Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Assessment of the global change manifestation in the Arctic Ocean and sea ice  (Arctic Ocean and Global Change)

Outline
Organization of working meetings on coordination and planning.Execution of joint hydrological and sea ice observations in the Arctic Basin and adjusting offshore waters of the Northern Seas, the Baffin Bay and the north Atlantic in summer.Carrying out of sea ice – hydrological airborne survey of the Arctic Basin in the winter – spring time.Execution of direct measurements of sea ice thickness and related parameters in the Arctic Basin during large-scale in the winter – spring and summer surveys.Satellite observations of sea ice state in the Arctic Basin during sea ice – hydrological observations.Construction of the detail sea ice drift charts using additional information from ARGOS buoys deployed in the Arctic Basin.Compilation of composite ice maps of the Arctic Ocean of 5 -7 days discreteness with data of all countries, participating in IPY.Obtaining of accurate estimations of climate change in sea ice – hydrological state of the Arctic Basin and the arctic seas in 2007/2008 relative to 1950 – 1970, the years the most extensively studied in the past, and establishment the relation of such change with global changes having natural or anthropogenic nature.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Due to coordinated large-scale surveys the first reliable estimations of changes in the sea ice and ocean conditions in the Arctic during global warming of 1990s – 2000s will be obtained. It will give new insight to its origin and the consequence for environment, estimations of influence the polar climate to global, as well as will give necessary information for development of prognostic models

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Project could be realized in framework of active international collaboration in field investigations (carrying out of sea ice – hydrological airborne survey of the Arctic Basin in the winter – spring time, and summer survey using ice-breakers in the Arctic Basin and ordinary research vessels in adjusting ice free parts of the arctic seas).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The Arctic Basin and adjusting offshore waters of the Northern Seas, the Baffin Bay and the north Atlantic.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: Summer2007 and spring 2008            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Surface ships (icebreakers & conventional), drifting stations, helicopters and airplanes, satellites. Must be shareable with other projects, related to investigations in the Arctic Ocean.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The experience of complex international large-scale observations in the Arctic Basin will be used for organization of climatic monitoring in future.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project merits such support because. It satisfies to the goals of many executed or planning national and international projects (SEARCH, ASOF, CLIC, CLIVAR etc)

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

It is new project

How will the project be organised and managed?
It is assumed the participation in the project of countries, conducted investigations in the Arctic Ocean in framework of national and international projects and intentional to continue investigations during IPY. The project will unite and direct joint efforts to execute large-scale observations, which could not be realized without such unity. Organization of the project supposes the development of scheme of observations, accounting the goals of the project, logistic possibilities and interests of participants, as well as using of experience of similar large-scale observations, fulfillment in 1970s. It should be confirmed by all participants of the project. It will be governed by established national governed groups and project governed group in AARI, coordinating the realization of the project by participants.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The young scientists, PhD students and graduate students of Universities and research institutes will be involved to project, from field observations to data proceedings. The goals and tasks of the project, its importance for science and society will be wide covered by all information agencies and scientific publications. The existing vehicles for communications will be used for governing of the project and data collection.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Initial data will be collected by participants, executing their part of the project. After control, calibration and preliminary data proceeding the data will be transferred to other participants and to the national data centers.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The national funding sources are supposed for participation in the project, as well as from united financial funds on the concurs base.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Director of AARI Ivan Frolov
Arctic&Antarctic Research Institute (AARI, Russian Hydrometeorological Service)
Bering St. 38, Saint-Petersburg
199397
Russia

Tel: 8-812 3521520
Mobile: no
Fax: 8-812 3522688
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation