Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

The International Arctic Buoy Programme: Expanding Arctic Observations for the International Polar Year  (IABP and IPY)

Outline
A network of automatic data buoys to monitor synoptic-scale fields of sea level pressure (SLP), surface air temperature (SAT), and ice motion throughout the Arctic Ocean was recommended by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences in 1974. Based on the Academy’s recommendation, the Arctic Ocean Buoy Program was established by the Polar Science Center, Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), University of Washington, in 1978 to support the Global Weather Experiment. Operations began in early 1979, and the program continued through 1990 under funding from various agencies. In 1991, the International Arctic Buoy Programme (IABP) succeeded the Arctic Ocean Buoy Program, but the basic objective remains – to maintain a network of drifting buoys on the Arctic Ocean to provide meteorological and oceanographic data for real-time operational requirements and research purposes including support to the World Climate Research Programme and the World Weather Watch Programme. The observations from the IABP have been essential for: 1.) Monitoring Arctic and global climate change; 2.) Forecasting weather and sea ice conditions; 3.) Forcing, assimilation and validation of global weather and climate models; 4.) Validation of satellite data; etc. These observations provide the longest continuing record for the Arctic, and have been one of the cornerstones for environmental forecasting and studies of climate and climate change, i.e. many of the changes in Arctic climate were first observed or explained using data from the IABP. The IABP is also evolving to better support the operational and research requirements of the community by deploying buoys which also monitor sea ice, and ocean conditions. These stations provide critical atmospheric, ice, and upper ocean hydrographic measurements that cannot be obtained by other means. The IABP data can be integrated into other aspects of the Arctic Observing Network (e.g. coastal stations, and ocean moorings). To prepare for the IPY, the IABP plans to intensify its monitoring program and continue providing the highest quality products of observational data for the Arctic Ocean. The IABP strives to maintain an observing network with buoys no more than 250 kilometers apart, which requires an array of at least 60 buoys, which will need to be replenished on a regular basis due to the harsh Arctic conditions. The IABP also envisions enhanced data integration and management of observations taken from the sea ice by collaborating with the WCRP/SCAR International Programme for Antarctic Buoys (IPAB).

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Themes 1 and 2: IABP provide critical atmospheric, ice, and upper ocean hydrographic measurements that cannot be obtained by other means, that can be used for: 1.) Monitoring Arctic and global climate change; 2.) Forecasting weather and sea ice conditions; 3.) Forcing, assimilation and validation of global weather and climate models; 4.) Validation of satellite data; etc. Data from the IABP has been essential in detecting many of the observed changes in Arctic climate. Theme 3: Providing data and products on sea ice from both Arctic and Antarctic observations will enhance our understanding polar-global linkages.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The IABP participants include 20 different institutions from 9 countries, who all work together to maintain the monitoring network of drifting buoys on the Arctic Ocean. A list of these participants can be obtained from http://iabp.apl.washington.edu/Participants.htm. The IABP will also collaborate with their southern hemisphere counterparts, the WCRP IPAB.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The IABP deploys its buoys on the sea The IABP deploys its buoys on the sea ice pack of the Arctic Ocean. However, we are collaborating with other projects such as Ocean Atmosphere Sea Ice Snow-Cover (OASIS), to develop buoys which can be deployed in the seasonal ice zone of the Arctic.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 1979 – on going      Intensive monitoring during IPY      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The buoys of the IABP are typically deployed using: 1.) ships of opportunity, who deploy buoys as time allows during other experiments in the Arctic; 2.) dedicated air craft who drop the buoys onto the sea ice using parachutes or land on the sea ice.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The monitoring network needs to be reseeded continually since the drift of sea ice and extreme conditions of the Arctic Ocean prohibits the establishment of a long-term infrastructure. However, the observations collected by these buoys have provided the foundation of Arctic forecasting and climate research since 1979.

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

The Participants of the IABP use a myriad of logistics to maintain the buoy array from funding obtained by individual Principal Investigators, to logistics provided by the military (e.g. the U.S. Naval Oceanographic command deploys buoys for the IABP).

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes. The IABP is an action group of the Data Buoy Cooperation Panel of the WCRP. Expression of interest from many of the Participants of the IABP are being considered by their repective National Committees for IPY. The IABP is coordinated with its southern hemisphere counterpart, the IPAB.

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?
Exp

The IABP has been in operation since 1979. During IPY, we plan to deploy a denser array of buoys enhanced with more sensors to intensively monitor conditions at the surface of the Arctic Ocean.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The IABP is managed by an Executive Committee and a Coordinator who are elected by the Participants of the IABP (http://iabp.apl.washington.edu/execs.html), and operation of the program was delegated to the Coordinator of the IABP, Ignatius Rigor.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The IABP currently provides education and outreach through the involvement of its participants with the news media, through web sites designed to engage the public, by working with graduate and undergraduate students, and public lectures.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All data collected by IABP platforms are posted to the Global Telecommunication System (GTS) and are available through the IABP website (http://iabp.apl.washington.edu). Data management and quality control of the data are conducted by the Polar Science Center, and are immediately available to the public for realtime applications including weather forecasting.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The IABP is funded by its Participants, who each obtain resources to sustain the program from their respective National funding agencies. For example, the US contributions to the IABP are obtained from multiple government/military agencies including NSF, NOAA, IARC, NASA, NAVO, and are coordinated by the National/Naval Ice Center and the Polar Science Center.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Not at this time.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Ignatius Rigor
Polar Science Center, APL/UW
1013 NE 40th Street
Seattle, WA
98105
USA

Tel: 206 685-2571
Mobile: no
Fax: 206 616-3142
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation