Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Air-Sea –Ice interaction and water mass transformations in Whalers'Bay  (WASIT)

Outline
The exchanges of water masses, heat and freshwater through Fram Strait are of great importance for the circulation in the Arctic Ocean and for the hydrographic conditions in the Nordic Seas. The recirculation of the West Spitsbergen Current in Fram Strait makes it difficult to correctly separate the recirculation from the northward (in) and southward (out) transports between the Arctic Ocean and the Nordic Seas. Previous sections north of Fram Strait suggest that the recirculation is limited to south of 81oN and that the water encountered east and north of the Yermak Plateau really is entering the Arctic Ocean, while west of the Yermak Plateau, between the plateau and Greenland, the contributions from the different basins and circulation loops in the Arctic Ocean are still distinguishable. We propose an expedition with RV Aranda to the waters north of Svalbard (funding not yet confirmed). Because of the limitation of the vessel the expedition will be confined to the marginal ice zone. Sections will be taken from Nordaustlandet across the Sofia Deep and the Yermak Plateau as far into the ice as possible. The expedition is planned for summer 2008 and will be multidisciplinary, involving the participation of scientists from other countries. The physical oceanography work will mainly consist of CTD observations and water sampling and concentrate on studying the two streams of Atlantic water entering the Arctic Ocean through Fram Strait and the formation, through ice melt by heat input from below, of the source waters for the lower halocline. It will be a continuation of work done in the area in 2007 from Oden and from Maria S Merian and instruments, deployed from Maria S Merian will be recovered from Aranda. The sea ice, its physics and its drift, will be studied by a cluster of drifters. It will also be devoted in obtaining ground truth validation of remote sensing algorithms. Marine sources and sinks for CO2 will be studied during the period of highest biological activity using unique instrumentation available on Aranda as well as an Air-Sea Interaction spar bouy. The biological programmes will concentrate on production dynamics and production limitations and will span over phytoplankton, ice biota and zooplankton, separately and in context with each other and with the studies of the physical environment.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Improved knowledge of the paths and transformations of the Atlantic water north of Svalbard and around the Yermak Plateau and of the early stages of formation of halocline waters. Quantified CO uptake in Arctic marine environment. Quantified production limitations in cold, ice infested water. Improved remote sensing algoritms.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Collaboration with IPY proposal such as SOFIADEEP, SPACE, DAMOCLES, ECOGREEN. Within the experiment co-operation with research groups in Germany, USA, Norway and Sweden is planned.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Fram Strait, Yermak Plateau, Eurasian Basin of the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic:       08/2008      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Ice strengthened vessel – RV Aranda

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The experiment has not yet been endorsed by the National agency but it is well integrated in the previous and ongoing work by FIMR in the Arctic Ocean under he umbrellas of VEINS, ASOF and DAMOCLES.

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?
No

Expansion of existing activity This experiment belongs to the FIMR studies initiated and continued under the umbrellas of VEINS, ASOF and DAMOCLES. The experiment will be a special project with funding from FIMR and other national agencies. Non-Finnish partners seek funding from their respective national agencies

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organised as a special project at FIMR.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Education and outreach issues will be addressed within ongoing programmes at FIMR and at the University of Helsinki.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management will be along the guidelines of national and international data centres.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding is proposed to come through national agencies.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Bert Rudels
Finnish Institute of Marine Research
Erik Palménin aukio 2
P.O. Box 2 ,
FI-00561 Helsinki
Finland

Tel: +358 9 61394428
Mobile: no
Fax: +358 9 3231025
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation