Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Iceberg Decay: Serving a Thirsty World  (Iceberg Decay: Serving a Thirsty World)

Outline
We propose a new polar collaboration between Middle Eastern interests in tapping icebergs as a freshwater source and polar glaciologists seeking to understand the rapid breakup of warming ice shelves. It has recently been observed that large tabular icebergs develop elevated edges that convert the surface into a large basin that holds meltwater. This phenomenon makes feasible the siphoning of freshwater into ships that can transport the water to water-depleted countries. This technique replaces the less viable option of towing icebergs to these mid and low latitude countries—an method explored more than a quarter century ago. For scientists, the warming iceberg offers the opportunity to study the process of ice shelf disintegration in rapid evolution. Increased meltwater is held to be a necessary condition of disintegration. Tabular bergs offer a laboratory to large enough to simulate the ice shelf and small enough to run controlled experiments such as the viability of the long-standing hypothesis that a water-filled crack will propagate through the entire ice thickness. The shared interest in large icebergs provides a unique opportunity to capture the attention of a large portion of the world’s population that is largely unaware of the polar regions and dismissive of its relevance in their lives. This project could radically alter this perception, alleviate water shortages for many people and catalyze new partnerships of international cooperation. As such, it is a worthy candidate for the International Polar Year.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The project offers scientists the opportunity to help unlock the mysteries of ice-shelf disintegration—a puzzling and troubling phenomenon with consequences for future sea level change. It also has a more direct societal benefit. If the economic viability for water transport is confirmed, then there will be a new source of freshwater for potentially millions of people living in arid lands. Finally, this project will promote new partnerships thorough the shared interests in icebergs and make these same people clearly aware of the utility of the polar regions in their lives.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
We seek the partnership of nations that are in need of additional freshwater sources and have the capability of transporting water from mid-latitude waters to their home ports. We are pursuing Middle Eastern countries and have been working to make productive contacts. ANY ASSSISTANCE IN THIS EFFORT WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
We will travel to where the large tabular icebergs are and are melting. These will be targets of opportunity.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: Dec. 2007 – Feb. 2008      Dec. 2008 – Feb. 2009      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
A ship will be required to rendezvous with the icebreaker and an on-board helicopter to transfer field scientists to the iceberg surface.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The legacy is most likely to be a new source of freshwater and a technique for harvesting it.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Not yet submitted to US 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

How will the project be organised and managed?
A joint research strategy will be drawn up between the scientific research and the water resource teams to determine how to achieve both project objectives. It is likely the majority of the research will be performed during periods when the water transport ships are not in the area.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The major educational opportunity is the increased awareness of polar regions for the people of arid lands. Thus, we will leverage off the educational programs in those countries and offer the expertise of the polar scientists to the educational leaders of those arid countries.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The data will be primarily of the type that comprise research publications.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We will seek to maximize the financial support from the participating arid countries as they have the promise of a large financial benefit if icebergs prove to be a viable source of freshwater. Limited financial support will also be requested through proposals to the US NSF.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Presently, it has been difficult to make meaningful contacts with possible arid-country partners. Any assistance in this from the Joint Committee would be most helpful.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Robert Bindschadler
Code 970
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
20771
USA

Tel: 301-614-5664
Mobile: 301-655-2064
Fax: 301-614-5666
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation