Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Consequences of climate change for Arctic marine pelagic microbial communities.  (CAMP (Climate change and Arctic Marine Pelagic microbial communities))

Outline
The Arctic climate is changing at an unsurpassed rate. Recent data show dramatic increases in mean seasonal temperatures leading to an ongoing reduction in Arctic sea ice cover. The increase in sea surface temperature is expected to enhance thermal stratification of the water column. Stratospheric ozone depletion in the Arctic is anticipated to intensify for the decennia to come, resulting in enhanced ultraviolet radiation. These shifts in temperature and the light climate will likely affect marine microbial communities, which are the main drivers of the biogeochemical cycles. Phytoplankton are very sensitive to changes in both temperature and the light climate. At the same time, bacterial activity and community composition will be directly or indirectly (via the dissolved organic matter pool) affected. We have recently demonstrated shifts in bacterial consortia as a result of prolonged manipulated irradiance exposure at an Antarctic marine site. So far, extremely little is known about spatial and temporal diversity of Arctic marine microbial communities. Yet, serious consequences for the carbon flux can be anticipated. The aim of the proposed research is to investigate the effects of temperature and irradiance on phytoplankton and bacterial production and species composition. We will conduct a series of field surveys in the Arctic (primarily Koldewey lab. Spitsbergen, other locations to be selected), covering spring, summer and autumn periods. Here, climate change related changes in meltwater input and water turbidity will also be addressed. Microcosm experiments (in 12 L UV transmissive PMMA bottles) will be set-up in UV transparent incubators, and exposed to natural solar radiation in a matrix of temperatures (2: environmental, elevated), irradiance quantities (3: 90 %, 60%, and 30% of incident) and irradiance qualities (3: PAR only, PAR + UVAR, PAR + UVBR + UVAR). In addition to standard physical (T, irradiance) and chemical parameters (a.o. nutrients, DOC, POC), phytoplankton growth, species composition and photoacclimation parameters (xanthophyll cycling, P-I responses, oxidative stress parameters) will be followed in each microcosm for the duration of the experiments. Bacterial metabolic activity will be studied using production and respiration measurements on the community and on a single cell level by microautoradiography combined with catalyzed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization (MICRO-CARD-FISH). Fingerprinting techniques (DGGE, T-RFLP) will be applied to assess the composition of the bacterial community. Sequence information will be used to develop oligonucleotide probes for more detailed MICRO-CARD-FISH analyses. Thus, we will perform a complex structure-function analysis of the microbial community.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Very little is known about the spatial and temporal variability in high Arctic marine microbial communities (Theme 1). Therefore the project will first of all give baseline information on bacterial metabolic characteristics and community composition over a range of environmental conditions. In addition, from the intended microcosm-experiments the project will provide new information on the influence of T and irradiance on the structure and function of natural phyto- and bacterioplankton communities. The outcome of our field campaigns will significantly advance our understanding on the effects of climate change on the main drivers of the biogeochemical cycles in the Arctic environment (Theme 2).

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The proposed research is part of an ongoing cooperation between our group at the University of Groningen, the Royal NIOZ, and our German partners (AWI, IPO) which has included a variety of joint field projects in polar regions(see also 3.1)

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Initially experiments will conducted in the Kongsfjorden, Spitbergen (high Arctic). This fjord has excellent facilities for executing the porposed work.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 2007: April - July      2008: April - July      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
No, all facilities available at the new Koldewey lab.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

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

Dutch polar operators at NIOZ and NOW; however most logistic support will be given by AWI Bremerhaven, Germany

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Subject to assessment by Dutch National Funding Agency NWO (Dutch Polar program by NWO).

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

The proposed project is part of a core theme within our RUG group. Internationally, the participating groups have an ongoing cooperation in marine (polar) photobiology, where our German partners (Wiencke, Bischof) primarily focus on climate change driven T and irradiance effects in macroalgae. Comparable plans are made for joint activities at the Antarctic Station Dallman (foreseen for 2006).

How will the project be organised and managed?
Project organisation and management will be done by lead PI (Buma, RUG, The Netherlands). Due to the fact that all international partners are geographically close, and at the same time have several other joint activities as well, meetings (3-4 per year) on project organisation, logistics, scientific planning, data handling and scientific discussion) are well feasible.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The proposed project will directly affect education through involvement of masters students. In addition, educating and training of future polar researchers is stimulated by RUG and NIOZ through the implementation of a joint specialised Master course in Polar Ecology, involving a.o. our German partners (start autumn 2006).

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Atmospheric and irradiance data are collected, processed and managed at AWI. Biological water column data will be collected by the respective partners. Central location will be chosen for those data (RUG) and made available for the scientific community via .URL

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding applications will be done at our National Polar Program (Dutch National Science Foundation, NOW

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Anita Buma
Department of Marine Biology
University of Groningen
Kerklaan 30, Haren,
9750 AA
Netherlands

Tel: 0031-50-3636139
Mobile: n.a.
Fax: 0031-50-3632261
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation