Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Land Based Anthropogenic Impact of Course Particles on Antarctic Shelf  (Aerosol Impact on Antarctica)

Outline
Antarctica which is known for superlative degrees is far away from the entire continent. This icy continent also plays a significant role in governing the southern hemisphere climate system.Various anthropogenic activities on the continent emits aerosol which are airborne and travel very long distance with the air until they find suitable sink, subjected to environmental conditions otherwise remain suspended into troposphere and stratosphere . Large amount of various aerosol particles and their precursor originate from continental sources and significant fraction of these emission are travel over oceans and ultimately reaches to Antarctica. Transportation of pollen and spores is already varied by many studies in Antarctica. The primary emitted particles and gases when transported by the air come into contact and react via heterogeneous pathways with other aerosols from other sources and marine evaporation and ultimately turn into secondary aerosol which may ha! ve detrimental impact on the sink area. This reaction under meteorological conditions strongly affect the particles size, composition and concentration, which is observed over the oceans by various studies. The transport of the nutrient and toxic compounds originated from the continent and marine aerosol plays significant role in climate impact which may have the potential to alter the local biologically active system. India has established second permanent research station at Dronning Maud land, Schirmacher Oasis in East Antarctica at 700 45.94 S and 11044.13’ E. This is around 80 km from the coast and area is exposed. India has also in the process of selection of third permanent station at unnamed promontory in the Larsemann Hills situated between Quilty Bay and Thala Fjord, bounded by latitudes 69°24'-69°25'S and longitudes 76°01' -76°14'E. The study is proposed to collect the samples on the ship coarse starting from Capetown, South Africa to the India bay at Antarctica, near Maitri station and further on the route to third station upto Davis station at 800 S. Elemental composition and particle size distribution and concentration shall be carried out along with the identification of coarse aerosol. Local and cumulative environmental with special reference to accumulation of the particle and its impact on the flora of the area shall be studied. To verify the trajectory of the particles ! a Meso Scale air quality prediction model shall be utilized. The outcome of the project will help to understand the fate of continental aerosol over East Antarctica and its dynamics of reactions which shall help to control the and defining the mechanism to save the pristine environment of Antarctica.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This proposal is produce to understand the continental aerosol its tele-transportation and finally the impact on the polar region. Antarctica is a datum to study and compare the environmental pollution. But the pollution and emission from the continent is travelling to Antarctica which may have significant impact on the Antarctic Environment and ultimately the climate governing system of Antarctica. Secondary pollutants are supposed to produce more detrimental impact when come in contact with sink. Environmental Protection to the Antarctica Treaty deals with the human interference created inside the Antarctica but not from the pollution which is coming from outside of Antarctica which has no barrier. This proposed project will have cutting edge to control and manage the invasive pollutant.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Project study area is from 10o E to 80o E along the coast of Antarctica. Along this route international collaboration is required from NOVO (Russia), Syowa (Japan), Mawsan ( Austalia), Zhongshan (China), and Davis (Australia). Few experiment and biological sample collection and study needs to done at and around these stations in Antarctica. For a part of sample analysis and identification, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, shall work in collaboration.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Proposed area of study is : Novo station at Schirmacher Oasis, Dronning Maud Land, 70°46'26"S, 11°51'54"E. Near Maitri station, Schirmacher Oasis which is a rocky hill range, about 17 km long in E-W trend (bounded by Eastern longitudes 11° 22' 40" and 11° 54' 20"), Syawa station at East Ongul Island, East Antarctica 69°00'22"S, 39°35'24"E, Mawson station at MacRobertson Land, East Antarctica 67°36'17"S, 62°52'15"E, Zhongshan station at 69°22'16"S, 76°22'11"E East Antarctica, Davis station at Ingrid Christensen Coast, Princess Elizabeth Land 68°34'38"S, 77°58'21"E. Near by all the station few sampling location and study area shall be defined.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 11/2006 - 04/2007      11/2007 - 04/2008      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The facility require for this project is : Ice class ship, and helicopter.All these facility shall be made available by NCAOR, Indian Antarctic Scientific Expedition Programme.The facilities at the Indian permanent Antarctic base will also be sourced for the sampling . All these resources can be fully shared with other projects.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The observations and results of the project shall be able to educate not only the participants, tourists but the emitters who are far away from the icy continent and not directly connected to the Antarctica. A system may be built either to control, regulate or stop production of these aerosols.

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

Own national polar operator

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
It shall be put forward to national IPY Committee constituted by the Government of India to accept and endorsed the Project in principle and the IASE selection 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?
New

New autonomous proposal - Till date during Indian Antarctic Scientific Expedition and other country did not initiated study in the proposed study area.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The basic infrastructure needed for this project is Iceclass ship, and helicopter. Every year National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Department of Ocean Development, Govt. of India, launch Indian Antarctic Scientific Expedition in the month of December hiring a Iceclass ship and helicopter. Ship starts its voyage from Capetown South Africa to India bay at Antarctica and since two years research activities are also started at third permanent station. To study and collection of the samples these all the transportation means can be availed. Before reaching to other station a prior intimation with time schedule shall be given to each station and permission shall be obtained to enter into any ASPA. Instruments which are needed for this project is HVS, collection module and SEM-EDS, which the parent organization is equipped and can be availed. For particle size its composition the samples shall be studied in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Te! chnology, USA.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
As a part of the Indian IPY activities, NCAOR has already initiated action for identifying the national and international partners for this Project and for involving students from the University in the varied activities of the Project

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The input data shall be required from the Meteorological department of South Africa, Australia and WMO. All the data generated during the project shall make available to the ICSU World Data Centres, Joint Committee for Antarctic Data Management.NCAOR has already initiated action for the creation of a National Antarctic Database which will have an uplinking with international database on polar science of other Treaty Nations

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project fund shall be obtained from Department of Ocean development, Govt. of India and if found necessary other funding agencied\s may also be asked for the same

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Mr Anoop Tiwari
National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research
Head Land Sada
Vasco da Gama, Goa
403804
India

Tel: +91 832 2520863
Mobile: +91 9326119413
Fax: +91 832 25 20 877
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation