Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

The Transpolar Drift system in the Arctic Ocean  (TRANSPOL)

Outline
We propose to establish a research project on the climatic evolution of the Transpolar Drift (TPD) in the Arctic Ocean, including the past, present and the future. The base for the research project will be an educational and scientific training program building upon the existing structures of joint German-Norwegian-Russian collaboration situated in St. Petersburg. These are the Otto Schmidt and Fram Arctic laboratories (AARI, AWI, IFM-GEOMAR, NPI and SPbU), NIERSC as well as the associated universities in the three countries. The Transpolar Drift is one of the most prominent features of the Arctic circulation system. Sea ice formed in the Siberian shelf seas is transported by TPD to the Fram Strait, thus significantly influencing the water mass formation, thermohaline circulation, and sediment transport to the Nordic Seas. The main driving forces controlling TPD are atmospheric and oceanic circulation, sea level structure, and hydrological cycle. Assessing past changes of the closely coupled land-ocean system of the seasonally ice-covered north Eurasian margin, as the starting point of the TPD, will put the modern conditions into a historical perspective as well as helping to determine the natural variability of the TPD. Our study also involves deciphering the variability of the riverine discharge from the Siberian hinterland, and the effect of this freshwater on the sea ice and shelf water mass formation as well as dispersal along the TPD on various timescales. The main initiative of this project is to frame all relevant aspects of the TPD. Specific tasks of the project are: • to collect TPD-related data of ice drift vectors, ice concentration and thickness, hydrography, sea currents, sea level, river run-off, atmospheric conditions, and ice rafted sediments. • to establish an observational network including drifting buoys, polar and drifting stations, moored oceanographic platforms. • to organize field experiments for the validation of satellite altimetry, ice drift and thickness. • to reconstruct variability of forcing factors of TPD on geological timescales. • to perform a spatial and temporal analysis of TPD pattern based on statistical and numerical modeling and to identify the driving factors controlling the variability of the TPD. • to develop different future scenarios for the TPD and its impact for Northern Europe climate and ecology.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Our specific contribution to the four themes are: • The acquisition of key data sets. • Reconstruction of ice drift patterns, river runoff, water mass formation and sea level history in the source area of the TPD on different timescales. • Advance our understanding by developing a conceptual model of TPD evolution and its influence on the thermohaline circulation system and the global climate. • Develop a new observational system for the monitoring of the Transpolar Drift. We will educate and train young and new scientists in Arctic research, in particular through the existing joint German, Norwegian and Russian collaborations.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
TRANSPOL is an international research activity that will be implemented by a consortium of 7 partners from Germany, Norway, and Russia. The project will also promote international collaboration, networking and mobility in the field of education and training.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Field Work and training will take place in several regions following the general pathway of the Transpolar Drift system, including the Siberian Shelf Seas, the Eurasian Basin, and the Fram Strait.

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Existing field stations, WMO network, ice-breaker, satellite remote sensing (e.g. EOS TERRA and AQUA, CRYOSAT & ENVISAT), research vessels, ice-tethered platforms, oceanographic observatories, manned drifting stations, air support for ice-borne instrument deployment, near real-time data transmission.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
We will establish new observing systems for the Arctic.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency
Own support
Other sources of support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The proposal will be submitted to the national IPY committees of the participating countries for endorsement.

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

IABP, North-Pole drifting station, System Laptev Sea (Russian-German Program), Arctic Environments: The protected areas of the Lena Delta and New Siberian Islands – Past and present changes (Intas Project).

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed based on a formal agreement between the participating institutes. The project coordinator is Vladimir Pavlov from the Norwegian Polar Institute. A project steering committee has been established, with H. Kassens as chairman, to make decisions on higher level scientific and management issues, including technical, exploitation, financial, gender issues, planning and control matters.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
strengthening of international education and training • promoting Russian participation in the Bologna process • offering an international education effort • educating and training young and new scientists in Arctic research, in particular through the existing joint German, Norwegian and Russian collaborations.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management will follow the general principles of the ICSU-IPY framework.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Each participating institution will apply funding from their national research funding agencies and the EU.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Vladimir Pavlov
Norwegian Polar Institute, Polar Environmental Centre


N-9296
Norway

Tel: +47 77750516
Mobile: +47 90626955
Fax: +47 77750501
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation