Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Micronutrients in Antarctic coastal seawaters — determinants of primary production  (MACS 07-08)

Outline
Seawaters of coastal Antarctica and beyond into the Southern Ocean are replete in the macronutrients (N, P and Si), but primary production is sporadic and operates below capacity. Deep mixing of surface waters, low light levels and limiting concentrations of micronutrients intervene are plausible factors. The goal of the project covered by this ‘Expression of Intent’ is to look at the last item: micronutrients, and in particular trace elements, such as iron, manganese, cobalt and zinc. Our study region will be coastal waters off Adélie Land. The science goal is aligned with the international program GEOTRACES (http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/res/pi/geotraces/index.html) that is promoting study of trace elements and isotopic tracers.The first task will be to establish baseline levels of selected micronutrients in the full water column (including Circumpolar Deep Water, CDW, and Antarctic Bottom Water, AABW) of this sector. Information gained, when combined with that of other sectors from related international surveys during IPY, will provide the first circumpolar description of micronutrients. Further elements of our research will resolve sources, internal cycling and sinks for micronutrients in the region. Current paradigms suggest that their supply is mostly from the upwelling of deep waters, such as CDW. However, the seasonality of this upwelling (maximum in autumn and winter) and strong advection northward suggest that the effective supply for primary production may not be as great as predicted. Other less-favoured sources, such as atmospheric deposition and inputs from shelf sediments, will also be included in our program to assess their potential influence. Of special interest in Antarctic coastal waters is the impetus provided by the melting of sea ice after it has trapped atmospheric deposition over the time the sea was frozen over. Elucidation of chemical fluxes at the marine interfaces (sea-air, sediment-water and continental margin) is a theme of GEOTRACES, as is the internal cycling of chemical substances. In regard to the latter, we shall be investigating the uptake of micronutrients in surface waters by either biological assimilation or through adsorption to particulates, and losses by settling of detritus.Our strategy for carrying out the field program is multi-faceted — founded primarily on research voyages planned for the region in IPY, where interpretation of micronutrient distribution is underpinned by an extensive set of multidisciplinary oceanographic and ecological observations. Supplementary data will be obtained from polar resupply ships (sampling surface waters and the atmospheric boundary layer while underway) and also conceivably measurements at land bases.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Our EoI accords with Themes 1 and 3, and practically provides a benchmark for Theme 2. Results from our research will yield information on the present status of micronutrients in Antarctic coastal waters, and their influence upon autotrophic organisms. This is a prerequisite to understanding of the carbon cycle and ecosystem response to ‘chemical forcing’. Moreover, our work will look at an aspect of atmosphere-ocean-ice interaction in the manner of supply and moderation of micronutrients in polar seawaters.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The prospective project will draw first on formal partners of the Antarctic Climate & Ecosystem CRC in New Zealand and Germany, but we also anticipate collaboration with UK (Southampton Oceanography Centre and University of Plymouth) and French and US polar scientists/oceanographers. These arrangements are yet to be finalised

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The region for the proposed field work is coastal waters of Adélie Land (and possibly Wilkes Land) from 60° S to approximately the Antarctic Circle, and latitudes 110°–150° E.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 01/07 – 12/08            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The main logistic support required for this project is berths and laboratory space on research/resupply vessels (specifically ice breakers or ice-strengthened ships). These requirements are already intended to be satisfied as part of multi-project proposals for resources.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The proposed project will leave a scientific legacy in the form of baseline observations against which future changes can be assessed, protocols/procedures for monitoring micronutrients in polar waters (including an underway micronutrient mapping system), and possibly an extended observational network in the study region

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Logistics (berths, laboratory space, shipboard equipment, etc.) will be mainly provided by the Australian Antarctic Science scheme (administered by the Australian Antarctic Division), but it will be supplemented by access to shipboard and shore-based Clean Laboratory facilities provided by CSIRO Marine Research and ACE CRC (University of Tasmania)

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Endorsed by National Committee (ANCAR)

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?

The proposed project will form part of planned Australian Antarctic Science activities, such as the multi-disciplinary project slated for the reoccupation of the SR3 transect, and the Census of Marine Life initiative.

How will the project be organised and managed?
If the project is approved, it will take place as an official activity of the Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems CRC, with an approved project plan and budget and a designated project leader. It will be organised, managed and audited in line with policies of the CRC and its member organisations, with task schedules, milestones and formal reporting and communications requirements.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Educational aims of the project will be met by the involvement of postgraduate students in the scientific program (viz. they will receive training as part of the activities). Communication issues (scientific and public) will be covered in a specific plan as part of the full project proposal in line with ACE CRC and member agency requirements.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Data management is an automatic requirement of AAS projects, and is overseen by the Australian Antarctic Data Centre. In addition, the ACE CRC and CSIRO Marine Research have data management policies, and the latter an active data centre. It is expected that project data and meta-data will be lodged in a timely manner.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding for the logistics will be met by an application to Australian Antarctic Science scheme. Scientist salaries and operating funds will be met by member institutions of the ACE CRC, and a request to the Australian Federal Government for an extraordinary allocation in support of a major international program (IPY)

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
It is intended that this project will be complementary and consistent with other international programs investigating micronutrients in polar environments (e.g. European BONUS program ), and it is hoped that it might be recognised by GEOTRACES and SOLAS programs. The links will be developed as our proposed project is more specifically formulated. Our proposal will as a matter of course be linked with other proposed Australian projects—specifically the Climate & Southern Ocean EoI (Steve Rintoul) and the Census of Antarctic Marine Life EoI (Michael Stoddart).

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Edward Butler
CSIRO Marine Research
GPO Box 1538
Hobart, Tasmania
7001
Australia

Tel: +61 3 6232 5276
Mobile:
Fax: +61 3 6232 5000
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information