Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Pedobiological processes evolution in polar areas  (PPEPA)

Outline
In the light of researches recently achieved on the soil biology and under climate changes, we aim to assess the stage the Arctic and Antarctic soils have reached until now and the prospects of their future evolution. As pedogenesis is a mainly biological process, we will consider and compare those characteristics of terrestrial crust alteration which essentially differentiate the mineral soil from the organic one, in which the biological circuit of biogenic chemical elements integrating both the vital processes and the biochemical (pedoenzymical) ones develop. Our experience, of over 40 years, in the soil biology field is the basis of the elaboration of a unitary conception about how the soil evolution must be studied and quantitatively estimated, from the sterile rock to the soil impregnated with life, whose fundamental feature is “the fertility”. The main objective of this bipolar project is the comparison of soil forming stages, achieved at present by the terrestrial crust in Spitsbergen and Greenland zones (influenced by the warm Gulf Stream) and Antarctic coast and interior areas, that can be easier done by analyzing some original biological indicators (modular and synthetic), similar to those used for soils in the alpine zones in temperate areas. The differentiation of the incipient soils from the defined ones may only be done by determining the occurrence of vital and enzymic processes, as well as biomass and humic substance accumulation. When the premise of mineral layer evolution towards true soil is created, the evolution can accelerate or remain at a low level, in an equilibrium state conditioned by the climate (in the short polar summer), achieving the specific stages of pedoclimax. Under such conditions of soil forming, owing to organic remains accumulations, humic substances can occur on sub-stratums, possibly forming ornithogenic soils. The content of soil enzymes, in researched biotops, give more exact information, about the quantitative level of the sources of accumulated enzymes in soil (from micropopulation, plants, and bird and animal dejections) that contributes to the cycling of chemical elements in each biotop. The project involves: 1. microbiological analyses; 2. determination of vital (soil respiration) and enzymic (cellulosolythic) potentials; enzymic analyses: catallasic, sacharasic and phosphatasic potentials, also using original methods (Stefanic and colab.); 3. chemical analyses. Protocols will be developed for the field sampling operations and bio-physico-chemical analyses. This project is a bipolar one, involving combined studies of climate-related geochemistry, pedobiology, microbiology and ecology.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
A theme yet not proposed in IPY, for a better assessment of cryosoil forming and evolution processes, based on original, improved methods, enabling future elaboration of climate-related pedobiological database and models. These scientific activities were initiated on IPY launch. If related research separately carried out by project participants was restricted to a limited number of locations, in this project the participants will contribute to new research locations and activities. The project will identify geographic, methodological and knowledge gaps, and communicate to the wider scientific community and general public the significance of the cryosoil studies through outreach and education activities.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
A number of N institutes from X countries: Romania – Romanian Polar Research Institute, “Lower Danube” University Galati, Agricultural and Veterinary Science University, Bulgaria - Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; Estonia - Institute of Geology at Tallinn Technical University; India - National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Research activities will be performed on well-defined areas in Arctica: Groenlanda, Illulissat area and West Spitsbergen, and Antarctica - coast and interior areas, mainly in the vicinity of the existing research stations in Livingston Island, Schirmacher Oasis and Larsemann Hills.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 03/08 – 04/08      07/08 – 08/08      
Antarctic: 02/07 – 03/07      12/08 – 02/09      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Following the agreement with India, we use an Indian ship to Antarctica, their helicopter, and the research stations of India and Romania, Maitry Station and Law-Racovita Base. For Greenland and Spitsbergen, we use the current transport means and organize a camp with tents.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The equipment that will be purchased during the project, such as microscopes, electric power generator, meteorological equipment, biosensor systems, will be a legacy to be further used in the next projects.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator

No

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Project endorsed at national level by two Excellence Research Projects coordinated by Romanian Polar Research Institute: Structuring of an integrated, international cooperation research on biodiversity in polar ecosystems, the response to environmental changes, and applications; Promotion of the international cooperation research for the study of psychrophillic microorganism potential in bioremediation.

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 project is an initiative established over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe, aiming to develop the knowledge gained in our previous research on pedobiological process evolution in polar areas. The project integrates in our planed activities at national level and it is not a component of any IPY project.

How will the project be organised and managed?
A project based on free-standing activities, competence integration and coordinated activity performance. A self-managed project, by a Project Management Committee including experts from among the partners, based on a Management Plan, specifying the ways of: periodical meetings, problem identification/solving, observance of milestones and tasks allotted to each partner, dissemination/education issues. The project is a part of two International Symposium for Polar Research organized under Romanian Academy, 2007 and 2008. Project management will be ensured by the coordinating institute experience in current international projects (CAREX, FP7 Aurora Borealis Icebreaker, participation in European Polar Consortium, EUROPOLAR ERA-NET), and Dr. Paul Egerton, ESF.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Plan for EOC activities will specify: Project result disemination by scientific reports and papers in international conferences, journals, and Antarctic Treaty/SCAR and on the participants/project websites. All participants will be involved in dissemination; Education activities in universities and research institutes, especially by master/Ph.D. students participation in the project.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Project data will be managed observing Intellectual Property Rights. Data management will regulate communication beween partners, outreach to local, national and international levels. Project website will be periodically updated, as an interactive portal and forum for the project progress/results. If applicable, after results validation we will apply for international patents.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Fonds necessary for the project objective achievement come from national research agencies, ministries, academies and from private sources, such as Romanian Antarctic Foundation for Romania.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Researches within this project began in 2007, the year of IPY 2007-2008 launch. Project objectives have been communicated to some leaders of IPY projects on themes that could also include our research. Yet, these objectives have not been included at that moment. Following the scientific activities performed since March 2007 by the partners and their results, this group decided to apply this project proposal to the IPY managers. This project belongs to the scientific themes and activities of IPY 2007-2008 and SCAR.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Teodor Gheorghe Negoita
Romanian Polar Research Institute
1 Libertatii Blvd, Bucharest - 4
C.P. 42-29, Bucharest - 4
140127
Romania

Tel: +40213372986
Mobile: no
Fax: +40213372986
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Other project members and their affiliation