Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Evaluation of final export of carbon and other bioactive suspended and dissolved elements to the Arctic based on detailed modern hydrological (ADCP and CTD) and water chemistry study of Lena and Mackenzie Deltas  (Carbon and nutrients export to the Arctic Ocean via Siberian and North American Rivers)

Outline
In this research we propose to combine a modern hydrologic calibration study of deltas of the Lena and Mackenzie Rivers using Acoustic Doppler Currents Profilers (ADCP) and CTD instruments, and detailed water and suspended matter sampling and chemical analyses to understand the role of deltas on final export of water, carbon, other bioactive suspended and dissolved elements and pollutants to the Arctic. This research will reduce uncertainties about carbon cycle in this very important and very sensitive to human impact and climatic changes region of the Earth and will provide important revised data about present day export, sink and storage of carbon at Arctic margins including seasonal aspects. Proposed research will document and provide new revised data about modern carbon and nutrients export from Lena and Mackenzie Rivers and clearly show estuaries control of land-margin interaction.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
While Siberian and North America rivers play a key role in freshwater, suspended matter, carbon and nutrients load to the Arctic it is important to determine the real final export of these components and effect of estuaries and deltas on this process. However, our modern knowledge about this topic is incomplete widely and especially for the Arctic margins with biggest marginal seas. This gape limited our capability to understand of hydrologic and carbon cycles in the Arctic and produce uncertainties about carbon fluxes, sink and storage.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia Institute Geochemistry, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Lena River Delta, Russia and Mackenzie River Delta, Canada

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 01/2007-12/2008            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Existing field stations: at Tiksi and Samoilov Island of Lena Delta, Russia and Arctic Red River Station, Canada. During our work on river’s terminations it will be necessary to use ship and helicopter.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Yes

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

To perform field work in Canada and Russia we will request logistic support via NSF from VECO Polar Resources.. We also plan to use our well-established connections with the Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences to organize and perform the field work in Russia.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
not yet

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?
Exp

We have 3 year NSF (2003-2005) proposal “History of Lena River Discharge”. However, in new proposal we plan to extend our research focusing on new aspects and also on new object -Mackenzie River that also have huge delta but that supply 10 time more suspended matter then Lena River

How will the project be organised and managed?
To perform field work in Canada and Russia we will request logistic support from VECO Polar Resources that conducted very good support for field work. We also will use our well-established connections with the Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences to organize and perform the field work in Russia.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Wide involving of graduate and undergraduate students to research and its training will provide additional educational aspect. Broader impact of proposed activates on society is related with collaboration and wide interaction with local officials and native communities in Russia and Canada

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Current information about project will be posted in University and CHAMP websites. All collected data will be transferred to the ARCSS Data Coordination Center at the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We plan submit proposal via NSF Office Polar Program

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Eugene Karabanov
701 Sumter Street, Geology Dept., University of South Carolina,
Columbia, SC
29208
USA

Tel: 803-777-7668
Mobile: no
Fax: 803-777-6610
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation