Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Greenland Continuous atmospheric CO2 and O2 monitoring at Cape Farewell.  (GRAAM (GReenland Automatic Atmospheric Monitoring))

Outline
In the context of greenhouse warming, the understanding of the carbon cycle processes and its link with climate is a key element for prediction of our future environment. In order to refine the carbon regional fluxes (source and sink) estimates in the Northern Hemisphere, it is of first interest to refine our knowledge of the key role being played by the ocean and to reduce the uncertainties associated with the oceanic reservoirs. In this regard the Atlantic ocean is of particular interest while situated at the confluence of air masses coming from either North America and/or Europe. Within the framework of the European Carbo-Ocean project we intend to set up an automated instrument to continuously monitor the CO2 and O2 of atmospheric air at Cape Farewell on the southern cost of Greenland. The aim of this new observatory is: - to contribute to the refinement of the spatial resolution of the present day CO2 monitoring network by adding a new continuous station in a large uncovered area; - to estimate the CO2 gradients between North America and Europe - to better constrain the regional flux estimates over Northern Hemisphere - to better understand the role of the Atlantic Ocean in the CO2 cycle. The combined and additional measurement of the O2 parameter with the CO2 will provide us with an additional tracer (APO, Atmospheric Potential Oxygen) which is classically used in the oceanic carbon cycles models. This project will provide valuable data within the ongoing development of data assimilation and inversion models actually done by several groups and in particular in our institute which has a good modelling experience and knowledge. Due to the key geographical situation of Cape Farewell, the collected data could also help to validate or test the atmospheric transport model schemes as well as the carbon-ocean processes taking place at the ocean-atmosphere interface (this will imply a preliminary meteorological data treatment linked with the air masses origins) Finally, the set up of this new station will help us understand and quantify the impact of anthropogenic “pollution” to polar regions and the characteristic transport time of the phenomena (plumes coming either from Europe or North America).

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
At least four mains targets can be outlined: Set up of new CO2 monitoring observatory in an uncovered area (legacy for the future); Acquisition of new data series to be used and added within the worldwide CO2 network; Contribution to a better constrain of carbon regional fluxes in northern latitudes; Contribution to a better understanding of the role of the ocean within the carbon cycle, in particular the Atlantic Ocean.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project is part of the CARBO-Ocean IP project which has been accepted by the EU. It involves more than 14 European and US partners. The instrumental development will be a close collaboration between LSCE (France) and BGC-MPI (Germany). Contacts are also under process with the Danish Polar Centre for field assistance, maintenance of the station and further scientific collaboration.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
We intend to settle down the new station at Cape Farewell, on the southern cost of Greenland. This location is of interest because ideally situated on the coast (of great oceanic influence) and also in the confluence between North American and European air masses, thus enabling studies of both influences, depending on the meteorological conditions.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/2006– 07/2006 set up of the station and CO2 instruments (duration time to be defined more precisely)      06/2007- 07/2007 set up of the O2 instrument and check of observatory (duration time to be defined more precisely)       Regular visits to the station to be defined, at least once a year.
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Our project would benefit of existent buildings where measurements instrument could be installed as well as necessary calibration tanks. This building could be easily shared with other scientific projects. Interpretation of the data would greatly benefit from complementary meteorological data and we would therefore need a weather station at or near the measurement site.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
One of the reasons to set up a continuous and automated instrument is to maintain the instrument all over and after the IPY time period and to acquire long time data series. We aim to include this new station within the worldwide CO2 monitoring network. Therefore the effort made during the IPY will last after the event.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency

Logistical support will be required from the French polar agency (IPEV) as well as collaboration with Danish local agencies for maintenance of the instruments and field trip.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This project is part of the approved Carbo Ocean IP European project which is just beginning (01/01/2005). This project will support the development and tests of the new instruments as well as cooperation facilities between BGC-Jena and LSCE.

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?
Expansion

This project is part of the approved Carbo-Ocean IP European project running over the 2005-2010 time period. Another independent call for logistical and on field support will be asked to the French Polar Institute in 2005 (IPEV)

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project development is already inserted into the Carbo-Ocean schedule, and specific organisation meeting should be settled down with other partners (IPEV, Danish Polar Institute …) for that specific part of the project.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The CO2 data will be part of a global data base (Carbo-Ocean) and accessible. An education project involving IPEV and primary and/or high schools will be settled down and enabling the following of the progress and of the evolution of the project by the students through an interactive webpage at IPEV. Visits/seminars in the schools will be organised by the scientists involved in the project. An automatic data transmission will also enable direct access to the site and data.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The CO2 data will be part of a global data base (Carbo-Ocean) and accessible to the scientific community. Data will also be distributed through the WMO-GAW database. Access and formatting of the data will benefit from the experience of our group, already involved in database transmission and sharing.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Part oPart of the project is already funded through the European Carbo-Ocean project (build up and test of the instrumentation), and additional funding will be asked for to the French National Polar Agency (IPEV), and national foundation CEA/CNRS (logistic and on site support).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This pThis project has been evaluated and is supported by the French National Committee for IPY. The installation of this new station in Greenland will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first atmospheric observatory from Mauna Loa which was settled down in 1957 during the IGY.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Marc DELMOTTE
CE Saclay
L'Orme des merisiers, Bâtiment 701
GIF SUR YVETTE CEDEX
91191
France

Tel: 00 33 1 69 08 95 43
Mobile: no
Fax: 00 33 1 69 08 77 16
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation