Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Frontal zones in the Barents Sea and adjacent waters  (FROZOBASE)

Outline
The intermediate position of the Barents Sea and adjacent waters between the Arctic and boreal oceanic systems causes formation of lengthy frontal zones. The most prominent is the Polar frontal zone. Despite a large body of data collected in the areas of frontal zones, this phenomenon is presently poorly understood. Physical and dynamic processes in the frontal zones are known to support higher biological productivity and concentrations of food organisms and many commercial fishes, however reasons behind that are still unclear. Causes of a relative increase of contamination in the frontal zones remain uncertain as well. The problem of interannual variations in the frontal zone characteristics (position, gradient values) under the effect of climatic changes has not been adequately studied. Therefore, the study of variability in the frontal zone characteristics will help to understand the effect of physical and chemical processes on biological and fish productivity in the sea. It is closely related to prediction of commercial stocks playing an important role in the economical and social life of Norway, Russia and other countries. Besides, the study of processes in the frontal zones is closely connected with the fundamental problem of the Barents Sea ecosystem functioning. The Barents Sea is one of the areas in the World Ocean the most provided with oceanographic data. Variations in characteristics of the frontal zones under the effect of seasonal changes and climate fluctuations within the project will be studied on the basis of historical data acquired in hundreds of research cruises. Over a long period ice coverage and optical properties of seawater were monitored using airborne and satellite observations. Summarizing of the data will permit to estimate fairly accurately characteristics of the frontal zones and their variability in years of different thermal conditions. During 2007-2008 it is expected to conduct investigations of physical, chemical and optical properties, distribution of plankton, fish, marine mammals and birds in the areas of frontal zones. With this purpose, sea and airborne surveys will be carried out and data from satellite monitoring will be analysed. By doing this it is intended to gain information on frontal zones structure and variability of physical, chemical and biological parameters on different temporal scales. Combined analysis of the data obtained will allow understanding reasons behind the increase in productivity in the frontal zones due to interaction of water masses of different origin.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
In the result of the project estimates of physical characteristics of the Barents Sea frontal zones, their seasonal and interannual variability as well as estimates of chemical and production processes will be obtained. It can also contribute to development of the fundamental notion of the role of frontal zones in the functioning of the Barents Sea ecosystem. It is expected that these knowledge will promote implementation of ecosystem approach to the study of marine biological resources and fisheries management in the Barents Sea.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project is initiated by PINRO (Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography) that has a lot of information and some experience in research of the Barents Sea frontal zones. The most of investigations in the Barents Sea over many years have been carried out in close cooperation with the Institute of Marine Research (IMR, Bergen, Norway). Thus, the project will be implemented in international cooperation. We will seek to make this project a constituent of other projects targeted marine ecosystems of Sub-Arctic Seas (such as ESSAS – Ecosystem Studies of Sub-Arctic Seas). Besides, we will search for partners among both Russian and foreign research institutions (such as Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, Russian State Hydrometeorological University, and IMR). It is also possible to use PINRO’s The project is initiated by PINRO (Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography) that has a lot of information and some experience in research of the Barents Sea frontal zones. The most of investigations in the Barents Sea over many years have been carried out in close cooperation with the Institute of Marine Research (IMR, Bergen, Norway). Thus, the project will be implemented in international cooperation. We will seek to make this project a constituent of other projects targeted marine ecosystems of Sub-Arctic Seas (such as ESSAS – Ecosystem Studies of Sub-Arctic Seas). Besides, we will search for partners among both Russian and foreign research institutions (such as Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, Russian State Hydrometeorological University, and IMR). It is also possible to use PINRO’s research vessels and a research aircraft by other participants of the IPY investigating the Barents Sea.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The Barents Sea and adjacent waters (68-80°N, 5-65°E). Particular attention will be given to zones of maximal spatial gradients of environmental parameters, zones with higher biological productivity and concentrations of marine organisms.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: January 2007 – December 2008            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Field investigations will be carried out by PINRO’s research vessels and the research aircraft AN-26 “Arktika”. The historical database will be used as well. The research vessels and the aircraft can be used for investigations within other projects if they are in agreement with those conducted by PINRO.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

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

Field investigations will be carried out by PINRO’s research vessels and the research aircraft AN-26 “Arktika”. The historical database will be used as well. The research vessels and the aircraft can be used for investigations within other projects if they are in agreement with those conducted by PINRO.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?

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?
Expansion
The project is a component of the research on marine biological resources and environment in the Barents Sea area that have been carried out jointly by PINRO and IMR for many decades. The research on the project will contribute to implementation of the other arctic project “Changes in the Barents Sea from the Second to the Third IPY” (the title is provisional) suggested by PINRO and VNII “Okeangeologiya” (Russia), Polar Centre and University of Tromsø (Norway). In addition, research within this project may be a component of the international programme ESSAS (2005-2015).

How will the project be organised and managed?
Works within the project will be planned, organized and managed at the national level with on-line coordination with IMR when carrying out joint planned research.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Results from the project will be presented in reports and publications. They may be used in educational institutions where students are specialized in oceanography and ecology. Students from universities collaborating with PINRO (Russian State Hydrometeorological University, St.Petersburg State University, Murmansk State Technical University) will be involved in processing of data collected during field investigations. Some students may participate in field investigations.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Data collected during field investigations after their processing and publication of the main results (not later than in 1 year) will be available for international databases with the consent of organizations financing the project and countries (organizations) participating in the project.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project is financed by the Federal Agency on Fisheries of the Russian Federation as a part of regular research on marine biological resources and environment in the Barents Sea. It is expected that more profound and specialized investigations will be funded from the Russian National Committee for IPY and other sources.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Oleg Titov
Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography (PINRO)
6 Knipovich Street
Murmansk
183763
Russia

Tel: +7 (8152) 47 36 66
Mobile: +7 921 270 11 37
Fax: +7 (8152) 47 33 31
Email:

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Other Information