Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Present-Day Sea Level Change in the Polar Region: Observations and Characterizations  (Polar Sea Level Change)

Outline
More than 70% of our planet is ocean. Over 38% of the world population lives within 100 km of the coast. Global sea level rise has been widely recognized as one of the consequences of possible anthropogenic effect associated with global climate change and a diverse interdisciplinary scientific and societal problem. Assessment of the contemporary measurements, characterization, projection, impact and potential mitigation of the 20th Century sea level rise has been and is being conducted by Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) in 1993, 2001 and at present (2003–2007). Present-day sea level change in response to global warming involves complicated nonlinear interactions of the solid Earth-ocean-cryosphere-hydrosphere-atmosphere processes. At present, sea level measurements and its characterization in the polar region (Arctic and Antarctic oceans) are much less well studied, primarily because of lack of observations as compared to the rest of the world oceans. It has been widely accepted that the Arctic Ocean is particularly sensitive to climate variability and is in the midst of a major climate, environmental and societal change, including sea ice thinning and its role in a forcing mechanism on climate change, sea level pressure decrease, salinity decrease, temperature increase, diminishing of the cold Halocline layer, and sea level rise in the Russian Seas. The Southern Ocean provides a major link among the world oceans and a link associated with the melting and accumulation of the vast Antarctic ice sheet and the sea ice with intriguing scientific questions and potential consequences. For example, the forcing mechanism of the observed Southern Ocean subsurface layer warming at the inter-decadal and longer time scales is currently unknown. We propose to conduct an interdisciplinary study of measurements, causes and potential prediction of sea level variations in the Arctic and the Antarctic oceans with a temporal scale ranging from hours to seasonal, interannual, decadal, interdecadal and geological. The proposed measurement system will be based on existing and new oceanographic, geophysical, geodetic and glaciological observations (including tide gauges, GPS, ocean bottom pressure gauges, XBTs, gravimeters, buoys, and others) to complement satellite observations (satellite altimeters and gravimeters). We will work with established projects and organizations including SEARCH (Study of Environmental ARctic Change), CLIVAR, SCAR, IOC/GLOSS, IAG, IGS, IAPSO, GOOS, SCAR, and other national and international collaborators, for a coordinated effort and towards establishing a long-term sea level observational system in the polar region.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The proposed project will address the IPY themes to provide an observational system for the current state of the polar region sea level, detect changes in sea level potentially due to climate changes, and the anticipated results benefit studies of climate change involving polar-global teleconnections. The improved understanding in the Arctic and Antarctic sea level change will benefit the assessment of current state of the Arctic and Antarctic climate change and the associated environments for human activities in the Arctic region.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Substantial international collaborations will be available or sought for the project, including IOC/GLOSS, IAG, IGS, IAPSO, CLIVAR, WCRP, GOOS, SCAR, and national space centres responsible for satellite mission data distributions and analyses.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The geographical locations for observational system installations (tide gauges, buoys, GPS, XBTs, gravimeters and others) are in Antarctica continent and in the Arctic region associated with our international collaborators. The field work will involve installation of stations, communication links and other infrastructure.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: TBC            
Antarctic: TBC            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The significant logistic support involves infrastructures already in existence in the polar regions with data communication capability and power.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The legacy of this project will include significant contributions to the existing or planned sea level network in the polar regions. The Arctic network will contribute to Arctic GOOS, GLOSS’ existing and planned network, NOAA’s global sea level observing system, and other national and international programs such as SEARCH (Study of Environmental Arctic Change)

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes. NASA Interdisciplinary Sea Level program, IOC/GLOSS.

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 project contributes to the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS) which was established by IOC in1985, to NOAA’s global sea level observing program, and to other national and international programs, such as SEARCH (Study of Environmental Arctic Change), SCAR.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed as regional activities of GLOSS by the IOC Technical Secretariat and/or under other international organisations of sea level/oceanographic/geophysical/geodetic/polar observations.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
An extensive educational outreach component will include media contacts, web sites, classroom programs, public lectures, and the participation of undergraduate and graduate students. Creative use of improved communication and internet access will bring an unprecedented sense of immediacy from the field to the public.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All data and metadata from the project will be analyzed, archived, and submitted to the established data archives at GLOSS or other sea level/oceanographic/geophysical/geodetic/polar data centers.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project will be funded through submission of new proposals to national funding agencies, including NSF, NASA, NOAA, others.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
There will be many additional supporting investigators and collaborators in this interdisciplinary project. The following list of project members is only a partial list.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof C. K. Shum
470 Hitchcock Hall
2070 Neil Ave.
Columbus, Ohio
43210-1275
USA

Tel: 614-292-7118
Mobile: 614-286-5066
Fax: 614-292-2957
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation