Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Southern Ocean Iceberg Census  (SOIC)

Outline
The calving of icebergs from Antarctic ice shelves and their subsequent drift, melting, and decay initiate a significant transport of mass in terms of freshwater (and mineral dust) from the ice sheet to the upper Southern Ocean. This results in the stabilisation of the weakly stratified water column with consequences for sea ice and water mass characteristics, and the fertilisation of the iron-depleted euphotic zone. Medium and small-sized icebergs, neglected by regular iceberg observation from space, might contribute substantially to the balances of mass (ice sheet) and freshwater (ocean), and upper ocean biomass production. Satellite observations at different resolution will be investigated with a pattern-recognition software to identify and track together, where available, with ship based observations icebergs with a minimum length of one kilometer from their sites of calving (and breakup from large bergs) to decay. We will look for an appropriate sensor measuring iceberg hight to quantify the mass losses of the ice sheet and the bergs. To guide the image acquisition and/or the search for the relevant image, two sophisticated numerical models will be used to predict the iceberg drift within the seasonally ice-covered ocean as well as the internal forces during the life-cycle of an iceberg. The results will be validated by means of ship observations and iceberg buoys, equipped with sensors for position, and partly for air pressure, strain and tilt, reporting via the ARGOS system. Due to the time-intensive work and the high costs of image acquisition, it is planed to devide the Southern Ocean in several sectors, each in the responsibility of a different nation/ agency/institute. Such partitioning requires a high degree of standardisation and communication between the groups, i.e., using a common or linked data depositories via the internet. This network can be also used for the exchange and depository of other data from other disciplines working in the Southern Ocean. To transfer the social/economical aspects of iceberg research, i.e., future freshwater reservoirs, CO2 dumping, sea level rise due to instability of ice shelves, to the society, we plan to prepare in the framework of the well established “AWI School Project” material for 11th -12th grade classes and involve the students in basic procedures of iceberg tracking, and data management and analysis.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Iceberg calving represents the largest but most unknown component of the mass balance of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, the most threatening contributor to sea level rise. Knowledge about calving rates, as possible indicator for the stability of an ice shelf and its feeding ice streams (e.g., Larsen-B) is essential for determining the status of the ice cap. In the near future, clean freshwater might become a rare resource. Information about iceberg tracks and preferred sites of decay noth of 60oS might support commercial efforts of iceberg “harvesting”. Anthropogenic CO2 sequestration due to iron-fertilisation of the upper Southern Ocean is considered as being feasible. Though the quantity still has to be determined, the dust input of icebergs to the upper ocean by strong melting, predominantly near the Polar Front, might already demonstrate the natural manuring of the euphotic zone. Therefore, this project will achive significant advances to all IPY themes but no.6.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The time-intensive work and the high costs of data acquisition will be shared between groups from Australia, Germany, U.K., and the U.S.A. (see 4.2 for further details).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Circumpolar Southern Ocean south of 50oS

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 2007 (whole year)      2008 (whole year)      2009 (whole year)

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Satellites, ship observations by opportunity, and a central data depository.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The software for pattern recognition (also usable for sea ice), a central data depository, and a communication network will be installed. Due to the “natural cycle” of ice shelf front advance and retreat (its period yet has to be determined), a long time series is necessary for well-founded conclusions which might push the project beyond the IPY period by up to 20 years.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
National endorsement is anticipated.

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

How will the project be organised and managed?
Coordination of the project will be located at one of the participating institutes, preferably at the site of the data depository, but each institute is solely responsible for its dedicated sector of the Southern Ocean. Exchange of software, adjustment of data acquisition, data transfer, and everyday communication will happen via the internet. Workshops will be held at the beginning of the project as start-up and continue at annual to bi-annual frequency. Results considering the dedicated sector will be published by members of the related institute, while general work encompassing the Southern Ocean, e.g., mass balance issues, will be published jointly.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
As part of the “AWI School Project” which teaches 11th and 12th grades in physics, chemistry, biology, math, and English with great success, the focus will be for one semester on iceberg physics, chemistry, and biology. This will include the introduction to flow mechanics, application of a simple numerical iceberg model, and the chemical and biological analysis of ice cores retrived from tagged bergs. The material, prepared in English, will be made public and provided free of charge.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
The project will use the ICSU-WDC “Marine and Environmental Sciences” at the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, as central data depository. Due to the use of standardised software for iceberg identification and tracking, and open access (for the community) to the iceberg buoy data, validation of the census will be conducted decentralised at the participating institutes.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We anticipate support from national sources like BMBF and/or DFG (Germany), NERC (U.K.), and NSF (U.S.A.), and from various Space Agencies, particularly ESA, CSA, and NASA.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Hartmut Hellmer
Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research
Bussestrasse 24
Bremerhaven
27570
Germany

Tel: +49 471 4831-1794
Mobile:
Fax: +49 471 4831-1797
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information