure of the Arctic stratosphere and mesosphere (e.g. the structure of the Arctic vortex and anti-cyclones). This comprehensive data set would represent a high resolution “state-of-the-Arctic middle atmosphere” for use in current studies, as well as to provide a benchmark for future studies of this region. Furthermore, these data will be assimilated into various numerical models to yield an improved understanding of the circulation of the Arctic middle atmosphere. Specifically, the modelling effort will focus on assimilating these observations to yield a comprehensive understanding that can both reproduce the observed circulation and predict the Arctic middle atmosphere response to changes in the circulation. Such models are critical for understanding a variety of Arctic phenomena including the structure and evolution of the Arctic vortex, the formation of polar stratospheric clouds, the depletion of ozone, and the initiation of anomalous weather regimes associated with the Arctic Oscillation.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This natural science project will yield a snapshot of the environment of the middle atmosphere (T1,Th1). The studies will provide observations and tools for assessing change and assimilating future observations and analysis (Th2). The Arctic middle atmosphere is influenced by tides and waves that propagate from lower latitudes. The variability of the Arctic vortex and associated ozone depletion influences the global ozone budget (Th3). Coupling of dynamic and radiative effects is at the frontier of understanding how the climate system responds to anthropogenic changes (Th4). The polar middle atmosphere (with large seasonal variations and formation of vortices) is a unique natural laboratory for understanding atmospheric processes (Th5). The study addresses environmental issues (e.g ozone depletion, lifetimes of trace species) that impact the polar and global communities (Th6).

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This program brings together an international network of facilities and researchers from Canada, Germany, Greenland, Japan, Norway, and the United States. These researchers are affiliated with several international observational and modelling programs (e.g. CAWSES, CEDAR, NDSC, PSMOS, WACCM).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The lidar observations will be made at the following four observatories; ALOMAR, Andoya, Norway (69° N, 16° E), Poker Flat Research Range, Chatanika, Alaska (65° N, 147° W), Eureka Stratospheric Observatory, Eureka, Canada (80°N, 86°W), Sondrestrom Upper Atmospheric Research Facility, Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (67° N, 51° W). Radiosonde data from existing meteorological stations.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 1/07 – 12/07      1/08 – 12/08      1/09 – 12/09
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The project will draw on work at existing observatories and research sites that are currently supported by national research agencies. These research sites typically host a variety of projects.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project will draw on work at existing observatories and research sites. The observational and computational infrastructure associated with the observatories will be enhanced during the IPY observations.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator

Logistics for the observatories are covered under current funding from national funding agencies (e.g DFG, NSF).

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The research team have briefed members of the CAWSES and CEDAR programs and the US IPY committee of this project. This expression of interest is in the process of being considered by the US National Committee for IPY.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes
This project draws on existing observational and modelling programs in each of the home countries of the researchers. The goal of this IPY project is to enhance collaboration across specialities, programs and national boundaries to yield a consistent understanding of the Arctic middle atmosphere.

How will the project be organised and managed?
While, the observations associated with this project are ongoing, the project team will establish a schedule, that include focussed campaign periods, for observing during the IPY. The observing members of the research team will establish a schedule and framework for data sharing with the assimilation and modelling members of the team. The project team will use professional meetings (e.g. AGU, AMS, CEDAR, EGU, SPARC) to conduct workshops where results are presented, observations and analyses coordinated, and management strategies refined. A detailed organization and management plan will be defined in the formal IPY proposal.the formal IPY proposal.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
All of the participating institutions have established programs for community outreach, education, and communication (e.g. public lectures, high school projects, undergraduate and graduate research, professional presentations). The research team will employ these programs to engage and inform the wider community.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
All of the researcher team currently contribute and subscribe to open web-based national and international scientific data centers (e.g. NCAR, NDSC). The data from this effort (i.e. observations, analyses, and simulation results) will be archived and publicly available. The project will maintain a website that will act as a portal to the data. A detailed data management plan that meets the IPY requirements will be defined in the formal IPY proposal

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project will be funded through existing and future grant proposal applications to the appropriate national funding agencies. One of the goals of this expression of intent is to establish the scientific collaborations that will commit to preparation and submission of grant proposals.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The members of this project welcome the opportunity to partner with other IPY researchers and projects as appropriate. Should the IPY project steering committee find that this project has overlapping and/or complementary goals with other projects (e.g NDSC, Antarctic research, ozone research), the project members would be happy to participate as part of a larger project.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr. Richard Collins
University of Alaska Geophysical Institute
903 Koyukuk Drive
Fairbanks, AK
99775-7320
USA

Tel: 1-907-474-7607
Mobile:
Fax: 1-907-474-7320
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information