Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Antarctic subglacial processes and interactions  (ASPI)

Outline
The ASPI objectives are to clarify the interactions between the ice sheet and the subglacial environment, to elucidate the effect of these interactions on the transient behaviour of the Antarctic ice sheet with changing climate, and to understand the ice flow complexity involved so that paleo-records (ice cores, erosional imprints and sedimentary remnants on the Antarctic shelves) can be better understood and interpreted more accurately. ASPI seeks to investigate subglacial processes and interactions with the ice sheet, through a multidisciplinary approach. This comprises numerical ice-sheet modelling, ice-core analysis and continental shelf investigations. Such multidisciplinary approach will facilitate the glaciodynamic study of the subglacial interface in its broad sense, such as interactions with subglacial and proglacial lakes, basal hydrology, ice streams, grounding line dynamics, and the imprints (erosional) and remnants (glacial sedimentation) of past basal ice presences on the continental shelves. All these summed-up interfaces are characterized by a distinct transition zone between different types of ice flow and result in complex dynamical systems that have an impact on the global behaviour of ice sheets, ice drainage and global sea-level changes. Recent investigations show that inland ice flow is much more complex than previously thought: enhanced ice flow penetrates far inland, associated with onsets of fast and/or complex ice flow. Ice analysis from cold-based glaciers shows that water freezing can play a major role in the formation and deformation of the basal ice layers despite the low temperature of their base. Enhanced ice flow is the result of a dynamical interaction of the ice sheet with subglacial processes such as basal melting and refreezing, subglacial sediment deformation, subglacial hydrology and the presence of weak spots within the basal substrate. Therefore, ASPI envisages the development, refinement and application of higher-order thermomechanical ice sheet models. Modelling will focus on the interaction of the ice sheet with subglacial lakes, the representation of grounding line motion in ice sheet models, and the influence of enhanced ice flow on the stability of the ice sheet. Basal ice cores of will be retrieved and analysed on their ionic, gas and isotopic composition, and crystal fabrics and texture. Some of these cores will come from the Dry Valleys area. Interpretation of results from other deep ice cores (such as Vostok ice core) in combination with ice-sheet and isotopic modelling will add to a better understanding of the processes linked with subglacial lake interactions. Seismic and bathymetric investigations in combination with ice-sheet modelling will be carried out on the continental shelf in areas close to the edge of the ice sheet (grounding lines) and in areas previously (i.e. during the LGM) covered by the ice sheet. The collaborating teams are many years involved in the development and application of ice-sheet models that also cope with complex ice flow, in the analysis of the basal ice sequence of all major deep ice-core drillings from Greenland and Antarctica, and in high-resolution geophysical studies of the morphology, internal structure and evolution of Antarctic continental shelves and margins. In the latter context a ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) has been purchased that allows for in situ sampling of the continental shelf in the vicinity of grounding lines.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project is multidisciplinary and aims at a better understanding of the current state of the polar environment through identification of the processes and interactions at subglacial level (Theme 1). Understanding these processes and interactions will lead to a quantification of the change of the ice sheet through the modelling effort (Theme 2). Subglacial interactions are not only restricted to the Antarctic ice sheet, but are common in all ice masses and – on a different scale – glaciers around the world (Theme 3). Finally, the subglacial environment, and subglacial lakes in particular, are considered to be new frontiers, especially with respect to exploration (Theme 4). The use of ROVs falls also within this theme.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Direct international collaboration is envisaged with people involved in complex ice-sheet modelling and grounding line interactions (UK), ice core analysis (France), basal ice investigation from subglacial tunnels (NZ), and geophysical mapping (Spain). The ASPI proposal forms the Belgian contribution to SALE-UNITED (Subglacial Antarctic Lake Environments – Unified International Team for Exploration and Discovery) and is linked to other IPY proposals, such as FRANSYS (Framework for Antarctic System Simulation), ASEP (Amundsen Sea Embayment Plan) and DECIFURES (Dating and detecting change in ice-flow using radar echo sounding).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
One part of the field work will be carried out near a small ice shelf with easy access to the grounding line. At present no definite idea of this zone is given (depending on ship time and availability), but the Antarctic Peninsula is a possibility. Another part of the field work is concentrated in the Dry Valleys region, East Antarctica, where ice from surface cores and subglacial tunnels will be sampled.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: Nov 2007 – Feb 2008      Nov 2008 – Feb 2009      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
As is the case with all other projects (outside IPY) that fall within the Belgian Antarctic Research Programme, participation in other expeditions will be organized with the collaborating countries. Major resources will go to the deployment of the ROV, for which ship access is necessary.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Submitted to Belgian IPY committee

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

The IPY proposal forms part of the four-year ASPI project that will be launched in 2005 and which makes part of the Belgian Antarctic Research Programme. The IPY part of this project is a culmination of the efforts of the starting years of the project and will involve a broader internationally concerted effort.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed from within the ASPI project of the Belgian Antarctic Research Programme. This management structure leads to a good communication between all partners of the financed project and collaborators in a broader sense. A project website will facilitate the communication and data transfer.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The funding agencies, such as the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO) already require education and outreach activities and are evaluated in part on societal benefit. The IPY will lead to a greater concertation of outreach efforts.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All data obtained from projects within the Belgian Antarctic Research Programme are archived and managed within the Belgian Antarctic Programme Meta-database of the Belgian Science Policy Office and – if required – linked to other international databases with respect to Antarctic research

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project – at least the Belgian partners – will primarily be funded by the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO) within the framework of the new Scientific Support Plan for a Sustainable Development Policy (SPSD III) for the period 2005 – 2009 (Belgian Antarctic Research Programme).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Frank PATTYN
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Pleinlaan 2
B-1050 Brussels
B1050
Belgium

Tel: +32 2 629 33 84
Mobile: no
Fax: +32 2 629 33 78
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation