Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Integral Remote System in Antantic water  (SIRENA)

Outline
The general aim of the coordinated project is the integral study of the oceanic dynamic in the Antarctic area around the Spanish bases using parameters detected by satellite. This study will allow us to know exactly changes in thaw patterns during the last years, currents, phytoplankton concentration and average sea surface temperature in this region of the planet. This general aim is expected to be achieved through four thematic subprojects: Upper ocean thermal study (thermal radiometers), phytoplankton study (optical radiometers), geostrophic currents study (altimeters) and ice layers study (synthetic aperture radar and thermal and optic radiometers). A fifth subproject will develop a tool that allows all the partial results and images to be integrated into a web page that provides access to the data to the scientific community. The four subprojects(Ice, Currents, Temperature and Phytoplankton) are complemented with proposals of samplings and measurements along transects on the BO Hespérides way towards the Spanish Antarctic Base.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The general aim is to study the relationship between thawing processes and surface temperature patterns, between geostrophic circulation and phytoplankton production in the area and determine whether these patterns have varied over the past decades. To this end, a tool will be developed to integrate data from the various project subdivisions that will help us to look into the interactions between the subdivisions themselves.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
We are in contact with diferent full propostal leader to collaborate in take of samplings and measurements along transects on the BO Hespérides way towards the Spanish Antarctic Base the next two years.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Isla livingston

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 10/2006 – 01/2007      10/2007 – 01/2008      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Satellites Argos Buoys Helicopter Ship recovery of buoys etc these resources could be usefully shared with other projects.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The Argos Buoys could use in open format to study and monitor currents in the area.

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

BIO Hesperides vessel. Spansh Polar Bases Own Technical Instruments

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project will be evaluated by national Polar agency

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

How will the project be organised and managed?
There are five Research Centres in Spain into the project : University of Vigo (Coordinator-Ice) University of La Laguna (SST) University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Geostrophic currents) Oceanographic Spanish Institute (IEO) (Phytoplanckton) University of Santiago (Web GIS)

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Development of an online tool that permits the introduction and study of the results from the abovementioned objectives in addition to enabling coordination between the various subdivisions. The project will develop a tool that allows all the partial results and images to be integrated into a web page that provides access to the data to the scientific community.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project is expected to be funded by the national agency (Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia.) in Polar call.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Jesus M. Torres
University of Vigo
Dep. Física Aplicada. Fac. De Ciencias del Mar
Lagoas-Marcosende VIGO
36310
Spain

Tel: +34986812631
Mobile: +34670917507
Fax: +34986812556
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation