Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Transport pathways and circulation within the Canadian Basin of the Arctic Ocean.  (Canadian Basin Circulation)

Outline
The Canadian Basin of the Arctic Ocean (comprising the Beaufort Sea, the Canada Basin, the Makarov Basin, and the intervening ridges) is the least understood region of the Arctic Ocean. Between 1950 and 1990 Russian activities made substantial observations in the area, however, owing to the extreme logistically challenges of working the region, modern measurements are sparse and generally biased towards the summer and autumn seasons, and only few year-round (usually moored) records exist. In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in observational work (by the US, Canada and Japan) in the Chukchi Borderland region, the southern Canada Basin, and the Beaufort slope. The focus of our IPY proposal is to bring together the various on-going national programs in the area, and supplement these individual projects with further international observations (especially moored arrays). This activity will: (1) generate a reasonably comprehensive survey of the Canadian Basin during the IPY and (2) establish the basis for an efficient and effective long-term observation system. There are believed to be two major trans-Arctic ocean pathways - the upper layer flow of ice, Pacific and halocline waters from the Bering Strait region out to the Canadian Archipelago and Fram Strait; and the sluggish, cyclonic, circum-Arctic flow of Atlantic waters from the Fram Strait, around the basin edges and along the major ridges back eventually to the Fram Strait in the Arctic Ocean Boundary Current. The deep basins are comparatively quiescent, with the exception of strong flows found in eddies, which may be important mechanisms for transport into the ocean’s interior. Small scale mixing structures (e.g. the Atlantic water step-layers) may also be significant. Based on this picture of the Arctic and in line with internationally debated programs such as SEARCH, I-AOOS, WCRP and others, our IPY plan for the Canadian Basin proposes several study areas, at key points in the boundary current and within the deep basins. These areas would be investigated using multidisciplinary moored arrays, hydrographic surveys, combined with biogeochemical tracer work. Whilst some parts of this network already exist, e.g. Beaufort Gyre (US), Chukchi Borderlands and Beaufort Slope (Canada and Japan), eastern Beaufort (US), the new challenges will be in the less accessible regions, especially between the Mendeleev Ridge and the Chukchi Borderland, north of the Canadian Archipelago, the Lincoln Sea, and the Makarov Basin.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The project will provide:- a significantly improved understanding of the circulation of the Canadian Basin of the Arctic Ocean- the ground work for an effective and efficient observational program for understanding climate change in the Canadian Basin- the basis for interaction and collaboration between various international partners in Arctic research- a logistics framework for interdisciplinary studies in the region

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Subject to funding, this project will interact with researchers and projects from many countries, including the US, Canada, Japan, Scandinavia, Russia and China

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
- various regions within the Canadian Basin

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
- ice-breakers for hydrographic surveys and mooring operations- aircraft for mooring logistics can be accomplished from land stations such as Alert.- some mooring equipment

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Yes- the results will provide a basis for a long-term observational strategy for the Canadian Basin.- the proposal will bring together various projects within the Canadian Basin, building collaboration between international groups.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The work we propose here addresses issues that have been internationally debated by groups such as SEARCH, I-AOOS and WCRP. All US EoI are in the process of being considered by the US National Committee for IPY.

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?


This project is a combination of on-going work (e.g. observations in Beaufort Gyre (US), Chukchi Borderlands and Beaufort Slope (Canada and Japan), eastern Beaufort (US)) and new proposals, (e.g. between the Mendeleev Ridge and the Chukchi Borderland, north of the Canadian Archipelago, the Lincoln Sea, and the Makarov Basin).

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project is made up of several, separately funded proposals. Lead PIs will be responsible for their own parts of the work, and will work together for coordination between projects, including most optimizing use of logistics and coordinating data collaboration.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Field work offers a marvellous opportunity to engage the public via teacher and student participation and various general websites. We will seek meaningful involvement of Inuit, Inuvialuit and Inupiat. In addition, the project will strengthen and broaden links between international groups working in the region.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data will be archived in line with national guidelines. e.g. for US data, via the National Ocean Data Centers and additionally also through websites.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Some parts of the project are already funded. Individual proposals will be submitted to national funding agencies for the various regional parts of the project.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This work is synergistic with several other IPY projects, including those from SEARCH (Study of Environmental Arctic Change), I-AOOS, WCRP-CliC, ASOF. In addition, we anticipate close collaboration with the IPY projects Nordic-LSBI (Anderson et al.) and MAOS (Polyakov et al.).

PROPOSER DETAILS

Senior Oceanographer Rebecca Woodgate
University of Washington
1013 NE 40th Street
Seattle WA
98105
USA

Tel: 206-221-3268
Mobile: no
Fax: 206-616-3142
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation