Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Direct study of inorganic and microbial weathering of minerals in the foreland of a glacier retreating due to global warming.  (Mineral weathering and global warming)

Outline
This study will focus on direct observations of carbonate and silicate mineral transformations due to chemical weathering and biological activity in the newly forming soils in the foreland of retreating glacier. An in-situ microcosm approach will be utilised to observe dissolution features and mineral-bacteria interactions on freshly fractured mineral surfaces burried in young soils of different age and sampled on annual basis for a period of up to 10 years. The study area is the foreland of the Werenskiold glacier on West Spitsbergen continuously retreating in the last century by several meters a year. This approach was successfully applied for muscovite mica in Antarctica’s Dry Valley. Alpine glaciers on Spitsbergen, however, offer more representative environment for all polar and semi-polar regions. Also, Werenskiold glacier, which erodes a variety of metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks, allows for experiments with the use of wide range of rock forming minerals including carbonates. Chemical weathering associated with glaciers has attracted interest recently because of the potential for negative feedbacks to global climate through the carbon cycle. Atmospheric CO2 forms carbonic acid in rain and snowmelt, which provides the protons for silicate mineral dissolution and is transformed to bicarbonate ion ultimately locked into biogenically deposited carbonate on the sea floor:CaSiO3 + H2CO3 -> CaCO3 + SiO2 + H2O To date, geochemists concentrated on analysis of water and bulk sediment chemistry. Macroscopic information alone, however, is not sufficient to identify the mechanisms of mineral transformation and microbial interaction with mineral surfaces. Recent advances in technology (e.g. AFM, XPS) allow for direct investigations of surface properties and reactions. To analyse the effects of soil forming processes on recently deglaciated terrain we must understand both nanoscale inorganic weathering processes and mineral-microbial interactions. It was established already that carbonate dissolution dominates in the youngest glacial sediments while silicate weathering is the dominant reaction in the older sediments. This interdisciplinary research will leave a legacy of observing sites in logistically accessible area to support long-term polar research and monitoring of the role of polar regions in the global carbon cycle.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Theme 1: This study will shed light on nanoscale transformations of mineral surfaces in arctic soils using in-situ field and lab techniques. Despite large volume of research on bulk geochemistry of waters and sediments very little is known about the mechanisms of microbially-mediated soil-forming processes in polar regions. Theme 2: The research site is representative to all Alpine glaciers retreating due to global warming. Theme 3: The study on weathering and soil-forming mechanisms addresses the issue of polar regions role in the global carbon cycle. Enhanced silicate weathering leading to long-term removal of CO2 may affect the carbon cycle and global climate.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Werenskioldbreen, north of Hornsund, Wedel Jarlsberg Land, West Spitsbergen, SVALBARD

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 07/05 – 09/05      07/07 – 09/07      07/08 – 09/08
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
This project maximises utilisation of available logistic assets. Transportation and lodging related to the activity of Polish Polar station in Hornsund, Svalbard is the sole basis of operation.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project will leave 5 sets of sampling stations consisting of well marked sites with several mineral-containing reaction vessels (i.e., in-situ microcosms, 4cm in size) burried into young soils at the foreland of Werenskiold glacier. The sites will be in operation for 10 years.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Accepted by Polish National Committee for 4-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?
New

The project is a new autonomous proposal.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Project is organised and managed by dr. Maciej MANECKI, Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry AGH-University of Science and Technology, Krakow, POLAND (gpmmanec@cyf-kr.edu.pl)All Polish participants are employees or students of AGH-University of Science and Technology. This project and other projects carried out in the AGH within the framework of the IPY will be co-ordinated by prof. Andrzej MANECKI, AGH-University of Science and Technology (manecki@geol.agh.edu.pl)

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Ph.D. and master graduate students will participate in the field and laboratory research. Results will be presented in the professional meetings and published in the international journals. The progress and results will be publicised through www site as well.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management issues will be co-ordinated by the National Programme of Polar Research, Poland.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The fieldwork will be mostly funded by AGH funds. Application for support of laboratory part of investigations from the Polish National Programme of Polar Research and Framework Programmes of the EU is planned.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Maciej Manecki
Department of Mineralogy, Petrography and Geochemistry
AGH - University of Science and Technology
Krakow
30-059
Poland

Tel: (48)(12) 617 23 74
Mobile: (48) 604 427 198
Fax: (48)(12) 633 43 30
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation