Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Geomorphological Archives as indicators for Quaternary climate change in NE Siberia: aeolian and glacial deposits  (GEOARCS)

Outline
The proposed research programme contributes to the understanding of Arctic climate and environmental variability in the last 300 000 a. The main focus is the linkage between glacigenic and aeolian deposits, which are key archives for understanding long term climatic variations in the NE-Siberia. Aeolian and glacicenic deposits are well know archives in many parts of the world. In the area of NE-Siberia only little research has been done on these topics. However aeolian sediments are widespread in central and northern Yakutia. In the forelands and lower parts of the Verkhoyansk mountain system these deposits are connected to the remnants of Pleistocene glaciations.Despite the extreme continental cold climate in the area around the cold pole of the northern hemisphere glaciations were restricted to the mountain areas. The timing of the glacier advances is still in debate. Only few reliable absolute datings exist, mostly radiocarbon ages. The need for further research is highlighted by the new results from the neighbouring areas like western Siberia (QUEEN-Project) and the Russian Far East.Aeolian sediments covering glacigenic deposits yield the possibility to date the later one (minimum age) beyond the range of radiocarbon. Previous research by the author indicate no major glacier advances between 21-18ka. Instead or that major advances took place in the early part of the last glacial-interglacial cycle. This may bee due to extremely dry conditions in the area during the last global glacial maximum.The region is of particular importance because the area is the westernmost part of northern Eurasia with influence from the Atlantic ocean. Timing of art of climatic changes is important for reconstructing long-term climate evolution of the Northern Hemisphere. Additionally the project will provide important information for future climate modelling.The following items will particularly be addressed:• Timing of deposit of aeolian sediments in central and northern Yakutia, NE Siberia. Comparison of the results with other areas of major aeolian sedimentation.• Timing and extend of glacier advances during the Quaternary and implications for paleoprecipitation and paleotemperature.• Research on recent geomorphological processes to asses possible modification of the studied archives• Supply of proxy data for climate models and their validation.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The main goal of the GEOARCS project is to establish a better understanding of Quaternary environmental changes under the extreme climate of NE Siberia. The project will focus on terrestrial archives and contribute to the IYP themes 1-3.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The GEOARCS project will benefit from cooperation with Russian partners as well as a close connection to other IYP projects in the area Siberia, e.g. SIBLAKE (Lake Records of late Quaternary Climate Variability in northeastern Siberia) and APEX (Arctic Palaeoclimate and its Extremes).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Field work will take place in Central Yakutia (132°E/62°N) and the Verkhoyansk mountain system (128°E/66°N)

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Helicopter transportation and temporary field camps. Resources will be partly shared with the SIBLAKE project.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

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

The logistic will be based on ongoing Russian-German science cooperation between the RWTH Aachen, the AWI Potsdam, the Permafrost Institute Yakutsk and the Diamond and Precious Metal Institute Yakutsk.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?

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?


The project continues previous Russian-German palaeoenvironmental research activities in Yakutia as an individual research programme.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be realized in the scope of ongoing German-Russian science collaboration. It will be coordinated by the RWTH Aachen in co-operation with the AWI Potsdam, the University Yakutsk, the Permafrost Institute Yakutsk and the Diamond and Precious Metal Institute Yakutsk.Joint fieldwork will be carried out during the summer seasons in 2007 and 2008. Partly in cooperation with SIBLAKE Project.Laboratory work will be shared between the German and Russian institutions. Exchange of scientists between the German and Russian institutions is anticipated and workshops and special meetings on international conferences will be held to guarantee the preparation of joint publications and the dissemination of project-related results.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
In the scope of the project, student trainees and young scientists will have the possibility to reach higher qualifications. In addition to field-work reports and international scientific publications, the outcomes of the studies will be introduced to a wider audience through public promotion.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The raised data sets will be made available for the scientific community in the PANGAEA data information system, operated by the AWI Bremerhaven.A website with information about GEOARC will be installed at the RWTH Aachen (perhaps including an ARC-IMS System).

How is it proposed to fund the project?
A proposal of the suggested research programme will be submitted to the German science foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft), to secure funding of the project.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof. Dr. Frank Lehmkuhl
RWTH Aachen University
Templergraben 55
52056 Aachen
Germany

Tel: +49-241-80-96064
Mobile: no
Fax: +49-241-80-92157
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation