Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

ANDEEP-SYSTCO (ANtarctic benthic DEEP-sea biodiversity: colonisation history and recent community patterns - SYSTem COupling)  (ANDEEP-SYSTCO)

Outline
ANDEEP-SYSTCO will build on results from ANDEEP I-III. The effort required is far greater than what can be achieved by any one nation. ANDEEP-SYSTCO can only be a multi-national, multi-disciplinary assault. The scientific approach of ANDEEP – SYSTCO will be: - to build on the international and interdisciplinary investigations which were begun during ANDEEP I-III. - to add a novel, innovative aspect to polar biological research - and to ANDEEP - by involving scientists from different disciplines, such as atmospheric sciences, climatology, hydrography, planktology, physical oceanography, geophysics, geology, sedimentology, bathymetry etc. to shed light on atmospheric-pelagic-benthic coupling processes. - to broaden the scientific scope of ANDEEP, by the use of innovative technology (modern satellites, very fine-meshed plankton samplers, novel sea-bed landers, ROVs, plankton suctors, etc.), to train a new generation of polar scientists. Important issues to address are: Atmosphere: measurements of parameters like aerosols, ozone, reflectivity, UV irradiance, or volcanic activity (SO2) via spacecrafts (e.g. Adeos, Nimbus, OMI) will for example inform about the particle load of the atmosphere, and the magnitude of light penetration (e g. Cryosat for surface fluxes and vertical profiles of the fluxes in the atmospheric boundary layer). Plankton: influence of atmospheric processes on processes in the water column, of the biogeochemistry of the surface water on primary productivity, the importance (e.g. biomass and diversity) of the nanoplankton in the food web, vertical changes in the plankton community to abyssal depths. Benthos: biology of abyssal key species. Role of the bottom-nepheloid layer for recruitment (larvae) of benthic animals (plankton suctor). Influence of quantity and quality of food sinking through the water column on abyssal life. Functional morphology & physiology of abyssal animals. (Measurements of the stable isotopes 15N and 13C to estimate the trophic position of dominant pelagic and benthic animals, to determine carbon flow to the consumers. Seabed characteristics: Effects of sedimentology, biogeochemistry, and pore water on benthic life in time and space (palaeontology). Sedimentation rates and processes over time (geophysics, sub-bottom 3.5 kHZ profiler; detailed bathymetric mapping). As an integrated and interdisciplinary approach is of prime importance, all scientists must work simultaneously. To accommodate the expected high number of scientists, and to allow for efficient work, we plan to employ one or two major polar research vessels or alternatively a second charter vessel besides an icebreaker.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Theme 1: the integrated approach will match the complexity of the polar environment Theme 2: change can only be detected against a benchmark. ANDEEP-SYSTCO will provide such a benchmark for one of the least explored ecosystems of the planet, the deep sea of the Southern Ocean Theme 3: contrary to what is known of the Antarctic shelf, the deep waters of the Southern Ocean are connected to adjacent abyssal plains. Most likely, distributional patterns of benthic deep-sea organisms are influenced by these connections world-wide. Theme 4: see theme 2

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
International cooperation: ANDEEP collaborators (13 nations) and potential overlaps with ideas 80 SCACE, 57 sea ice thickness, 67 ANTSYO, 119 biogeogr. and biodiversity, 124 cryosphere/biosphere interactions. Crucial for Census of Antarctic Marine Life.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Southern Ocean deep sea, Greenwich Transect from South Africa towards the Weddell Sea (or alternatively Drake Passage and Bellingshausen & Amundsen Sea).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 12/07 - 03/08            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
> ice-breaker plus one additional ship (can be shared with other projects) > 10.000 m of wire > sufficient crew to work for 24 hours (three teams in shifts)

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No infrastructure will remain, however, there will be a large data resource that will be used for the CoML projects CeDAMar, CAML and OBIS.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency
Commercial operator
Own support
Other sources of support

Possibly additional funds from the ministry of science and education trough the German White Paper submitted by the D-IPY committee.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The German (D-IPY) included this EoI in the list of potential German contributions to IPY. Letters of support of ANDEEP-SYSTCO were sent to us by A. Huiskes, chief officer of SCAR, Ron O Dor, senior scientist, CoML International Secretariat, and M. Stodda

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?
Exp
SCAR-EBA: Overarching objectives are nearly identical with the major goals of ANDEEP-SYSTCO. CeDAMar and Census of Marine Life (CoML): ANDEEP is one of the two German founding projects of CeDAMar. CAML: ANDEEP-SYSTCO will fit perfectly into CAML as it is already part of CoML through its role within CeDAMar.

How will the project be organised and managed?
By a major group of international scientists involved in the Census of Marine Life Projects CAML and CeDAMar. Brandt, Angelika, Zoologisches Institut und Zoologisches Museum, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, abrandt@zoologie.uni-hamburg.de, Hilbig, Brigitte, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Geb. ND 05/755, 44780 Bochum, bhilbig@senckenberg.de, Dr. U. Bathmann, Alfred-Wegener-Institute of Polar- and Marine Sciences, ubathmann@awi-bremerhaven.de, Dr. V. Strass, Alfred-Wegener-Institute of Polar- and Marine Sciences, ubathmann@awi-bremerhaven.de, Prof. Dr.C. De Broyer, Institut royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique, Claude.debroyer@naturalsciences.be, Dr. A Gooday, Southampton Oceanography Centre,andrew.gooday@soc.soton.ac.uk

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Public outreach via CoML (websites, possibly major press release through Reutters, public service announcements through CNN international, exhibitions in public spaces), articles in daily newspapers, digital video recording, Alfred-Wegener Institute’s public outreach department .

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Biodiversity information and related environmental data: CoML – OBIS GBIF Pangaea.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Expedition and data analysis: through national science foundations of participating nations. Database management and public outreach: the Census of Marine Life (proposal to the Sloan Foundation underway). Possible additional funding through the German ministry of science and technology.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
With regard to coupling processes the IPY-proposal SCACE shares most scientific ideas with ANDEEP-SYSTCO.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Pro Angelika Brandt
Zoological Institute and Zoological Museum
Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3
University of Hamburg
20146
Germany

Tel: +49-40-4123-2278
Mobile:
Fax: +49-40-4123-3937
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information