Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Biological fluxes and climate variability in the European Arctic Seas: local production vs. advective biomass  (ARCTOS-FLUXES)

Outline
A study of the shelf and shelf break along several sections will cross the Fram Strait, the St. Anna Trough and reach from north and Siberia into the European Arctic Ocean. It comprises on four major elements; physical oceanography (inflow vs. outflow of Atlantic and Arctic water), chemical oceanography (C sequestration, nutrient dynamics), marine biology (primary production, degradation, vertical export regulation) and biogeochemistry (cycling of bioelements). The common goal is to increase our understanding on how local production is related to advected fluxes in the European Arctic Seas and the ventilation of the deep basin. Variability of currents through the system, C flux (atmospheric uptake, primary production, respiration), zooplankton life cycle strategies, advection and residence times of larger zooplankton, vertical flux and its regulation, population genetic of key stone species and C flux modelling are the focus. Our hypotheses are that climate driven processes a) affect the advection of Atlantic water into the Deep Arctic Ocean, inclusive the distribution of species and population genetic exchange and b) will affect the advection of long-living mesozooplankton into the Eurasian Arctic and effect relationship between production, reproduction and vertical export. Further we hypothesise that the deep Eurasian Arctic Ocean is net-heterotrophic due to extensive advection of biomass from adjacent shelves. Furthermore the results of the investigation will be included in model simulations, both in order to improve representations of relevant processes and to create realistic scenarios of future environmental changes. Even if the main elements of this proposal is an intensive field study of the inadequately explored European Arctic Sea and its relation to the North Atlantic Ocean, the results are clearly relevant to the societal impacts that Arctic change has on the human living conditions.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
he planned investigation is expected to gather a wealth of information on a crucial part of the present environment where the exchange between the Polar and Atlantic Ocean. This exchange, which is 10 times greater then that through the Bering Strait is fundamental for the understanding of climate change and variability of the Arctic. Furthermore the exchange with the deep Arctic Ocean through the deep-water ventilation, links ARCTOS FLUXES to investigations of the global oceanic circulation system. The combination of different scientific disciplines, with focus on the transformation and flux of carbon, makes this study unique to understand climate change in the Arctic Ocean. Finally the anticipated outcome will increase the predictability of the environmental conditions and thus the possibility of society to adapt to changes.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
An international group of scientists, coordinated under the ARCTOS Network (http://www.nfh.uit.no/arctos/), will organize and carry out a series of field investigations, research integration activities, student courses and symposia under a series of initiatives with financial support from national and European Union projects. ARCTOS FLUXES is planned to be a part of the International Pan-Arctic Shelf Basin Interaction programme. It is expected to contribute to the Climate of the Arctic and its role for Europe (CARE) project, the International Study of Arctic Change (ISAC), A Nordic Land-Shelf-Basin Interaction along the Siberian Shelf Seas (Nordic-LSBI), Canadian Arctic Margin Expedition (CAME) and other similar bodies. Close collaboration with Russian colleagues is foreseen.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Across the continental margin into the deep central basins of the Fram Strait (Kongsfjord – Young Sound) and northern Barents Sea - Nansen and Amundsen Basins.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 2 weeks 06/07      3 weeks 08/07      3 weeks 08/08
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
This project relies on the support of the ice-strengthened vessel R/V Jan Mayen and an ice breaking research vessel, which is anticipated to get involved (through co-operation with Canada and/or Russia). The suggested project will use most of the available ship resources over 3 approximate 3-weeks periods. However, a limited amount of mooring work is foreseen, mainly in association with other projects. Use of information from satellites is also of significance.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The result of the project will help improve numeric climate and C flux models by adding to the process and biodiversity knowledge, as well as add to new generations of observation and monitoring. A significant expansion of education and post-educational training opportunities in polar ecosystem science will be carried out.

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

The Consortium has access to vital infrastructure for Polar Operations from several of the involved Institutions

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The Consortium has today national and international research projects lasting through the IPY periods. The Norwegian IPY committee does not endorse any project prior to the January 14 submission of EoIs.

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
The ARCTOS FLUX consortium has ongoing projects that will operate into the IPY period (see http://www.nfh.uit.no/arctos/). In addition new applications have and will be sent both to national and international funding bodies, e.g. CARE, CAME etc. It is a component of the existing International Shelf Basin Interaction program and International Arctic Polyna Programme (IAPP) of AOSB.

How will the project be organised and managed?
ARCTOS FLUX comprises 7 scientific sub-disciplines (variability of currents through the system, C flux, zooplankton life cycle strategies, advection and residence times of larger zooplankton, vertical flux and its regulation, population genetic of key stone species and C flux modelling), each having one or more leaders. These leaders will together coordinate the whole project in order to optimise the total outcome from the sub-projects. These leaders are all project members under 4.2.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
hrough a support from NorFA a graduate school on “Ecosystems, carbon flux and climate variability in the European sector of the pan-arctic region” has been initiated with the goal to educate young Ph.D. students within the scope of IPY. Trans-Nordic team building of the many Nordic Ph.D. students that will work inside ARCTOS FLUX will a major contribution from the graduate school. In addition, Ph.D. students from the ARCTOS scientific trainee school “Arctic ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles and climate change in the Anthropocene” will contribute to the educational aspects of ARCTOS FLUX. . Further dedicated courses will be offered through UNIS (University Centre in Svalbard, http://www.unis.no)

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
The data management will be handled within the operating data management system in associated Institutes, ICES and other bodies that the consortium has agreement with. A web site will be opened for this project, including a meta-data base, where the home of the preliminary data will be given. Processed and validated data sets will eventually be delivered to data centres which will be responsible for future archiving and distribution.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Basic funding to the involved institutions, national programmes and EU.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Ongoing projects and co-operation are described in: http://www.nfh.uit.no/arctos

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Paul Wassman
Norwegian College of Fishery Science
Tromsø University
No-9037 Tromsø
Norway

Tel: +47-776-44459
Mobile:
Fax: +47-776-46020
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information