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International Polar Year
IPY 2007-2008
 
 
Updated on 05/01/2009
 
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Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

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PROPOSAL INFORMATION

(ID No: 883)

Controls on glacier thinning at the periphery of the Greenland ice sheet  (Greenland ice margin environments (GRIME))

Outline
Runoff from the margins of the Greenland ice sheet contributes to global sea level rise and affects the freshwater budget of the North Atlantic which, models suggest, is critical for predicting the strength of North Atlantic thermohaline circulation and hence future climate (Fichefet et al., 2003). The southern margin of the Greenland ice sheet is particularly sensitive to climate change, because mean annual temperatures are close to 0ºC and in summer surface water can reach the glacier bed (Zwally et al., 2002), which provides a potential ice dynamic feedback to the meltwater input to the ocean. In this respect the environment is similar to many glaciers and ice caps within the Arctic region. Outlet glaciers in south-east Greenland were observed to thin dramatically during the 1990s (Krabill et al., 1999; Abdalati et al., 2001), with thinning rates thought too high for simple changes in ablation or accumulation to be the cause (Thomas et al., 2000; Rignot et al., 2004). This IPY activity aims to quantify the extent to which the observed thinning and thickening in south-east Greenland outlet glaciers can be attributed to variations in surface mass balance as opposed to changes in ice dynamics. Predicted elevation changes due to surface mass balance will be derived from models using meteorological, ice core, and ERA40 reanalysis data. Comparison with measured changes from 1980s - present will allow the assessment of the contribution of ice dynamics to the observed thinning. Velocity fields for key outlet glaciers will be derived using a variety of satellite data (Luckman et al., 2003), and will allow identification of the spatial and temporal relationships between changes in ice dynamics and surface elevations. Field campaigns timed during IPY will provide ground-truth for the velocities derived using remote-sensing data. The field campaign will combine GPS measurements of velocity with the deployment of passive seismic arrays to identify the controls on ice flow. The results ANNEX I, p.5 will allow better prediction of the contribution of the south-east Greenland region to present and future sea level rise and the freshwater budget of the North Atlantic, as well as providing better constraint of ice dynamic processes for use in coupled climate general circulation and ice sheet models (Hanna and Cappelen, 2003). We would be keen to link with other groups working on similar themes around the margin of the Greenland ice sheet and elsewhere within the Polar Regions.

Theme(s)   Major Target
The current state of the polar environment
Polar-global linkages and teleconnections
  Natural or social sciences research

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project will identify the processes causing thinning of the Greenland ice sheet margin and therefore controlling the mass balance of this region of the ice sheet, a key component of IPY theme 1. This project also addresses a core question of theme 3: “What is the stability of the Earth’s major ice masses and what will be their impact on global mean sea level?”, and will provide remote sensing observations validated by in situ observations of the cryosphere, which is identified as necessary to “establish the status of the polar environment”.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The activity involves 12 collaborators from 5 countries. We are keen to link with other groups working on similar themes around the periphery of the Greenland ice sheet and indeed on similar projects in other areas of both Polar Regions.


FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
South-east Greenland outlet glaciers: There are many glaciers of interest in this region because of their recent thinning behaviour (e.g. Kangerdlugssuaq). For logistical reasons, Helheim Glacier (66.36N, 38.16W) may be the most appropriate target, but all significant outlets will be considered at the time of seeking funds.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 04/2007-05/2007      02/2008-05/2008      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Fixed-wing airplane or helicopter support will be required to access the field site and snowscooters will also be used. Satellite data have been awarded to this project through the ESA CryoSat Data Announcement of Opportunity. We will apply for use of NERC GEF geophysical instruments to support this project.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project will install a network of weather stations on the chosen glacier(s), which will provide detailed information on the meteorology as well as an updated estimate of the ice-surface lapse rate, which will improve estimates of surface melt.

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

We will liaise re: logistics with the Danish Polar Centre

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
That is the purpose of this outline bid to the UK and International IPY committee.


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 activity builds on research already being undertaken by the proposers and is viewed as an independent project within a number of longer term research programmes they are involved with.

How will the project be organised and managed?
We propose to submit the project for funding to the UK NERC in July 2005; the proposed start date for the project will be July 2006, with two field seasons in springs 2007 and 2008 and an overall duration of three years. The project will therefore be undertaken during the IPY timeframe. Murray is responsible for project management and communication between project members. Tri-annual meetings are planned rotating between the major institutions involved.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
(1) Project www site, which has proved an effective means of communicating with a general and dispersed audience during other projects (e.g., http://www.geog.leeds.ac.uk/projects/rabid). (2) Talks to school and amateur science ANNEX I, p.5 groups. (3) Use of partner organisation press offices to ensure maximum impact with local and national media

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Data produced by this project will be archived at each institution involved in the research and will be offered to the NSIDC at Boulder, Colorado. Metadata will be stored at The Arctic Environmental Metadata Centre http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/resources/aemc/. Responsibility for this part of the activity will lie with the Lead Contact, Murray.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Via proposals to national funding bodies, e.g., NERC within the UK. ERS-SAR, ENVISAT ASAR, ALOS PALSAR and Terra ASTER satellite data have been awarded to this project through various ESA programmes.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
References: Abdalati W et al. JGR, 106(24), 33,729 –33,741, 2001. Fichefet T et al. GRL, 30, doi:10.1029/2003GL017826, 2003. Hanna E et al. GRL, 30, doi:10.1029/2002GL015797, 2003. Krabill W et al. Science, 283(5407): 1522-1524, 1999. Luckman A et al. Annals of Glaciology, 36, 129-134, 2003. Rignot E et al. GRL, 31, doi:10.1029/2004GL019474, 2004. Thomas RH, et al. GRL, 27(9): 1291-1294, 2000. Zwally HJ et al., Science, 297, 218-222, 2002. We will foster the next generation of polar researchers by: (1) Inclusion of undergraduate student and postgraduate student research. (2) Each partner will work with schools in education and outreach activities.


PROPOSER DETAILS

Professor Tavi Murray
University of Wales, Swansea
Department of Geography
Singleton Park, Swansea
SA2 8PP
UK

Tel: 0113 343 6753
Mobile: 0789 171082
Fax: 0113 343 3308
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Name   Affiliation
Dr Adrian Luckman   University of Swansea
Dr Matt King   University of Newcastle
Dr Edward Hanna   University of Sheffield
Dr Graham Stuart   University of Leeds
Dr Graham Stuart   University of Leeds
Dr Tonie van Dam   Luxembourg

Other Information

Dr Carl Boggild, GEUS; also Dr John Cappelen Danish Meteorological Institute Dr Philippe Huybrechts Brussells Dr Joe McConnell Desert Research Institute, Reno, Nevada Dr Koni Steffen CIRES, Colarado Dr Waleed Abdalati NASA Headquarters, Washington DC.



 
   
   
 
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