Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Study of grounded ice discharge in the East Antarctica  (SGIDEA)

Outline
The knowledge on regime and evolution of the Antarctic Ice Sheet is of high priority for understanding the problem of global climate change. The sea level changes among others depend on the state of the Antarctic Ice Sheet and, in particular, on the processes which occur in the different parts of the ice sheet. Antarctic Ice Sheet plays an important role in the global climate and therefore reflects the climate changes that closely link to interactions within the ice sheet – ocean – atmosphere system. Existing knowledge on the current state of Antarctic Ice Sheet and possible scenarios of its evolution are not satisfactory.The mass balance is one of the most important indicators of the state and regime of the Antarctic Ice Sheet; the discharge of the grounded ice reflects the main tendencies in the negative part of its mass balance.The regular instrumental studies of the grounded ice discharge of the Antarctic Ice Sheet were started within the frames of International Geophysical Year (IGY) in 1957-58. At the moment the essential data value the grounded ice discharge of the Antarctic Ice Sheet is collected.The aim of the project is to summarize all data available on the grounded ice discharge of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet obtained by national and international programs during last 50 years, i.e. from IGY to IPY 2007-08. The tasks for proposed project are the following. 1. To collect and analyze the data available on ice velocities near grounding line of main outlet glaciers and ice streams of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. 2. To determine the ice thickness near grounding line using data available on airborne and ground based remote sensing measurements. 3. To estimate current grounded ice discharge and its changes over the last 50 years. 4. To create the database for modeling the response of Antarctic Ice Sheet under various climatic scenarios.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The main goal for the project is to estimate the current grounded ice discharge in the East Antarctica and its changes over the last 50 years (1957-2007) based on data management and analysis of information available on the ice thickness and velocity near grounding zone and changes of the coastal line of Antarctica.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Collaboration with IPY projects and national Antarctic programmes that plan analogous studies. We expect international cooperation in data search and management, field work, model development, and writing publications.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The geographical area for the project encompasses Dronning Maud Land, East Antarcica between 5? ? 15? E.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: December 2005 – February2006      December 2006 – February 2007      December 2007 – February 2008
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Project does not require any additional field logistical support other than what is provided through the Russian Antarctic Expedition.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The data obtained on the surface elevation and ice velocities for the coastal parts of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet can be used for optimizing the construction of stations and bases as well as travel routes, runways etc.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Expected Russian Academy of Sciences.Federal Programme “World Ocean”Russian Antarctic ExpeditionOrganizing Committee of the Russian Federation for the IPY 2007/2008Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research

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 project is a component of the research activities within the frames of Subprogram “Antarctica”, Federal Programme “World Ocean”

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be carry out within the frames of Subprogram “Antarctica”, Federal Programme “World Ocean”, Russian Antarctic Expedition and IPY Program of the Russian Academy of Sciences (the leading body is the Institute of Geography RAS).

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Results of the project will be presented through reports, papers and web site of the Federal Programme “World Ocean” The modern knowledge on the mass balance of Antarctic Ice Sheet can be used in education, outreach and communication. It is planned to involve students and younger scientists in field studies and processing of data collected.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
The data obtained after processing and analysing will be integrated into national and international databases under the concordance with countries or institutions that fulfil the analogous studies in Antarctica.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
It is proposed to fund the project through the Federal Programme “World Ocean”, Russian Antarctic Expedition and IPY Program of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Academician Vladimir Kotlyakov
119017 Moscow



Russia

Tel: (095) 959-00-32
Mobile:
Fax: (095) 959-00-33
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information