Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Sediment Flux Study in East Antarctica  (SEFLUXSEA)

Outline
The research are focused on sediment flux and its separate components in coastal waters and lakes of East Antarctica and also on biogeochemical transformation of this material on its pathways between atmosphere - ice cover - water column - bottom sediment taking into consideration an anthropogenic impact.During seasonal works collecting of freely settling in a water column material will be carried out with the help of sediment traps developed in P.P.Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Science (IORAS) and in other research institutions. Current metes propose to be deployed near the sediment traps to estimate horizontal transport of particles. Simultaneous sampling of aerosols, snow and ice cores will enable us to evaluate material flux coming down from the atmosphere on snow cover and further down to under-ice waters. From horizons of the sediment traps deployment the sea and lake water will be taken also. This study will be accompanied by bottom sediment and benthos collecting to trace the further biogeochemical transformation of the material after it has rested on bottom. All received material will be studied in IORAS and other Russian and international scientific organizations. Mineralogical, chemical radiochemical and biological analyses will be fulfilled with the purpose of dissolved and particulate forms of elements determination, including heavy metals, total organic matter and its components and other kinds of natural substances and pollutions.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Studying of the sediment flux its components: Corg, minerals, chemical elements, and various pollutions is a new quantitative method of sedimentology and geochemistry (the second generation monitoring). Such approach has exclusively great value for understanding of processes dynamics in Antarctica. An accomplishment of these pioneer works will enable to estimate vertical fluxes and horizontal transport of both natural and anthropogenic substance in Antarctica, participation in this process of aeolian and ice transport, tracking the further destiny of the material in bottom sediments under influence of organisms and biogeochemical processes on a water - sediment interface.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
German scientists from AWI, GEOMAR and other institutes will probably participate. Scientists from Australia, USA, New Zealand, China and from other countries who are interested in flux studying are also invited.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Sector of East Antarctica between 70oE and 80oE. Russian station “Progress”, Prydz Bay, Princess Elisabeth Land.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: Summer season: 12/2007-04/2008            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Ice strengthened research ship (Akademik Fedorov, Polarstern etc.), Ship deployment and recovery of buoys, Helicopters, Snow terrain vehicles, Existing field stations, Ice drilling capability.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
National agency
Own support

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?
New

IORAS carried out short-term biogeochemical researches in Antarctica earlier in 2001- 46 RAE (Russian Antarctic Expedition) and in 2003 - 48 RAE. The project can be considered as a part of IMBER (Integrated Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research) international project

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be prepared, organized and managed at a national level at constant coordination with plans of realization of above mentioned international and other national projects (IMBER, JGOFS, etc.) For better coordination a management structure will be established with Russian and international participants.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Results will be submitted in reports, publications and video and can be used in the educational purposes and for popularization of the newest scientific concepts. Young scientists will be involved in collecting and classification of primary materials and further processing in digital formats. q3_4_Data : The received data, after processing and the publication of the basic results of researches, will be integrated into the international databanks as agreed with the countries (organizations) which are carrying out similar researches in the Antarctic waters and on the Antarctic continent.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The received data, after processing and the publication of the basic results of researches, will be integrated into the international databanks as agreed with the countries (organizations) which are carrying out similar researches in the Antarctic waters

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project suppose to be funded by Russian Academy of Sciences and Russian Ministry for science and education.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Sergei Tambiev
P.P.Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of Russian Academy of Sciences (IORAS)
36 Nakhimovsky Prospekt,
Moscow
117997
Russia

Tel: +7-095 1292145
Mobile: no
Fax: +7-095 1245983
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation