Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Antarctic permafrost and climate change  (Antarctic permafrost and climate change)

Outline
The project is aiming at enhanced knowledge of the present of the morphology and structure of Antarctic permafrost and the interpretation of the permafrost evolution and the cryogenic processes and phenomena revealed in certain periglacial conditions in the Antarctic Peninsula under climate and glacial changes. These are ones of the few sites in Antarctica where ice-free territory exists with the presence of frozen quaternary deposits on the permafrost continuous zone. Beginning with the early Holocene the climatic conditions was favourable for the existence of permafrost, if the surface is not covered by glaciers. The development of the Antarctic permafrost on the ice-free areas, the dynamic of the geocryogenic processes and the ice ground formation are conditioned by climatic parameters and different ground types related with surface hydrographic systems and phreatic aquifer on the periglacial zone. According to conditions of Quaternary history permafrost is divided into two cryoformations: epigenetic and syngenetic. Each unit was characterized by different cryogenic processes, formation of ground ice in the permafrost and active layer, conditions of bedding and occurrence of buried o constitutional ground ice types. The different climatic conditions determinate the cryogenic asymmetry of the Antarctic Peninsula with respect the continuous permafrost on north-east side and the discontinuous permafrost on the west sector. At present all region of Antarctic Peninsula has been subject to a significant atmospheric warming of 2.5 °C on the eastern and northern part and more 4 °C on the western part over the last 50 years.The specific objectives of proposed activity are:To determine the present distribution, state and genetic tyres of permafrost in the ice-free areas of the Antarctic Peninsula. To prepare a map showing permafrost, ground-ice conditions and cryogenic features in the Antarctic Region.To examine available Circum-Antarctic permafrost history related to permafrost development after Last Glacial Maximum.To realize the monitoring of the cryogenic processes of the active layers and permafrost in the selected model sites of the Antarctic Peninsula.To determinate the origin of the frozen ground and depositional environments in the different sectors of the AntarcticaTo quantify the interaction between the Antarctic permafrost and global climate change.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Synthesis of field observations and satellite and aerial photography data for reporting permafrost conditions in AntarcticaDevelopment of methods for analiysis of remote sensing for mapping of Antarctic permafrost and ground-ice featuresCollection and standardization of geocryological and climate data in Antarctica for the reconstruction of the Quaternary environmental development in Circum-Antarctic regionAnalysis of the conditions of permafrost formation and conceptual model of the geocryological and geomorphologic changes since the last deglaciation for each periglacial type.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Collaboration with IPY projects and national Antarctic programmes that plan analogous studies. We expect international cooperation in data search and management, field work, model development, and writing publications.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Antarctic Peninsula, primary target areas: Seymour Island, James Ross Island, Vega Island, Hope Bay (Tabarin Peninsula), King George Island, Livingston Island (Antarctic Peninsula); Schirmakher Hills (Droning Maud Land, East Anatrctica).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: December 2007 – February2008      December 2008 – February 2009      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Project does not require any additional field logistical support other than what is provided through the Argentinean and Russian Antarctic Expeditions.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
This project will leave a legacy of infrastructure of existing Argentinean and Russian Stations. The data obtained can be used for optimising the construction of stations and bases as well as travel routes, runways etc.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Dirección Nacional del Antártico, ArgentineArmed Forces of Argentina. Russian Academy of Sciences.Russian Antarctic ExpeditionOrganizing Committee of the Argentine for the IPY 2007/2008Organizing Committee of the Russian Federation for the 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?


The project is a component of the research activities within the frames of Argentinean and Russian Antarctic research programmes.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be carrying out within the frames of Antarctic permafrost programme of the Dirección Nacional Antártica - Instituto Antártico Argentino (Argentina) and Institute of Geography Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia).

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Results of the project will be presented through reports, papers and web sites of the participants. The modern knowledge on the state of Antarctic permafrost can be used in education, outreach and communication. It is planned to involve students and younger scientists in field studies and processing of data collected.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The data obtained after processing and analysing will be integrated into national and international databases under the concordance with countries or institutions that fulfil the analogous studies in Antarctica.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
It is proposed to fund the project through the DNA-IAA (Argentina), Russian Antarctic Expedition and Russian Academy of Sciences.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr. Yevgeniy Yermolin
Instituto Antártico Argentino,
Cerrito 1248,
Buenos Aires
1010
Argentina

Tel: +54 11 4816 6821
Mobile: no
Fax: +54 11 4816 6821
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation