Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Minor gas and aerosol compounds in the lower atmosphere above the Northern Eurasia.  (Atmospheric Composition above the Northern Eurasia (ACNE))

Outline
1. Conduct measurements of radiation parameters, chemical and aerosol composition of the at-mospheric boundary layer over northern regions of Russia with use of mobile carriage - observa-tory TROICA. 2. Estimate emission rates of natural and anthropogenic sources of green-house gases, oxidants, and aerosols located in the northern Eurasia. 3. Conduct measurements of surface concentrations and total amount of green-house gases and basic oxidants, as well as microphysical and chemical characteristics of atmospheric aerosols with use of Tall Mast (300m height) in Central Siberia. 4. Conduct measurements of surface layer chemical composition as well as vertical distributions of ozone and nitric dioxide in the troposphere and the stratosphere at stationary scientific stations in Kola Peninsular and Moscow region. 5. Improve the understanding of chemical transformation, transcontinental transport, and vertical exchange processes in the troposphere and the lower stratosphere over the northern Eurasia. 6. Isolate and quantify the basic mechanisms of toxic compound generation in the atmosphere, stocking in vegetation, as well as their influence on the ecosystems of the northern Eurasia.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Development of scientific knowledge about basic physical and chemical mechanisms which in-fluence the balance of minor gaseous compounds in different layers of high-latitude atmosphere. Obtaining data to improve numerical modeling of climate changes. Inventarization of basic anthropogenic and natural sources of gas and aerosol species on the ter-ritory of Russia and estimation of their intensities with respect to Kyoto and Monreal Protocols as well as other nature-preserving agreements. Estimations of changes of boreal forests produc-tivity rates due to anthropogenic contamination and its influence on the balance of green-house gases and climate in northern Eurasia.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
NULL

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
At least four expeditions are to be conducted with use of mobile carriage - observatory (TRO-ICA): Moscow - Murmansk, Moscow - Vorkuta, Moscow - N. Yrengoy, Moscow - Chabarovsk. Three expeditions are to be conducted in Central Siberia (Krasnoyarsky Krai).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: Winter and summer periods of 2007 – 2008.            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Mobile carriage - observatory equipped by measurement devices, system of verification, and program software for managing the devices, data quality control and storage will be used. The observatory is to be used for measurements of chemical composition and estimations of natural and anthropogenic emission rates for green-house gases and chemically active compounds in the surface layer over the European North of Russia. Part of equipment will be used for stationary observations at Tall Mast in Siberia.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The scientific equipment of other organizations can be used; complex observations can provide more valuable scientific information.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project has been endorsed at a national level by Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Ministry of Natural Resources of Russian Federation, and Organizational Committee for Russian Participation in preparation and conducting of activities in the framework of IPY 2007/2008.

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

The given project includes existing international projects TROICA (Transcontinental Observa-tions into the Chemistry of the Atmosphere) and Tall Tower (Atmospheric Composition Meas-urements at the Tall Tower in Central Siberia). The directing organization is Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics RAS.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Scientific programs are prepared and controlled by Committee of Experts which consists of the representatives from national and foreign organizations which participate in the work.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Special railway train is to be created on the base of mobile observatory for teaching in the fields of atmospheric physics and chemistry, ecology, and other Earth sciences. Theoretical and ex-perimental studies will be conducted during the expeditions. The results of project will be presented in the form of reports and publications and can be used for educational studies. The purpose of the latter activity is propagation of modern knowledge about ecosystems of northern parts of European territory of the Russia and Siberia. The young scientists will be involved into the process of obtaining, systematization and initial processing of the data.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
After initial processing, experimental data will be integrated into the international data archives and put at disposal to other organizations.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project will be partially financed from budget of Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric as well as international projects, but additional foundation by foreign and Russian organizations taking part in the activities is also necessary.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Nikolai Elansky
Institute of Atmospheric Physics RAS.
Pyzhevsky per., 3, Obukhov
Moscow,
119017
Russia

Tel: +7 (095) 953-36-95,
Mobile: no
Fax: +7 (095) 953-37-62
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation