Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Greenland Ice Streams Through Late Quaternary Glacial-Interglacial Cycles  (Greenland Ice Streams)

Outline
The aim of this project is to reconstruct the Late Quaternary behaviour of the two major ice streams in the modern Greenland Ice Sheet (GIS): Jakobshavns Isbrae in western Greenland and the North-East Greenland Ice Stream (NEGIS). These ice streams drain the two largest drainage basins of the GIS and, together, account for about 20% of the total discharge from the ice sheet. They exert a major influence on the past, present and future mass-balance of the ice sheet. Large-scale temporal changes in the mass balance of the GIS (e.g., collapse of major drainage basins) would be reflected in changes to the dynamics of these ice streams. We will determine if Jakobshavns Isbrae and NEGIS - and thus major areas of the GIS - have undergone large scale changes to their stability and flow dynamics throughout the Late Quaternary, with particular reference to the interval of time since the last glacial maximum (LGM - 21,000 years ago). We will employ a combination of off-shore and on-shore geological, geomorphological, and geophysical investigations, integrated with ice sheet and sea level modelling. The underlying rationale for this research is to determine if recent (last ~10-100 yr) observed changes to GIS mass balance are part of the natural variability in ice sheet dynamics, or if they relate to anthropogenically-induced climate warming. Key to resolving this is an understanding of the longer-term changes in ice sheet behaviour during previous glacial cycles, and especially since the LGM. This will allow assessment of the links between deglaciation and internal and external environmental controls, and will facilitate modelling of the likely future behaviour of these ice streams and the GIS more widely. Our proposed research envisages two intensive periods of fieldwork during IPY focussed on these two major ice streams. Our aim is to collect new field observations from marine and terrestrial settings, combined with an interdisciplinary programme of laboratory work and modelling. This will be divided into (1) marine geological and geophysical investigations of the off-shore sedimentary record in Disko Bugt, West Greenland into which Jakobshavns Isbrae drains; and (2) terrestrial and marine-based geological, geophysical and geomorphological investigations of NE Greenland where NEGIS terminates in a series of floating outlets. The research detailed is strongly interdisciplinary, and involves experts from European and North American academic institutions. It will directly complement the aims of the proposed new European ESF Programme APEX (Arctic Palaeoclimate and its Extremes).

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project will quantify and understand the role of the Greenland Ice Sheet in the wider global climate system, both today and in the past (Themes 1-3). The project will investigate links between the cryosphere, oceans and climate in scientifically unexplored areas of the Arctic (NE Greenland and offshore West Greenland) (Theme 4). The field data will be used as a basis for modelled projections of future change in Arctic regions (e.g., Greenland ice sheet contribution to global sea level and impact on thermohaline circulation) which have socio-economic implications, both for the Arctic and more widely (Themes 5 and 6).

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project involves scientists from the UK, USA, Spain and Denmark. Collaboration will involve fieldwork planning, field-data collection, laboratory analysis and modelling, and more broadly, grant applications and writing of scientific 50 words max This project involves scientists from the UK, USA, Spain and Denmark. Collaboration will involve fieldwork planning, field-data collection, laboratory analysis and modelling, and more broadly, grant applications and writing of scientific publications. It links to the proposed new European ESF Programme APEX (Arctic Palaeoclimate and its Extremes) involving scientists from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, UK, Russia and Sweden.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The geographical areas for this research are:1. NE Greenland. Fjords and surrounding upland areas; continental shelf, slope and adjoining deep sea basin.2. Central West Greenland. Disko Bugt. Continental shelf, slope and adjoining deep sea basin.

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
An ice strengthened research vessel will be required for marine geological and geophysical investigations in NE Greenland and Disko Bugt, west central Greenland. This resource could potentially be shared with other projects who might wish to deploy or recover buoys or moorings for oceanographic or geological purposes in these regions.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The legacy of this project will include the development of new international collaborative research links between participating members and institutions, intellectual advances and the training of the next generation of polar scientists.

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

Through applications to national funding agencies (e.g., NERC) and polar operators (e.g., British Antarctic Survey).

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This expression of intent has been submitted to the UK National IPY Committee.

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

This is a new project involving collaboration between European and North American researchers working in six different institutions. The researchers have all individually worked on various aspects of the Greenland Ice Sheet but the proposed research will bring together their expertise in an interdisciplinary fashion for the first time.

How will the project be organised and managed?
There will be three components to the fieldwork associated with this project: two marine geological and geophysical cruises, to west central Greenland and NE Greenland respectively, and a campaign of terrestrial fieldwork in NE Greenland. In addition, modelling and laboratory analysis will utilise data collected during the fieldwork. The project will organised through the University of Durham and it is anticipated that there will be annual project meetings involving all participants, as well as more frequent planning and review meetings to monitor progress of certain aspects of the project (e.g., cruise and terrestrial fieldwork logistics).

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
This research has the potential to engage wide public interest. Newsworthy results will be disseminated to the media. A project web page will be hosted at the University of Durham. The project involves training PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. Academic lectures, and scientific and popular publications will promote the research.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Initial plans for data management involve archiving of the geophysical and geological data at appropriate recognised repositories. The processed marine geophysical data will be archived at the British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge. Sediment cores will be stored and archived at the British Ocean Core Repository (BOSCOR), Southampton Oceanography Centre.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Applications for funding will be made to appropriate national funding agencies (e.g., NERC).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This project addresses a research problem of wide scientific importance and social relevance (the past, present and future behaviour of the Greenland Ice Sheet). It complements growing concerns regarding the response of the polar ice sheets, including Antarctica, to future climate change. By concentrating on the two ice streams we will target the most important potential triggers of abrupt ice sheet change in the northern hemisphere. The ice marginal and offshore work that we propose will directly complement and add value to the palaeoclimate data collected from the Greenland ice cores over the last 20 years.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr. Colm O’Cofaigh
Department of Geography, University of Durham
Science Site, South Road
Durham
DH1 3LE
UK

Tel: 00-44-(0)191-3341890
Mobile: no
Fax: 00-44-(0)191-3341801
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation