Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Mass of the South Polar Ice Cap Experiment (M-SPICE)  (M-SPICE)

Outline
The M-SPICE project seeks to understand the mass balance of the Antarctic ice sheet, and the formation process of ice in the Antarctic atmosphere. We propose to measure the accumulation and properties of the atmosphere and snow surface from the South Pole and combine these data with satellite remote sensing to try to understand the mass budget of water above and deposited on the ice sheet. Major questions include: What are the relative roles of ‘warm’ storms and diamond dust in the deposition of ice to the Antarctic ice sheet? How does ice form in the Antarctic atmosphere? How is this ice formation process applicable to ice formation in the global atmosphere, over other ice sheets or in the upper troposphere? To answer these questions we will conduct a field project at South Pole Station, Antarctica during the IPY. We will conduct 2 summer campaigns of approximately 1 month duration with a concerted series of measurements, as well as a reduced set of measurements over the winter for a full annual cycle. We propose to build upon the standard meteorological set of parameters (wind, temperature, humidity) with detailed measurements of water vapor, ice particles (presence, size and habit), atmospheric aerosol (number, size and composition), and water isotopes in forming ice and snow. These measurements will be ground based, with some possibly on tethered or untethered balloon platforms. We will combine these data with measurements of temperature and humidity from satellites. Ground based measurements will help us understand the details of ice formation, including meteorological conditions, nucleation processes, growth and mass. Remote sensing measurements will help constrain the overall vapor flux onto the continent and provide continuous coverage of meteorological conditions throughout the IPY. The project will attempt to coordinate with other activities during the IPY, both locally at South Pole Station, and globally with daily global profiles of temperature and humidity in both polar regions.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Development of new and unique analytic tools for examining mass balance of the Antarctic Ice Sheet through probing of the atmospheric processes that form precipitation ultimately leading to formation of ice.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Scientists in the US, Germany, UK, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan will be involved in measurements, models, and interpretation of data.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
All measurements during IPY will be conducted at the South Pole, and remote sensing data from the entire Antarctic and surrounding regions will be used.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 10/07 – 01/08      10/08 – 10/09      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Support of launch of small balloons, as currently carried out by NOAA/CMDL. Quick access to CMDL air sampling from South Pole. Will need to sample from a tower at the South Pole. May wish to conduct measurements from a scientific aircraft (e.g. C-130) if available. Can be shared with other projects (and preferred).

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Instruments that run autonomously in the extreme conditions of the Antarctic plateau will be developed. These instruments will be available for future studies and monitoring.

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

This project will derive support mainly from the US polar program, who necessarily support South Pole operations. Additional coordination will be provided by partnering institutions in other countries (e.g. BAS, AWI)

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No - This is a new project that was recently conceived by the proposers after noting a lack of such proposals in the current IPY clusters

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

This is a new autonomous proposal, but one that could dovetail well with some established programmes.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Overall management will be coordinated by the PI and co-I’s as a group. This group will evolve and be subject to funding availability.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We expect to involve several graduate students and young scientists who have not traditionally worked in polar regions in this proposal. We also expect to have some funding for outreach activities to publicize the importance of the project.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data will be made available after a suitable time period (6-12 months) for initial quality control and verification. Data will likely be archived at the National Center for Atmospheric Research Data Portal.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
US investigators will propose to US national Agencies (NSF, NASA) and polar operator (NSF) for funding. Co-sponsorship from NOAA and NSF in the form of investigators time is also expected.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This proposal has links with several other EOI’s proposed for the Antarctic. We expect some synergy with EOI ID919 (Airborne measurements), but this will be complementary, as that proposal is slated for studying Polar Stratospheric Clouds, and we will most likely be investigating ice clouds. We do expect some overlap and synergies, and are beginning discussions with this group.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Professor Darin Toohey
University of Colorado, Boulder
Stadium 255
PAOS/311 UCB,Boulder, CO
80309-0311
USA

Tel: 303-735-0002
Mobile: no
Fax: 303-492-3524
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation