Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Trans-Oceanic Plankton in the Atlantic Sub-Arctic  (TOPASA)

Outline
Two Calanus spp have established large populations in the Nordic Seas. Both copepods support production of fish populations that are large commercial resources. C. finmarchicus has a more eastern distribution than C. hyperboreus that dominates the western parts. However, both accumulate on both sides of the Nordic Seas basin in autumn. To which extent this is due to regional reproduction or cross-oceanic advection from either side, is not resolved. Overwhelming evidence has established that planktonic stages of juvenile fish drift from spawning grounds on the Norwegian shelf to 0-group habitats in Svalbard waters. Occasional observation of planktonic larvae of neritic zoobenthos in the deep Norwegian Sea, may indicate that spreading by currents connects marine communities on the Norwegian shelf with that of Jan Mayen Island and East Greenland. Plankton may carry industrial pollutants from Europe and account for occurrence of non-degradable toxins observed in seabirds and freshwater fish on Jan Mayen Island. Meroplanktonic stages of species found in benthic communities in Norway possibly recruit to Jan Mayen communities. In the suggested project, the objective is to observe indications of trans-oceanic connections between the Norwegian coast and the seas around Jan Mayen. Observations on plankton and the physical environment will be made in the Vestfjord region of Norway, and at Jan Mayen and Svalbard. The study will address seasonal changes in inter-specific community structures and intra-specific demographic development. Tracers like neritic species, copepod DNA structure, individual copepodite size, fatty acid ratios and components of anthropogenic origin will be studied to observe indications of origin. Local observations will be made at regular intervals during more than one year. Trans-oceanic gradients in plankton composition and the physical environment will be studied by research vessel campaigns during crossings between Norway and Jan Mayen in ice-free season (May-September).

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Theme #1.3. The project will uncover information on how major copepod populations in the Arctic Mediterranean Ecosystem are structured and how components are exchanged on large spatial scales due to ruling currents that are forced by global climate processes. The empirical evidence will be of importance to conceptual modelling and validation of numerical ecosystem models.Theme #2.1-3. An improved understanding on how planktonic biomass is linked to advection of water by currents is of vital importance to understand effects of climate on ecosystem structure and diversity, and their socio-economic consequences.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
TOPASA will be a joint project between: Alfred-Wegener Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Germany; Bodoe University College, Norway; Institute of Oceanology, Poland; Norwegian College of Fisheries; Norwegian Polar Institute; Sir Allister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science, UK; Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
1) Waters at and around Jan Mayen Island, 2) the Saltfjord at Bodoe, 3) transect between Jan Mayen and the Lofoten Islands in Norway, and 4) north-western Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago. 2 2 Define the approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities?

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 03/07 – 12/08            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
A manned meteorological station on Jan Mayen Island will be requested to sample zooplankton and physical seawater parameters from near-shore and near-surface positions. Similar techniques will be applied in the Saltfjord near Bodoe. During the light season from May to September both years, monthly campaigns with a research vessel will be carried out along transects between Norway and Jan Mayen, and around the island. R/V”Oscar Sund” may service sampling requested by other IPY projects. The Norwegian Polar Institute will contribute R/V”Lance” for Svalbard operations.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
After the Loran-C station closes the project may legitimise an expanded staff may serve lasting international field research at the island. Vacant buildings that serve IPY 2007-08, may be replaced by new buildings serving as a permanent international field station for scientific research. Established scientific routines may be continued.

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

Local logistics on Jan Mayen is expected to be in place during the course of 2006. Sampling routines and analyses in Bodoe are established. Bodoe University College owns the appropriate 346 tonne (29.4m, 98’) multipurpose R/V”Oscar Sund” that will serve sampling along the oceanic transect to Jan Mayen, and in its waters.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The option was discussed by 22 international scientists in a NATO Advanced Research Workshop, Oslo 11-15 November 2003. They discussed IPY 2007-08 and endorsed the topics of this project (Skreslet S (Ed.) 2004. Jan Mayen in Scientific Focus. Kluwer Academic Publishers. 363 pp).

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?

It is partly a continuation of empirical observations made by the partners, but only in southern, eastern and northern parts of the Nordic Seas, not at Jan Mayen other than short and sporadic field campaigns during summer. The comprehensive and basin-scale study of seasonal and spatial variation is new.

How will the project be organised and managed?
100 words maxThe head office for logistics, field operations and scientific coordination will be at the Department of Fisheries and Natural Sciences at the Bodoe University College. Year-round shore-based sampling of plankton and physical oceanographical data at Jan Mayen will be negotiated with the Norwegian weather service. Year-round sampling in Norway will be made by Bodoe University College. The different partners will provide scientific advice, logistical experience, analytical capacity, and publishing power. The project will require an administrative steering group of shareholders, but scientific matters will be handled by egalitarian management that honour knowledge and expertise.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The results will strengthen scientific concepts and modelling of the marine ecosystem of the Nordic Seas. Conclusions will support recommendations from ICES on resource management. Good empirical evidence and theoretical concepts reaching teaching schedules and text books will stimulate students to develop polar interests.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Bodoe University College store and maintain all data in its marine database. A metadatabase under establishment in collaboration with the Governor of Jan Mayen, will ensure that data will be available to all. The Norwegian Polar Institute will be involved to communicate with relevant national and international databases.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
A field staff of 10 technicians may be expected to operate on Jan Mayen from 2006. Some may do sampling and maintenance of instruments at a low cost. Sampling on stations in the Vestfjord area will be incorporated in standard routines run on the budget of Bodoe University College. The use of R/V”Oscar Sund” that may carry 100 tonnes of equipment and cargo is expected to be a shared financial responsibility where some basic costs are covered by Bodoe University College, while extra crew, living costs, fuel and other running costs may be shared by project budgets and Norwegian operators that manage shipping of cargo to Jan Mayen. R/V”Lance” is supposed to support several projects that involve the Norwegian Polar Institute.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Running of research vessels in the Nordic Seas may become an international joint venture during IPY 2007-08. The ships may exchange services regarding sampling at sea, transportation of equipment and personnel related to a range of projects at sea and on land. Bodoe University College would welcome national and international coordination of ship operations. Bodoe is the national harbour for Arctic shipping.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Associate Professor Stig Skreslet
Bodoe


N-8049
Norway

Tel: +47 755 17 496
Mobile: +47 994 59 010
Fax: +47 755 17 484
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information