Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Trends in the marine environment of the Barents Sea from the first to the second IPY  (TREBAR)

Outline
The Barents Sea is an unique arctic region from different points of view. On a larger scale, the Barents Sea is one of the major pathways for the transport of water from the Atlantic into the Arctic Ocean. It is a region where Atlantic and Arctic water masses meet, and where there is a strong interaction between ocean, sea-ice and atmosphere. On a regional scale, the Barents Sea is becoming an increasingly important source of food and mineral resources. Since the first IPY marine environment of the Barents Sea had dramatic changes due to changes of natural processes and anthropogenic impact. Alongside their economic interests, the neighbouring countries of Russia and Norway have a long history of research in the Barents Sea. We propose multidisciplinary project, which results will allow us to better understand present state and half-century changes of the different components, physical and biological environment of the Barents Sea. The aims of this project are: • To combine Norwegian and Russian expertise to examine long-timescale variability in the physical and biological environment of the Barents Sea and to understand the physical processes controlling the marine climate in this region. • To improve our knowledge of the Barents Sea environment with the outcome of a better understanding of possible future changes to the climate and ecology, and the consequences of changes for biological systems. • To establish the best way of monitoring and predicting these changes and their consequences. Specific tasks will include: Task 1: The gathering relevant historical data on environmental variables (e.g. ice conditions, hydrography, contaminants in ice, water and bottom sediments, primary production and bio resources) Task 2: The identification of variability on inter-annual and decadal timescales and evaluation of long-term trends of sea ice conditions (e.g. ice cover, ice concentration and ice drift) in the Barents Sea. Task 3: The determination of the mean, or characteristic, three-dimensional structure of hydrography, water circulation and sea level of the Barents Sea from the historical dataset and evaluation of long-term trends in these parameters. Task 4: The identification of the present level of contaminant and evaluation of changes of their concentrations in different components of physical and biological environment. Task 5: The evaluation of the impact of changes of the physical environment on biological systems using biological measurements from the historical dataset. Task 6: The identification of representative regions for monitoring long-term changes using observational data and model results.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
•Creation of the integrated historical data set that will be used for statistical analysis and model validations. •Evaluation of processes controlling the climate of the Barents Sea and the effects of changes in that climate. •Determination of the present state and quantitative evaluation of long-term trends and their causes in different components of physical and biological environment. •Conceptual model of future scenarios of changes in Barents Sea environment due to both natural climate variability and to possible human influences. •Establishment new representative site (section) for future long–term joint Norwegian-Russian monitoring of the Barents Sea.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Consortium of active collaborators consists of 6 partners from Norway, Russia and Ukraine.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Fieldwork will be carried out in the Barents Sea area with the special focus on the gaps in previous observations. Based on analyses of the historical data, the new representative site (section) for future long–term joint Norwegian-Russian monitoring of the Barents Sea will be established.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: January-December 2008            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Several research platforms will be available for use by the consortium including: 1) NPI R/V Lance, vessels of PINRO and VNIIOkeangeologia, 2)Russian and Norwegian existing coastal stations in the Barents Sea. The resources can also be used by other projects.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
We plan: 1) To establish new representative site (section) for future long–term joint Norwegian-Russian monitoring of the Barents Sea. Russian-Norwegian committee for planning and management of field on this site will be organised. 2) To integrate historical Norwegian and Russian data sets.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The proposal will be submitted to the national IPY committees of the participating countries for endorsement.

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 consortium has ongoing projects that will operate into the IPY period. New applications will be sent both to national and international funding agency.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The overall project coordinators will be headed by Vladimir Pavlov (NPI) and JoLynn Carroll (APN) from Norwegian side, and Vasiliy Mishin (PINRO) and Valeriy Kaminskiy (VNIIOkeangeologia) from Russian side. Each work package (WP) will have leader, responsible for coordination of all tasks of the WP.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The PhD students from joint AARI–NPI FRAM lab will be incorporate to this project. Students will have practice in the institutes of consortium and expeditions. Further dedicated courses will be offered through UNIS (University in Svalbard). Prepare and maintain a public web-site; popular articles on the public web pages.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
The data management will be handled within the operating data management system in associated Institutes. Project web site will contain all data created in the project and these data will be made publicly available.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Joint funding of national programmes/projects.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Vladimir Pavlov
Norwegian Polar Institute, Polar Environmental Centre


N-9296
Norway

Tel: +47 77750516
Mobile: +47 90626955
Fax: +47 77750501
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information