Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Ambient UV radiation in polar regions under changing climate conditions  (AUVRUC)

Outline
Depletion of stratospheric ozone in polar regions, commonly known as the ozone hole, has greatly enhanced harmful UV radiation in the affected areas at times of the year when ecosystems are vulnerable. Further changes of the UV radiation as well as the visible and infrared parts of the solar spectrum are expected as a result of climate change. The aim of this project is the investigation of specific solar radiation conditions in polar regions, both in the Arctic and Antarctica. Radiation environments in polar regions differ from those of other areas of the Earth mainly due to the extremely high ground reflectivity (albedo). Relatively low cloud optical depths in the ultraviolet part of the spectrum and significant ozone depletion further contribute to rather diverse radiation conditions. A detailed investigation of the radiation climate and its geographical variations will improve the understanding of the impact of climate change and ozone depletion in polar regions. The planned investigations will be achieved by a combination of measurements taken by well-maintained instruments that are in operation for many years at several polar stations, by new instruments installed during the IPY, and by specific campaign measurements that will complement existing long-term observations. These studies will comprise routine measurements at stations operated by several nations, studies of the ice-albedo feedback mechanisms that are closely linked with climate change and studies on the angular dependence of UV radiation. This research shall be of practical use for people living in polar regions.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The current state of the polar UV environment is characterized -The changes of radiation in the polar regions are studied -The global linkages to climate change and ozone depletion are studied -The societies living in polar regions are informed about actual UV levels

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The characterisation of the radiation conditions in polar regions can only be achieved by an international collaboration at a wide range of stations distributed over the polar regions and by applying different methods developed and provided by several nations. Included are also nations not traditionally involved in polar research.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The stations named here are examples only, additional locations are expected to be added: Antarctica: Neumayer Station (Germany), Scott Base Station (New Zealand), Troll Station (Norway), South Pole Station (USA), McMurdo Station (USA), Palmer Station (USA). Arctic: Greenland (Denmark): Summit Camp, Koldewey Station (Germany), Spitsbergen: Svalbard (Norway), Ny-Ålesund Station (Norway), Andenes Station (Norway), Sodankylä (Finland), Jokioinen (Finland), Reykjavik (Iceland), Alaska: Barrow (USA).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 04/07 – 09/07      04/08 – 09/08      
Antarctic: 09/07 – 03/08      09/08 – 03/09      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Transport of personnel and equipment to several already established stations: ice-breaker and/or transport aircraft. Deployment of the equipment during the measurement campaigns near the station by snow terrain vehicles. Allocation of instrument operators during the campaigns. Access to simultaneous satellites data.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
We expect that activities initiated by the IPY will lead to permanent high-quality measurement programmes in both polar regions that will complement the existing records of long-term UV radiation measurements, and we hope that several stations that are not yet part of the NDSC network will apply for NDSC affiliation during or after IPY.

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

Many of the resources are already covered by ongoing national programmes. However for specific measurements and investigations additional support from national and international (European Commission) funding agencies will be asked for.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes The project has been endorsed by NDSC and by the German National IPY Commity. Additionally, significant components of the programme are endorsed and already in place since many years.

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?
New

There also are a lot of existing activities, i.e.: National Science Foundation´s UV Monitoring Network (NSF), USA German Research Society (DFG), Germany

How will the project be organised and managed?
Researchers are already working together since many years. Project management will be achieved by the University of Hannover. The management will be supported by international organisations like WMO-GAW (the coordinator is chairman of the UV instrumentation group for UV monitoring and member of the GAW scientific advisory group) and by the Network of Stratospheric Change (NDSC), which has endorsed this proposal.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project will establish a web portal for communicating to the public the project activities, results and consequences for the polar regions and global climate. An educational portal for lower graduates will contain links to project relevant information

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The NDSC database; the WMO World ozone and UV database (WOUDC), the European UV database (EUVDB)

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Mainly national funding, e.g. by National Science foundation (USA), DFG (Germany), FMI (Finland), DMI (Denmark), … International funding: it is hoped that the European Commission contributes to the funding, but it has not yet decided on supporting IPY in general

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
There are many more scientist and nations already involved in polar UV research, that are willing to contribute to this project, including countries not tradiationally involved in polar research (i.e., Greece). The persons given under 4.2. are ready to act as focal points for the much larger UV community that is able and willing to contribute to polar research. For example the coordinator of this proposal (University of Hannover (UHAN)) will work in close collaboration with the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) in Germany, e.g. Prof.Dr.Schrems.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Pro Gunther Seckmeyer
University of Hannover
Herrenhaeuser Str. 2
Hannover
D-30419
Germany

Tel: +49 511 762 4022
Mobile: no
Fax: +49 511 762 4418
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation