Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Complex Researches of the Environment Condition at the high latitudes of the Arctic ocean on the board "Academic Fedorov"  (Arctic CREC)

Outline
Under the given project it is supposed to execute complex researches of the environment condition of the Arctic ocean in zones of penetration into the Arctic basin of the Atlantic waters, paying special attention on their distribution and transformation.The basic goals of the project are:- a definition of a modern condition a component of the Arctic climatic and ecological system in the Arctic basin and the seas of the western part of the Arctic;- a deepening of knowledges about the mechanisms of formation of the climatic and ecological processes in Arctic regions;- a development of scientific bases of forecasting of global climatic changes, an ecological condition of environment and modernization of methods of the hydrometeorological forecastsThe solution of these problems should be carried out by a sea expedition in high latitudes on board the ship "Academic Fedorov".The complex character this expedition assumes a existence of the several independent subprograms that are cooperating in the general scientific program: 1 physical oceanography and water dynamics; 2 hydrochemistry and monitoring of the pollution; 3 processes of interaction in system “ an atmosphere - sea ice - upper layer of the sea ” 4 sea ice; 5 sea biology and cryobiology; 6 sea geology and geochemistry. The practical realization of the given subprograms will be carried out by the separate groups generated in structure of expedition.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
As is known, systematic researches of Arctic regions have begun in 30th years of the XX century. During the last 70 years various changes of a condition of system "atmosphere - ice - ocean" were marked in the Arctic regions. However during the last ten years in high latitudes are marked the processes that allow to assume not a short time deviation of climatic system from a normal condition but the transition of all system in a new condition. The available data on a condition of the natural environment of high latitudes of the Arctic mainly belong to 60-70-th years of XX century. In this connection is represented the necessary the modern diagnosing of a condition of an atmosphere, hydrosphere and cryosphere in the high latitudes of the Arctic. Thus, will be received the necessary data for an estimation of the changes which have occurred in a condition of the natural environment of Arctic ocean, for a studying of the processes that led to these changes, and an estimation of their consequences. The main advantage given by this project is that only such and similar projects can realized the first stage of any researches of the natural environment: measurements and observations of the various characteristics of an atmosphere, ice and ocean and the creation of initial databases of the information that are necessary for the further researches.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The high-latitude complex Arctic sea expedition on the board "Academic Fedorov" should be a part of the general experiment directed on obtaining of the information about a environmental condition in the Arctic regions as a whole and Arctic ocean in particular. In leading of this experiment should be involved not only icebreakers ("Oden", "Polarstern", "Polarstar", "Amundsen" "Captain Dranitsyn") and vessels of a strengthened ice class ("Academic Fedorov", "Michael Somov"), but also vessels of lower ice classes which can be used for leading the research works in the seas Greenland, Norwegian, Barents, Bering, southern areas of the Arctic seas. In this connection it is necessary to create and coordinate the general international program of the complex researches of a condition of the natural environment in the Arctic ocean.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
It is supposed, that "Academic Fedorov" will execute complex researches in area of a continental slope and troughs crossing it in areas:- between Spitsbergen and Franz Josef land;- between Franz Josef land and islands of Severnaja Zemlja;- in northern part of the Laptev sea;- in pole abyssal plain.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 08/07-09/07            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The scientific group of expedition will be based on board "Academic Fedorov" that belong Arctic and Antarctic scientific research institute. Besides it are required:- the ice breaker (episodically) for service of a vessel in the thick compactness ice;- the helicopter for the investigation of the way in the ice and for the ice researches;- snowmobiles for moving on the ice at work by the ice stations;- the oceanographic equipment (winches, cables, hydrozondes, bathometers and so forth)/

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
YES - For realization of this project the modern equipment will be got and the instrument park of "Academic Fedorov" will be renovate. This modern equipment will be used in following expeditions and scientific researches after the termination IPY.

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

1) The equipment of expedition is provided with Arctic high-latitude expedition of AARI; 2) "Academician Fedorov" is given by the initiator and the main executor of this project the shipowner - the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute 3) The icebreakers are chartered at Murmansk sea shipping company 4) The helicopter will be rented for the period of works at commercial airline of Saint Petersburg

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
YES - The Government of the Russian Federation is accepted the decision on formation of the organizing committee on participation of the Russian Federation in preparation and leading of actions during the International Polar Year 2007/08.

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?
YES
This project is new, but it is directly connected to researches of the natural environment of Arctic regions which were carried out during XX century.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The complex expedition on board "Academic Fedorov" will be carry out in view of programs research of the nature of the World ocean which are submitted in the Russian Federal Target Programs and Federal Target scientific and technical programs. The Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute that function in system of Federal service on hydrometeorology and the control of the natural environment of the Russian Federation becomes the leading organization of this project. All interested research organizations of Federal Hydrometereology and Environmental Monitoring Service, of Russian Academy of science, of the Ministry of Education and also the foreign research organizations will be invited to participation in the project.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
All stages of realization of this project: preparation of the program of works, of the equipment of expedition, the movement on a route, the preliminary results of work, etc. will be covered with use of mass media, using channels of TV, radio and the Internet. The basic results of expedition will be published in scientific and popular scientific national and international editions.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
It is supposed that the data received as a result of works under the given project outside of economical zones of the Russian Federation will be accessible to all participants of the project. The management of the data will be carried out through the national data centers.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
It is supposed, that the basic financing of the project will be carried out through Federal Hydrometereology and Environmental Monitoring Service on a budgetary basis. The organizations that will wish to take part in complex expedition on board "Academic Fedorov" in high latitudes of Arctic regions, should finance the participation in expedition self (the purchase of the equipment, the residing on a vessel, the use of a vessel or the helicopter for the decision of the specialized problems and so forth).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
We consider the expedition that is declared in this project, as one of elements of the general large international project that is directed on creation of the information on a condition of the nature in Arctic regions as a whole and Arctic ocean in particular.The hydrological measurements in the Arctic ocean should be carried out synchronously, on a uniform methodical and instrument basis. It is necessary to take into account, that large vessels are the factor significally deforming a condition of the upper layer of an ocean. In this connection it is expedient to consider an opportunity to produce the hydrological works from drifting ice, using the helicopter that base on board research vessels.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Director of AARI Ivan Frolov
Arctic & Antarctic Research Institute (AARI, Russian Hydrometeorological Service)
Bering St. 38
Saint-Petersburg
199397
Russia

Tel: 812-352-1520
Mobile:
Fax: 812-352-2791
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information