Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Late-Glacial and Holocene Environments in the Ross Sea Embayment: Implications for the Stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet  (WAIS)

Outline
The stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) remains an unresolved question. Because ice-sheet recession in the Ross Sea occurred in mid to late Holocene time (Conway et al., 1999), rising deglacial sea levels are precluded as a cause of WAIS retreat. Here, we wish to explore the possibility that elevated temperatures, either marine or atmospheric (or both), caused recession in the past and thus may have an impact on future ice-sheet behavior.We propose a multidisciplinary, multinational project to address the following: (1) When was deglaciation initiated in the Ross Sea Embayment? What were the possible triggering mechanisms? (2) What were the climate conditions that accompanied and perhaps drove ice retreat? (3) What was the timing and magnitude of Holocene climate fluctuations? Can we use Antarctic records to solve the mystery of millennial-scale climate change?Our work involves several components. First, last glacial maximum extent of the Ross Sea ice sheet (composed of both West and East Antarctic ice) will be determined from moraines in northern Victoria Land and other locations adjacent to the Ross Sea, as well as from raised beaches created by isostatic rebound. To assess East Antarctic ice behavior and contribution to this ice sheet, we also will analyze Rennick Glacier, which was not affected by West Antarctic ice. Second, we will reconstruct the timing of grounding-line retreat from relative sea-level curves, as well as from dating changes in the profiles of glaciers feeding into the ice in the Ross Sea (i.e., Conway et al., 1999). We will infer coeval environmental conditions from two datasets. First, population dynamics of Adelie penguins and southern elephant seals will be determined from abandoned colonies to provide sea-ice and climate proxies. Chronology will be improved by calculating past marine reservoir corrections from paired 14C and U/Th dates of transported coral concentrated on the surface of ice shelves. Second, atmospheric conditions will come from water-level changes of closed-basin lakes, which are highly sensitive to radiation balance. A radiation balance model will be employed to quantify the relationship between lake-level changes and climate. Our climate data will be integrated with existing and future ice-core data, allowing a comprehensive reconstruction of Holocene climate. These climate data, along with new information concerning the extent and timing of ice fluctuations in the Ross Sea, will help constrain the cause of WAIS (and potentially EAIS) recession and thus afford insight into future ice-sheet behavior.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
We will make significant advances towards reconstructing past changes in climate, ice sheets, and biota in Antarctica (Theme 2). Our data will be integrated with global climate records and applied towards understanding the present environment and towards predicting future changes (Theme 3). Our work will have a substantial natural science research (target 1) and education and outreach (target 2 – see section 7 below) component. We also will contribute towards data management (target 3), by producing a searchable, web-based, relative sea-level and paleobiological database, as well as contributing to and improving the fledgling Antarctic diatom database.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
At present, this project involves individuals from nine institutions in four countries (United States, United Kingdom, Italy, and New Zealand), all with well-established national programs and excellent logistical capabilities.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
This work will take place along the western coast of the Ross Sea and in the adjacent mountains. Our primary focus will be in northern Victoria Land (although some work may occur farther south) and include offshore islands (i.e., Franklin Island) and extend as far west as Rennick Glacier.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 12/06 – 2/07      12/07 – 2/08      12/08 – 2/09

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
We require helicopter or Twin Otter-supported tent camps with some close support. Ship time (Coast Guard with helicopter) is required for work in some spots. Ship time needed is small (<10 days shore time) if land-based helicopters support most work in northern Victoria Land. Resources can be shared.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project will contribute towards infrastructure by developing a much-needed relative sea-level and paleobiological database. This project also would give a significant boost to a fledgling Antarctic diatom database.

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

The logistics can be supported by NSF - Raytheon (USAP), the US Coast Guard, the Italian Antarctic Program, and the New Zealand Antarctic Program.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Our expression of interest is in the process of being considered by the US 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?
Yes

This is a new, autonomous proposal, not connected with any existing program.

How will the project be organised and managed?
This project is still sufficiently small that management is not overwhelming. Primary PIs, representing all involved nations, institutions, and disciplines, will form a steering committee, directed by Dr. Brenda Hall. The principal people will hold yearly meetings to ensure coordination among all group members and integration and publication of results.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Current plans include (1) involving a K-12 teacher/curriculum coordinator to maintain a website, give presentations, develop curricula and workshops, and participate in the field, (2) educating both science and education graduate and undergraduate students, (3) giving public lectures, (4) developing a museum exhibit, and (5) producing an educational video.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data will be submitted to the World Data Center for Paleoclimatology, as well as to the Antarctic Master Directory. In addition, we will develop a public-access, searchable web database for Antarctic relative sea-level and paleobiologic data. Diatom data from lake sediments will be incorporated into the emerging Antarctic diatom database.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Resources to carry out the work will be solicited from national funding agencies in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, and New Zealand.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Other collaborators, not listed below, include Dr. Glenn Berger (Desert Research Institute), Dr. Andrew Fountain (Portland State University), Dr. George Denton (Maine), and Ms. Mary Ann DeMello (Rockland Middle School).

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr. Brenda Hall
Climate Change Institute
311 Bryand
Orono, Maine
04469
USA

Tel: 207-581-2191
Mobile: no
Fax: 207-581-1203
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation