Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Biogeochemical Cycling in Cryoconite Holes: A Bi-Polar Study of Ecosystems within Glacier Ice  (BiCyCol)

Outline
The surfaces of glaciers and ice sheets in the polar regions support diverse yet poorly understood microbial foodwebs within small melt pools known as cryoconite holes. These are water-filled depressions (typically < 1m in diameter and usually < 0.5m deep) that form on the surface of glaciers when solar heated inorganic and organic debris melts into the ice. It has been known for some time that the holes support microbial life, but little has been done to quantify and further characterise ecosystem functioning. Such a characterisation is long overdue because cryoconite holes clearly challenge the conventional assumption that icy surfaces in the polar regions are largely abiotic environments. Further, they are now regarded as important analogues for refugia under extreme conditions (e.g. “NeoProterozoic Snowball Earth” and other icy planets) and even inoculate / fertilise nutrient-limited ecosystems at the ice margin. This project will unite an international consortium of researchers presently involved in cryoconite research in order to: 1)Produce integrated heat, water and nutrient budgets for glacial surfaces occupied by cryoconite holes; 2)Characterise habitat dynamics by examining hole inception / survival / isolation and dispersal, and; 3)Study cryoconite microbial community structure, activity, functioning and dynamics throughout all of the stages identified in the life cycle of this habitat using geochemical, isotopic, microbiological and molecular measurements. Our approach will be bi-polar and capitalise upon the fact that cryoconite holes represent one of the few ecosystems that may be monitored and manipulated in their entirety – giving us great confidence in our ability to deduce process rates and characteristics. Hence we will combine detailed plot/hole scale monitoring with glacier-wide observations of cryoconite diversity along simple environmental gradients. Four selected field sites will enable the spectrum of thermodynamic conditions within cryoconite environments to be studied in both polar regions. These include: A) Midre Lovenbreen, Svalbard (78 oN, European High Arctic); B) Hayes Island, Franz Josef Land (Russian Arctic) C) Sørsdal Glacier, Vestfold Hills (68 oS, Australian Sector, Antarctica); D) The McMurdo Dry Valleys (75 oS, McMurdo, Antarctica). Summer campaigns will be undertaken at each of these sites starting in the Arctic (2007), where return trips will be conducted in early summer 2008 to conclude studies of over-wintering strategies. All field operations will be supported by a local research station that is available to this project (Ny Ålesund (Svalbard), Krenkel Station (Franz Josef Land), Davis Base (Australian Antarctic); McMurdo (US Antarctic)).

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
1)State-of-the-science characterisation of microbial biodiversity and quantification of microbial C cycling upon polar ice masses leading to improved understanding of the present environmental status of both polar regions (Theme 1). 2)New insights into how a melting cryosphere will impact upon the nutrient status of sensitive ice marginal ecosystems that receive meltwater inputs (Theme 2). 3)New insights into how a cooling cryosphere will have the capacity to provide microbial refugia under extreme conditions (Theme 3), perhaps even extra-terrestrial ones (Theme 5). 4)The first quantitative insights into a hitherto overlooked ecosystem (Theme 4). 5)Quantification of the variable impact of cryoconites upon albedo and glacial mass balance (Themes 1 and 2).

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project will consolidate recently established links between US, Australian, Austrian, Russian and UK polar experts. The collaboration includes both science and training efforts.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
A) Midre Lovenbreen, Svalbard (78 oN, European High Arctic); B) Hayes Island, Franz Josef Land (81 oN, Russian Arctic); C) Sørsdal Glacier, Vestfold Hills (68 oS, Australian Sector, Antarctica); D) The Dry Valleys (75 oS, McMurdo, Antarctica).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/07 – 09/07 (Svalbard)      04/08 – 08/08 (svalbard)      03/07,08 – 10/07,08 (Franz Jospeph)
Antarctic: 10/07 – 02/08 (Dry Valleys)      10/07 – 04/08 (Vestfold)      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
We only require ship/plane berths and support from existing research facilities. We are happy to combine field efforts with other groups if appropriate.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

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

Logistical support for the Arctic station is readily available to funded projects and the PI’s collaboration with Norsk Polarinstitutt. Support from the Antarctic stations is made possible through existing collaboration with the US LTER Programme and the Australian ASAC Programme.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No such procedure exists for UK IPY activities

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?
New
The project meshes in with the existing NSF-funded McMurdo LTER programme, but is otherwise new. The Franz Josef Land commitment will be enabled by collaboration with the Russian-Austrian research activity developed through the FEMAP IPY Project.

How will the project be organised and managed?
A modular management structure will be directed by Hodson at Sheffield. The modules and their personnel (managers in bold) are: 1. Science 1.1 Thermodynamics/surface physics: Hodson and Fountain 1.2 Microbes: Laybourn-Parry, Sattler, Anesio, Priscu 1.3 Biogeochemistry: Tranter, Hodson, Lyons* 2. Logistics (coordinators only) 2.1 Svalbard (Hodson) 2.2 Franz Josef Land (Sattler) 2.3 Dry Valleys (Fountain) 2.4 Vestfold (Layourn-Parry) (*Prof. B. Lyons - Byrd Polar Research Center, USA – other participants are detailed below)

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project will be publicised using existing local channels and outreach initiatives (too many to list here). The participants are also well known for disseminating their work via international journals and conferences. In addition, two of the UK institutions are active Worldwide Universities Network participants and so we will also consider dissemination via virtual seminars. We therefore only require information regarding internationally coordinated plans from the IPY committee.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
We will use national data deposition centres, project web sites and IPY coordinated international data bases to enable data access.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
National Funding Agencies and existing funds.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Andy Hodson
Geography Department
University of Sheffield
S. Yorks
S10 2TN
UK

Tel: 00 44 114 2227950
Mobile:
Fax: 00 44 114 2797912
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information