Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Sea Ice Mounted Oceanographic Profiler  (SIMOP)

Outline
The Arctic environment has changed significantly in recent years. The summer ice thickness over much of the Arctic Basin has reduced by possibly 40% since the 1970s and the Arctic sea ice extent is decreasing by 3% per decade. This decrease has been accompanied by a warming of the Atlantic layer in the Arctic Ocean, and the cold halocline layer which isolates the surface from the warm Atlantic water has grown thinner, disappearing entirely from the Amundsen Basin at one point. However these findings have been obtained from limited data sets and it is imperative that continuous long-term observations are established if we are to detect and monitor changes in Arctic Ocean hydrography. Studies have already established the great potential for continuous oceanographic sampling, for example the ARGO programme is transforming our observational database of the world’s oceans. Whilst it is possible to continuously sample the majority of the world oceans remotely with autonomous instruments such as moored profiling CTDs and floats, the same is not possible in the Arctic. The extreme environmental conditions, almost continuous covering of sea ice and substantial logistical expense hampers the continuous use of autonomous oceanographic systems. As a result, the Arctic Ocean remains very poorly sampled, both spatially and temporally, in comparison to all other oceans. Whilst the EOI is not a conventional research programme as such, it will enable the development of the first generation of affordable continuous observing platforms for polar oceanography and make them available to the IPY community. Its fundamental objective is to develop a long term observational platform, mounted on sea ice, from which daily full depth CTD measurements can be performed. By doing so it fulfils an urgent requirement for long-term monitoring of the complex hydrography within the Arctic Ocean (IPCC 1998, 2001, SEARCH, 2003), as well providing data for predicting climate change and variability. Moreover, SIMOP’s flexible design and real time data transmission will facilitate partnerships between polar research groups in other disciplines and therefore encourage multidisciplinary international collaboration. For example the GPS payload will provide insights into sea ice dynamics (of interest to IAPB, IPAB and WCRP), whereas additional sensors such as a meteorological package will contribute valuable data to the World Weather Watch programme of WMO.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The development of a full depth profiler fulfils the urgent requirement to provide long term monitoring of the complex hydrography within the Arctic and Southern Ocean (IPCC 1998, 2001). The availability of such flexible and powerful instrumentation is vital for determination of the current state of the polar oceans and for monitoring change. The real time data transmission linked to a multidisciplinary sensor package will also provide insights into new frontiers. In this way the proposal will deliver a world-class programme which aligns itself completely with the IPY themes and targets 1,2,3,4,6 (see section 1.4).

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Information on Arctic and Antarctic oceanography will be of interest to international programmes e.g. SEARCH and DAMOCLES etc. Sea ice dynamics will be of interest to IAPB, IAPB and WCRP. Additional sensors i.e. meteorological sensors, will contribute to WWW programme of WMO.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
SIMOP can be used in all ice covered seas i.e. Arctic and Southern Ocean

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 2007-2009            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
As with all field work in the polar regions logistics support is needed. SIMOP installation can be from both airborne (helicopter and/or Twin Otter) or ship-borne (ice strengthened) logistics. Logistics are shareable.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Such a system is currently unavailable and this proposal will create a new infrastructure for the polar academic research community. The SIMOP systems deployed will have a multi-year lifetime beyond the IPY. Interested parties will be invited to add instrumentation to SIMOP.

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

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?
Yes
The proposal is autonomous, but could be coupled to national and international programmes concentrating on the Arctic and Southern Ocean. The development of a reliable, long-term oceanographic profiler, as proposed by this programme, will enable the processes that underlie oceanographic changes in the Arctic and Antarctic to be established.

How will the project be organised and managed?
A project steering committee will be formed, with one representative from each of the partner organisations. The chairman of the steering committee will be the project co-ordinator. The steering committee will decide on matters relating to project management, including technical, financial, budgetary control and task scheduling matters. The committee will meet every six months, but will keep in contact frequently by e-mail and telephone. Members of the IPY committee will be encouraged to attend meetings.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
This project will play a significant role in training and enhancing the present and the future generation of scientists and technicians. In addition a website will be established to introduce academics, engineers and the general public to the exciting field of autonomous profilers. An essential part of the dissemination process will be the reporting of results at major journals, conferences as well as publication of articles in popular press, and media interviews.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
A continuously updated web site for this project will include background, results, as well as relevant satellite imagery and short digital films of the field programmes. Data will be stored at the usual World Data Centres.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project will be funded through the usual channels via national funding agencies

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
SIMOP was conceived in response to requests by the IPCC and the SEARCH programme to establish continuous long-term observations of the hydrography of the Arctic Ocean. SIMOP not only has the potential to revolutionise Arctic/Antarctic oceanography, but as it can accommodate different mission architectures and various scientific payloads, it is ideal for other scientific disciplines to incorporate their instrumentation onto a SIMOP platform. The concept and design of SIMOP is supported by years of extensive research, development and testing performed by SAMS in the field of autonomous polar instrument development through national, military and EU funded programmes.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Leader, Technology Development David Meldrum
Scottish Association for Marine Science
Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory
Oban
PA37 1QA
UK

Tel: 44 (0)1631 559 273
Mobile:
Fax: 44 (0)1631 559 001
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information