Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Pollution of atmospheric precipitation in the Atlantic sector of the Arctic  (POLAP)

Outline
The purpose of POLAP project is to investigate atmospheric long-range transport of pollutants into the Atlantic sector of the Arctic, reaching the Earth surface in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Meteorological data from Svalbard indicate that periods of temperature above zero are longer indicating that more pollutants are reaching ground surface of the polar environment dissolved in water. Research on the chemistry of precipitation (sampled on an event by even basis) will be combined with meteorological data and synoptic maps in order to determine directions of pollutant inflow. The project will make use of a dense network of monitoring stations on Svalbard, Northern Fenno-Scandia and Northwest Russia to examine pollutant history and fallout under a full range of polar conditions by extending the monitoring campaigns for the entire duration of IPY. Existing models of pollutant transport will be tested and modified according to the findings. All inorganicions will be analysed with the aim to divide chemical composition of precipitation into natural (mostly marine) and anthropogenic components. Isotopes of sulphur will be determined in precipitation to confirm the originating anthropogenic sulphate sources areas – Russian, European and North American. Large volume precipitation events will be sampled for organic pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAH, persistent organic pollutants POP). Atmospheric precipitation connected with polluted air tends to be acid and it is important to know how strong is this action on the mobility of heavy metals in the Arctic environment. Samples will be taken in stations located in Svalbard (Hornsund, Longyearben, Barentsburg, Ny Alesund and Kinnvika), and on Arctic islands (Bjornoya, Hopen and Jan Mayen) as well as in stations on the ways of the polluted air transport in northern Scandinavia (Rovaniemi, Tromso, Tarfala). In addition to the data collected during IPY, the station at Hornsund has extensive unpublished records of on-going precipitation chemistry extending back several years. These data will be used to provide a longer time perspective on the more spatially detailed sampling planned for IPY. A significant effort will be made to produce real-time data for the wider community with on-line access to data for researchers in the project, and summaries for the wider public posted frequently on the internet.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The POLAP project will provide data on chemistry of atmospheric precipitation in meteorological stations situated in the Atlantic sector of the Arctic. The location of stations will allow us to study inflow of pollutants from Europe and North America. The new analytical methods used will broaden the range of ions analysed in rainfall and snowfall. Pollutant loads and their transport pathways to this part of the Arctic will be established. These new data completed with some long term data sets (e.g. from Hornsund) will permit to get trends in pollutant concentrations and acidification of precipitation.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
In the POLAP project involved will be: AMAP; Kinnvika Station, Svalbard; Arctic Centre, Rovaniemi, Finland; Norwegian Institute for Air Reasearch (NILU); Norwegian Meteorological Institute (DNMI); Norwegian Polar Institute (NP); Pennsylvania State University, USA; Stockholm University - Tarfala Station, Sweden; Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of Roshydromet, Russia.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Stations on Svalbard: Hornsund, Longyearbyen, Barentsburg, Ny-Ålesund, Kinnvika (Nordaustlandet) and stations on the way of pollutants transport in Scandinavia (Tromsø, Tarfala, Rovaniemi, Björnoya, Hopen, Jan Mayen) and Russia (Kola Peninsula, Kotelny Island, Tiksi, Wrangel Island).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 01/2007 - 12/2009            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
At meteorological stations currently working in Svalbard and at Scandinavian and Russian localities precipitation samples will be taken. Samples from Svalbard stations will be transported by helicopter or research vessels or snow scooters to Hornsund laboratory for analysis. Samples from other stations will be transported by plane to Poland.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Sampling devices for catching rain and snow will be left in meteorological stations after completing the project.

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
Other sources of support

Polish Polar Station in Hornsund, Svalbard operates on a yearly basis and vessels transporting cargo there as well as scooter rides between Longyearbyen and Hornsund will be used for transport of samples and equipment.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Project has been presented at the meeting of Polish participants of 4-IPY in Warsaw and discussed with international partners by e-mail.Project was accepted by the Polish National Committee for 4-IPY 2007-2008 and included in Arctic and Antarctic Research Programme of Poland for 2002-2010.

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

Research on atmospheric precipitation is made in Hornsund, Svalbard since 1988 and the range of analysed pollutants is increasing. POLAP is expanding this research for more locations on Svalbard (5 stations), for the Atlantic sector of the Arctic (3 stations on islands), and northern Scandinavia (3) and Russia (4).

How will the project be organised and managed?
The head office of the project will be at Department of Polar and Marine Research, Institute of Geophysics, Warsaw, Poland. One person will be responsible for logistics connected with transfer of samples. Analyses of Svalbard samples will be made in laboratory in Polish Polar Station in Hornsund. Station manager will be responsible for logistics. The main laboratory will be at the Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Sosnowiec, Poland. Samples from other than Svalbard localities will be analysed there. This laboratory will be also responsible for establishing sampling strategies, analytical requirements and quality assurance protocols.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
To the website of Station in Hornsund, Svalbard the special page on POLAP program will be prepared showing data from sampling sites. Results will be published in scientific journals and presented to the broader public and decision makers. The final scientific publication will be coordinated to “Pole-to-Pole” IPY publication series.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The main data base will be held at the Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia and will be open for all POLAP participants. Rules for accessibility of data and its use for joint publication will be set. An effort will be made to publish results immediately after completing research.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Polish Polar Station in Hornsund has already got funding for existing environmental programme. Projects for EU Framework Programme 7 and EUROPOLAR ERA-NET will be submitted. INTAS funding will be used for Russian station on Kola Peninsula. Each partner will take care for obtaining research funds.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Other projects members are: Prof. Jozef Pacyna from Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Kjeller, Norway, and Dr. Jon Borre Oerbaek – Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromso, Norway.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Piotr GLOWACKI
Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences
ul. Ksiecia Janusza 64
Warszawa
01-452
Poland

Tel: +48-22-6915890
Mobile: +48-605-314338
Fax: +48-22-6915893
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation