Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

SEDARC: Arctic Gateways, high latitude thermohaline circulation, sediment transport pathways and ice sheet dynamics, Fram Strait (74ºN-85ºN)  (SEDARC)

Outline
Arctic seas contain geological records that are critical to our understanding of global climatic change; its linkages to thermohaline circulation, sediment transport pathways and ice sheet dynamics. Fram Strait forms the only deep oceanic gateway between the Arctic and the World Ocean. The Arctic region of the northern North Atlantic plays an important role in regulating world climate through the generation of North Atlantic Deep Water, and its precursors, which are a major driving force of global thermohaline circulation. Fram Strait is a key region for these processes and hence the ideal study area for the interaction and influences of climate change on sediment delivery, ice sheet growth and bottom-current variability. Variations in ice-ocean-climate interactions on the Polar North Atlantic margins have produced a distinctive record, including drift and wave complexes, fans and deep-ocean sediments which all preserve a complex palaeoceanographic record. This study initially aims to utilise seabed mapping tools such as multibeam bathymetry and sub-bottom profiling to understand the distribution of sediments in Fram Strait and hence characterise the depositional processes presently active in the gateway. Subsequent to the mapping phase of the work, coring and high-resolution seismic profiling of the margin at specific sites intend to reveal the chronology of bottom-current flow and its relationship to climatic variability and ice sheet dynamics during the last 150ky. This work is invaluable to other SAMS IPY proposals (e.g. SAMS NORTHERN SEAS - ARCTIC) and is also sympathetic to the wider aims of the IPY community, enhancing proposed projects such as POLARGATES: Polar Ocean Gateway Evolution (K. Gohl, AWI) and GLAMAR: Glacial Meltwater and the Sedimentary Record (D. Preag, University College, Dublin). The following are key research questions to be addressed by this project: a. What does the style of sedimentation in Fram Strait tell us about the frequency and rates of change in sediment transport paths and the depositional process presently active in the Arctic Ocean? b. How is the distribution of sediment linked to major tectonic, and climatic events such as the onset of deep-water flow, sea level change and ice sheet development? c. What has been the influence of climatic change on deep-water formation and sediment distribution in Fram Strait during the late Quaternary (<150ky).

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
A study into the sediment transport pathways in Fram Strait utilising seabed mapping and coring. -Invaluable baseline study with linkages to other investigations (e.g. pollutant transport and palaeo-climatic variability). -Reconstruction of deep-water flow from sediment palaeohistories within the marine environment.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
International collaboration with Norwegian Polar Institute, University of Tromso, University of Svalbard, the International Marine Laboratory Kings Bay consortium.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The Fram Strait (including Molloy Deep and surrounding region), western Svalbard shelf, East Greenland margin, and Yermak Plateau. The investigation will aim to utilise the new Arctic Marine Laboratory.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: March-August 2007-2011            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Several research platforms such as (1) the James Clark Ross (requested for 1 month in 2007, 2009); sharing of Norwegian vessels; icebreaker class vessel for Arctic Basin work if available; (2) Marine Laboratories at Svalbard; (3) Arctic moorings and sea bed observatories (multi-instrumented for biological and physical parameters; (5) AUV and ROV (Autosub and Isis, if available).

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

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

SAMS has access to infrastructure for Polar Operations from several collaborating institutions.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The SAMS Northern Seas Core Programme has been approved and funded by NERC UK and reviewed and endorsed by the 2004 Science and Management Audit of SAMS. Northern Seas 2 will be reviewed in 2006.

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?
Exp
The SAMS Northern Seas 2 programme is a coordinated approach to multidisciplinary marine studies in the European Arctic. Details may be found on www.sams.ac.uk. This core strategic programme provides a vehicle for additional specific projects (see separate submissions from SAMS) and the logistic and operational support for collaborators from the UK and Norway. NSP 2 is a continuation of Arctic work initiated under NSP 1 2001-6.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The programme is coordinated and operated by SAMS, based at the Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory. Logistic coordination is carried out with the British Antarctic Survey, Norwegian Polar Institute and Kings Bay Company. Individual components of the programme are managed by Operational Group Leaders and Principal Investigators in SAMS coordinated by the Director, Professor Graham Shimmield. Shimmield is also Chair of Research strategy for the University of the Highlands and Islands, a member of the Arctic Universities consortium.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
SAMS undergraduates and postgraduates are enrolled with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI Millennium Institute), part of the Arctic Universities Network. Consortium linkage is being established with the ARCTOS student network and ongoing ARCTOS PhD trainee school in Arctic marine Ecosystems (http://www.nfh.uit.no/arctos/). PhD students from SAMS have enrolled on dedicated courses offered through UNIS (University Centre in Svalbard, http://www.unis.no), and discussion is underway regarding a teaching contribution from SAMS academic staff. SAMS has a full time Education and Outreach officer for dissemination of research of public interest to its membership (over 550), and internationally. SAMS employs a full time Knowledge Transfer Officer linked to the outreach and education activities to ensure take-up of research outcomes in the private and commercial sectors.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Data management is coordinated by the full-time SAMS Data Manager according to SAMS protocols. This methodology links closely to the British Oceanographic Data Centre where archival of SAMS data takes place. SAMS provides web-based information and resource capability for all its collaborative projects (www.sams.ac.uk).

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The SAMS Northern Seas Programme is funded by a 5-year core strategic grant from the UK Natural Environment Research Council. Additional funding is obtained from competitive grant capture from NERC, and the EU Framework programmes. SAMS is a consortium partner in projects funded by the Norwegian Research Council.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Ongoing projects in the Arctic are described at www.sams.ac.uk/reserch, and in the annual reports and newsletters of SAMS.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr John Howe
Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS)
Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory
Dunbeg, Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA
UK

Tel: +44 (0)1631 559257
Mobile:
Fax: +44 (0) 1631 559001
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information