Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Quantifying the relationship of the geoelectric circuit to weather, climate and solar activity  (The Geoelectric Circuit)

Outline
The geoelectric circuit links weather and solar activity. It remains an open and a scientifically achievable goal to determine whether or not this linkage is passive or involves active coupling.Present research indicates that the best place to measure the global circuit is the Antarctic plateau (high, dry, relatively meteorologically stable). The Greenland plateau provides an ideal northern hemisphere site. We propose making simultaneous vertical electric field and air-earth current measurements at a range of polar sites (plans presently envisage measurements at Vostok, South Pole, Concordia, 78S 24W, 84S 26W and 75S 70W). We encourage and seek to promote development of further sites, particularly in the northern polar regions. A model of the global circuit is being developed that incorporates spatially and temporally varying global ion production due to the solar wind modulation of galactic cosmic rays, globally varying tropospheric and stratospheric aerosol concentrations and ion production in the stratosphere from relativistic electron precipitation and solar energetic particle events. It is also planned to insert the polar-cap potential distribution driven by solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling into this model. We propose to compare the model and measurements to quantify limits on the hypothesis that the geoelectric circuit provides a viable path for a sun-weather linkage. Measurements indicate that the geoelectric circuit is sustained by both thunderstorm activity and electrified clouds. Published evidence exists that global thunderstorm activity has a multiplicative dependency on equatorial temperatures. Simultaneous measurements of the DC circuit and of power in the Schumann resonance bands may provide sensitive independent proxy monitors for both an equatorially-weighted, global temperature and rainfall. Our team includes a scientist making mid-latitude ELF/VLF measurements recording global lightning activity. We encourage measurements of Schumann resonance power and VLF-lightning data. We propose to determine how accurately our measurements can be used as proxy monitors, and to provide an accurate reference measurement of the geoelectric circuit in the IPY era. Ground-based geoelectric instrumentation on the Antarctic Plateau has recently been used to confirm that broad-scale polar convection potentials can be measured independent of the existence of ionization or irregularities. We propose to use our multiple polar-plateau geoelectric field measurements to contribute to the understanding and monitoring of polar convection. Most of our team are actively involved in enthusing students and educating the public. The geoelectric circuit with its link to thunderstorms, sprites, monitoring climate change and a sun-weather hypothesis provides considerable scope for such activities. Polar convection studies additionally provide a neat link of this proposed IPY activity with the geophysical focus of the IGY.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Provide quantifiable limits on the hypothesis that the geoelectric circuit provides a viable path for a sun-weather linkage (Themes 3 & 2: Global linkages & Change).Provide an accurate reference measurement of the geoelectric circuit for the IPY era (Theme 1: Status).Investigate the extent to which polar measurements of the geoelectric circuit provide a sensitive proxy for an equatorially weighted, global temperature and rainfall & provide insights on polar convection processes (Themes 4 & 5: New Frontiers & Vantage Point)

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
American, Russian, Australian and British scientists are associated with this proposal. These nations are involved in equipment development, scientific analysis, and/or logistics support. Additionally, measurements are proposed at Concordia (French/Italian station). There is scientific scope, and our encouragement, for further international involvement.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Vostok (78°S, 106°E); South Pole (90°S); Concordia (75°S, 123°E); British Antarctic Survey scheduled field sites (78°S, 24°W; 84°S, 26°W & 75°S, 70°W).Other sites encouraged.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 03/2007 to 03/2009      We desire to have our observations extend over as much of the March 2007 to March 2009 IPY timeframe as possible      
Antarctic: 03/2007-03/2009      We desire to have our observations extend over as much of the March 2007 to March 2009 IPY timeframe as possible      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
An estimate: Air access, power (~300 watts), accommodation for an installation team (2 people, 10 days) and ~ 1 day per month of technical support is required for each of the sites. We will generally be a small imposition on, and not a driver of, station logistics.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
This project provides an additional scientific justification for costly polar ice-cap stations. We hope a legacy will be maintenance of our instruments at some polar plateau sites to measure variations in the global circuit across a solar cycle …and longer if the climate proxy validity of the measurements is established.

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

We will apply for resources and logistics within our national programs (and of other nations), and coordinate our activities where appropriate. Some aspects are already underway.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes, Some aspects have been approved under (Australian) ASAC 974 [Instruments developed; some logistics deployment supported]. Russia supports operations at Vostok on an on-going basis. The British component of this proposal has recently received support under their latest 5-year program. A request for support for South Pole operations has been submitted to NSF (US) and is in the process of being considered by the US National Committee for the 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

Some aspects of this proposal have been planned (and funded), but we wish to use IPY endorsement to expand the program, achieve greater coordination and publicity for our research, and encourage other nations and scientists to join the project.

How will the project be organised and managed?
We will organise and manage the project principally via email contact (updates of progress; coordinate research) and meeting up at international conferences when we are presenting results. Individual scientists will be responsible for the coordination and funding of research and logistics activities within their national polar programs. There will be close cooperation between Australia, the US and the UK regarding instrument design and development to ensure consistency of measurement.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We intend promoting this research by developing educational outreach to the public via web-based information. We will promote our research using public lectures.The geoelectric circuit with its link to thunderstorms, sprites, monitoring climate change, a sun-weather hypothesis and the study of polar-convection processes provides considerable scope for such activities.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All the scientists (&/or nations) presently involved in this project have web-based systems, and established requirements for, providing access to both raw and processed data. We will advertise access to the entire data set from within each of these systems.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We will individually and collectively seek funding from national research funding agencies. Some funding has already been obtained, some applications have been submitted and are under review, and further applications will be made.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Measurements at additional sites would enhance this project. Some instruments which would provide measurements of interest to this project are relatively cheap to construct, but would have to be funded by the nations or scientists willing to join us. The major expense is providing the station at which measurements can be made. Those nations which have such facilities and scientists with an interest in this field of research, are encouraged to participate. We have commenced the process of soliciting interest in this project. Our project has expanded since our initial interest in IPY endorsement was submitted.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Gary Burns
Australian Antarctic Divison
203 Channel Highway
Kingston, Tasmania
7050
Australia

Tel: 61-3-623381
Mobile: no
Fax: 61-3-62323496
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation