Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

A Japanese-Swedish Antarctic Traverse  (JASAT)

Outline
Highly resolved physico-chemical characterization of the Antarctic air snow interface: understanding the present to learn about the past for assessing the future A traverse is planned to go between the Japanese station Syowa and the Swedish station Wasa, via the deep ice core drilling sites Dome Fuji and EPICA-DML. It is part of the international project TASTE-IDEA. The route will cover areas in both the Antarctic Southern Atlantic Ocean sector and the Antarctic Indian Ocean sector. The traverse is planned for the austral summer 2007/08. The scientific programme is linked to the International Trans Antarctic Scientific Expeditions (IGBP-ITASE), the Japanese deep ice core drilling programme Dome F (NIPR) and the European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica (EPICA). The ITASE-programme is aiming at determining the spatial variability of the Antarctic climate and environment over the last 200 years, and where data are available, the last 1000 years. The deep ice core drilling programmes are aiming at determining the temporal variability of climate and environment over several glacial cycles (hundred thousands of years). Because the remoteness of the continent, Antarctica is an ideal location to study local-to-global scale changes in climate and biogeochemical cycles. ITASE will produce continental scale "environmental maps"; elucidate processes of atmosphere and snow/ice interactions; verify atmospheric models; and interpolate spatial time-series determined from satellite remote sensing. The identification of spatial gradients in ice core properties will be linked to the interpretation of deep ice core records (e.g. Vostok, Dome F, EPICA-DC and EPICA –DML). The science plan consists of different modules of measurements. One overall aim is to make a highly resolved physico-chemical characterization of the Antarctic air snow interface. Some specific scientific aims for this traverse are: -Produce a “steady state EPICA-DML deep ice core record” based on surface measurements along the flow line. The deep ice core reflects climate and environmental variability over time. The aim with this study is to develop a synthetic ice core record describing a steady state system based on the present climate and atmospheric circulation -Determine variability of accumulation rate of snow. To produce a useful model for accumulation rate variability and megadune surveys on East Antarctica. -Model backscatter from ENVISAT ASAR (satellite sensor) over Antarctic firn/snow. -Characterize the atmospheric aerosol. The goals are to provide information about the aerosol physio-chemical properties and study their spatial variability. -Study air-snow transfer processes by simultaneous measurements in air and snow. -Study changes in position of ice divide and basal processes. Internal structures give information on different kind of perturbation in the ice such as irregularities in accumulation pattern with time, influence of bed topography and basal melting. -Mapping surface and bedrock topography along the ice divide

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
We will map new the present state of a section of Antarctica, We will analyse ice cores covering the last 1500 years,we will add to the understanding of deep ice cores, and improve the understanding between the southern and the northern Atlantic system, We will use new instruments to analyse air and map the inerior of the ice sheet, we will sample environmental and climate data from areas never touched by human hands.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This is basically a Japanese-Swedish collaboration, but we will invite scientists of other nationalities to join the traverse and it will be part of the large programme TASTE-IDEA.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Wasa station (73oS, 13oW)-Kohnen (75oS, 0oE), 75oS 15oE, Dome Fuji (77oS, 38oE), Syowa station (69oS, 39oE).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 10/2007-03/2008            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Tracked vehicles, Radar equipment, coring equipment for medium depth, flight support.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Weather stations, satellite reflectors, snow stakes.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project has been endorsed by the Swedish national IPY committee, by ITASE and by TASTE-IDEA.

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?
Expansion
This is part of the existing SCAR-IGBP-ITASE but new within the frame TASTE-IDEA.

How will the project be organised and managed?
From the Swedish side the traverse will be planned within the Swedish Polar secretariat , The national Research Council and the science programme will be chaired by prof Per Holmlund, Stockholm University. There will be one Swedish scientific committee and a corresponding Japanese committee and they will both collaborate with SCAR-IGBP-ITASE and TASTE-IDEA.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We will create web sites and keep steady contact with press and schools during the traverse.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Data management will follow the SCAR guidelines.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Sweden: The Swedish Research Council (VR), The Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (FORMAS). And European funding and other Swedish national sources.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Per Holmlund
Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology
Stockholm University
106 91 Stockholm
Sweden

Tel: +46-8 164811
Mobile:
Fax: +46-8164818
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information