Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

International Traverse for Investigating the Subglacial ENvironment of West-Antarctica  (ScITISEN)

Outline
The subglacial environment beneath the last two great ice sheets, Antarctica and Greenland, provides one of the last frontiers for scientific exploration on Earth. The subglacial environment plays a crucial role in the dynamic of ice sheets, provides an environment for life in an truly extreme environment and thus may provides an analogy for extra-terrestrial life and ample opportunity to develop and test equipment for planetary exploration. Yet large parts of the subglacial environment in Antarctica and Greenland are insufficiently mapped and very little is known about its geology, hydrological system or the distribution of life in this extreme environment and the impact on global biogeochemical cycles. However such knowledge and knowledge about the interaction between the ice sheet and its subglacial environment is essential in for example understanding and reconstructing the climatic evolution of these ice sheets, to make predictions about their future behaviors and to reconstruct the structural evolution of the underlying crust. This international initiative proposes to start a systematic interdisciplinary study of the subglacial environment. The subglacial environment targeted in this initiative encircles the solid earth, hydrosphere (including the ocean) and biosphere beneath or at the base of the Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets. Specifically we propose a fast-drilling traverse across the West-Antarctic Ice Sheet during the IPY in 2007/10. Targets and goals along the traverse route are: 1. year: Mc. Murdo – UpC Ross Ice Shelf – quantifying rates of ice sheet retreat from the geological - geomorphological record, quantification of sub ice shelf circulation and bottom water formation, marine biology and microbiology, sedimentary record of tectonic evolution and climate history in WA Grounding zone of Kamb Ice Stream (KIS) – influence of the grounding zone on ice stream mechanics and ice sheet stability, interaction between subglacial hydrology and the sub ice shelf ocean, temporal and spatial variability of the grounding zone and its geologic - glacial geomorphological record, characterization of marine biological and microbiological diversity in the sub ice shelf environment, climate history KIS-trunk – characterization and evolution of subglacial hydrological system beneath Kamb Ice Stream and its influence on ice stream dynamics, subglacial geologic record of ice stream shutdown, life in the basal zone of ice streams. 2. year*: Lake Ellsworth or subglacial lakes in the Ross Sea sector – characterization and evolution of lake environments and its role within the subglacial hydrological system, influence of subglacial geology on subglacial lake environments and ice sheet dynamics. 3. year*: Mt. Resnik, Mt. Casertz – existence and characterization of subglacial volcanism and its influence on subglacial hydrology, ice dynamics and life. * timing dependent on British Lake Ellsworth activities.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This initiative opens the door to a systematic study of the subglacial environment, which truly one of the last frontiers of polar science. This will be the first systematic interdisciplinary study of the subglacial environment of ice sheets. It will a) allow determination of the present environmental status of the subglacial environment, b) investigate past and current change therein, c) investigate global linkages between sub ice sheet/ice shelf processes and their interaction with the earth’s oceans, climate and surface.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
International collaboration includes direct collaboration in the field with UK-initiative investigating Lake Ellsworth. Other international collaboration could be facilitated within the framework of SALE-UNITED an international SCAR scientific research program focusing on subglacial lakes and the subglacial environment. This will include the organization of an international short course series on the subglacial environment.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
West-Antarctica 1. year: Mc. Murdo – UpC or Byrd Station Ross Ice Shelf; Grounding zone of Kamb Ice Stream; trunk and tributaries of Kamb Ice Stream to Byrd Station 2. year*: Byrd Station to Lake Ellsworth to Byrd Station 3. year*: Mt. Resnik and Mt. Casertz * may be switched with year three dependent on timing of British activities at Lake Ellsworth. Possible equipment field-testing in Greenland.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 2007      2008      2009
Antarctic: 2007      2008      2009

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
traverse capability, Fuel depots, hot-water drill to 2000 m depth, ice and rock coring, multi instrument platforms, ROV, existing field stations, limited support from fixed wing transport aircraft

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Standing fast drilling and traversing capability for exploring the subglacial environment. -Setting the foundation for decades investigation exploring the subglacial environment with implications for evolution of life and space exploration. -Educational short-course series focusing in subglacial environmental processes and their influence on ice-earth-ocean-climate system

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

instrument development is work in progress and partly supported by NOAA; further funding anticipated from NOAA, NSF-OPP, NSF-Education; ICDP; DOSECC and other national and international agencies.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Expression of intent is in the process of being considered by the U.S. National Committee for IPY.

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?


Logical next step of programs like Caltech hot-water-drilling program, and part of next phase of SALE -New proposal in sofar as it established a standing drilling traverse capability, which can be used for at least a decade beyond the IPY activities.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Anticipated centralized Science Management Office responsible for logistics, education and outreach activity, and data management. Usage of available sample storage facilities for sample storage and distribution (e.g. NICL, Florida State, N. Ant.-rock-depository). Deposition of acquired data into existing data repositories. -Detailed organisation will be discussed fully in workshops held in 2005/06.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Development of international-linked educational short-course series focusing in subglacial environmental processes and their influence on ice-earth-ocean system in conjunction with AITI and GELATI two IPY-teaching initiatives (http://bprc.mps.ohio-state.edu/~svogel/IPY/IPY-index.php e.g. Vogel et.al.) -Production of a documentary on subglacial environment -Dissemination through attractive webpages with life reports, public lectures in collaboration professional outreach experts like Exploratorium.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Traditional data deposition in international recognised databases. ITASE has gained valuable experience with collating data from spatial networks, ScITISEN will build on their knowledge if possible.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Instrument development partially funded by existing NOAA and NSF-grants -Lead proposal will request funds for standing overland traversing and fast drilling capability as well as sample acquisition for science investigations from NSF-OPP and ICDP -British component of this project has requested funds from national funding agency -Individual science projects will individually request funds from national and international funding agencies.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Stefan W Vogel
Byrd Polar Research Center
1090 Carmack Rd., Scott Hall 108
Columbus OH
43210
USA

Tel: US-624-247-8082
Mobile: no
Fax: US-614-292-4697
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation