Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Glacial Meltwater and the Sedimentary Architecture of High-Latitude Continental Margins  (GLAMAR)

Outline
Ice sheets have repeatedly expanded across the continental margins of the northern and southern hemispheres, their advance limited by a combination of iceberg calving and, where ice was temperate, melting. Meltwater has a critical influence on the dynamics of both ice and sediment, due to the role of subglacial drainage in the processes of basal deformation and the transport of different sediments (sorted vs unsorted) to the ice margin. The release of meltwater from ice sheets grounded on continental shelves to the oceans is known to influence current circulation, but its consequences for sediment delivery to the slope and rise has received surprisingly little attention. However, gross latitudinal variations in seabed and stratal architecture have been noted on the eastern Canadian margin that are consistent with a southward increase in glaciofluvial processes, and comparable changes are evident on the NW European margin. This project seeks to undertake a comparative analysis of the North Atlantic glaciated margins, in order to evaluate the impact of latitudinal variability in the processes of meltwater drainage; and to apply the results to possible temporal and/or spatial variability in meltwater supply on the Antarctic continental margin. The overall objective is to test the hypothesis that variations in meltwater discharge from ice sheets, linked to processes of subglacial deformation and the supply of sediment and water to ice margins, may find expression in the morphological and sedimentary records of glaciated continental shelves, slopes and rises. Specific activities are to include: 1. modelling the first-order mass balance of a marine ice sheet along a continental margin, in order to constrain the latitudinal variation in meltwater supply 2. acquisition of data from targeted areas where glaciofluvial supply of sediment and water to the North Atlantic are known or likely to have been important (e.g. the Irish/UK margins, SE Canada) 3. comparative analysis of the morpho-stratigraphic development of the North Atlantic margins in response to the late Quaternary (=0.7 Ma) expansion of continental glaciation, with focus on subglacial drainage pathways on the shelves and their relations to the development of trough-mouth fans versus canyons on continental slopes and rises 4. application of the results from the North Atlantic margins to parts of the Antarctic margin, in order to assess whether spatial and/or temporal variability in meltwater supply have been significant in its late Cenozoic evolution. The project thus pursues a process-based approach to the glaciation of continental margins, seeking to link a theoretical understanding of subglacial sediment dynamics to observable sedimentary records. The results would have implications for our understanding of the interactions of ice sheets with the continental margins over the timescales of glacial/interglacial climatic change, when polar conditions have repeatedly extended to lower latitudes.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The project addresses one of the major questions of Theme 2, how has the planet responded to past multiple glacial cycles, through a process-based analysis of meltwater as a component of ice sheet systems. The project is relevant to Theme 3 by seeking to advance our understanding of the nature of change during past cycles of glaciation, when ‘polar’ conditions extended to lower latitudes. In addition, the project is relevant to Theme 4 and the frontiers ‘at the intersection of disciplines’, by attempting to link a theoretical understanding of subglacial processes to large-scale sedimentary records of changes in proglacial (deep-water) sediment systems.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project was inspired by work undertaken during the EC-FP5 project STRATAGEM (Stratigraphy of the Glaciated European Margin) and involves some scientists from that project as well as new participants with interests in the glaciation of continental margins in the northern and southern hemispheres. The project involves researchers from five nations: Canada, Ireland, UK, Norway, Italy.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The primary focus is on the North Atlantic margins of eastern Canada, Greenland and NW Europe, with interest in comparing the lower latitudes of eastern Canada and Ireland/UK where glaciofluvial processes were more important. The secondary focus is on selected areas of the Antarctic margins, notably the Antarctic Peninsula margin where high rates of precipitation give rise to dynamic glacial systems.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/2007 – 09/2007      06/2008 – 09/2008      
Antarctic: 12/2007 – 03/2008      12/2008 – 03/2009      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Ocean-going research vessels to acquire shallow marine geoscience data (seismic reflection profiles, swath bathymetric imagery, cores). North Atlantic field activities could be shared with other IPY projects (e.g. POLARGATES, NICE-STREAMS) and, on the Irish margin, coordinated with the National Seabed Survey. Antarctic field activities to be coordinated with IPY project COMBINE and projects of the Italian National Agency (PNRA), including ASSO and the recently submitted TEM-PO.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No (rather a legacy of data).

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

North Atlantic operations to be undertaken through national geological surveys, e.g. of Ireland (National Seabed Survey), Canada, UK or Norway and via the Italian National Antarctic Agency (PNRA), which is also interested in northern hemisphere operations and will be the logistical focus for Antarctic activities.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Ireland has not established a National IPY Committee, but is a National Scientific Member of the ICSU via the Royal Irish Academy (www.ria.ie) and the RIA is aware of applications to the IPY through contacts with UCD. In addition, the GLAMAR has been endorsed by the Italian 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?
New

The North Atlantic elements of the project represent an autonomous proposal (an Irish contribution to the IPY, idea 242); the Antarctic elements are linked to a recently submitted proposal to the Italian national polar agency (PNRA), called TEM-PO.

How will the project be organised and managed?
A Project Co-ordinator will be responsible for organising the various activities of modelling, data compilation, acquisition and analysis into work packages, each under the responsibility of a national leader. Progress will be monitored via regular communications and meetings (following the general model of STRATAGEM). North Atlantic (and possibly Antarctic) field activities will benefit from the existing management structures of the Italian National Agency (PNRA) and OGS.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The research interests of the project are at a level appropriate to young/potential researchers (PhDs or postdocs), whose participation will be encouraged. A website will be set up to promote wider public access to the project. In common with other IPY projects at OGS, outreach and education activies will be pursued in cooperation with the Italian National Museum of the Antarctic in Trieste.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
GIS-style database system to organise geophysical and geological information, to be made available via internet and to ICSU World Data Centres.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding for the international project structure will be sought through EU or ESF initiatives, funding for research and field activities will be pursued through national marine geoscience bodies (Ireland, UK, Norway, Canada) and/or polar programmes (e.g. PNRA, Italy).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This proposal is coherent with the bi-polar theme of the IPY by comparing the processes and products of the glaciation of continental margins in both hemispheres and, in doing so, seeks to help bridge a longstanding gap in direct communications between glacial geological research in the northern vs southern hemispheres.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Daniel PRAEG
Belfield Campus, Dublin 4, IRELAND
[now at: Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e Geofisica Sperimentale,(OGS), Borgo Grotta Gigante 42/C, Sgonico, 34010 Trieste, ITALY]

Italy

Tel: +39 040 214 0340
Mobile: no
Fax: +39 040 327 307
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation