Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Weddell and Ross Corridors, Polar Climate Transects; United States Contribution to CASO (Climate in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean)  (Weddell and Ross Corridor Arrays [WRCA])

Outline
CASO represents an ambitious observational plan to explore the essence of the southern polar region’s connection to the global climate system, a goal fitting of an IPY. The US CLIVAR Southern Ocean working group submitted a strategy for an observational plan for both polar region: "Polar Climate Transects” [idea013]. As part of this and as a CASO contribution a US group plans to focus on two broad sectors of the southern polar region: the Weddell Sea [east of Antarctic Peninsula and the Drake Passage to roughly longitude 10°W] and the Ross Sea [longitude range eastward from 150°E to 150°W]. The overall strategy is to observe simultaneously the spatial and temporal variability of the atmosphere, cryosphere and ocean conditions spanning the distance from the Antarctic shores northward across the continental margins and sea ice zone, across the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) into the subantarctic zone. The observational arrays will measure the interdependence of conditions across this broad band of climatic zones and between the two corridors, which are associated with to nodes of climate variability. A central goal is the understanding of the unique linkage of the Southern ocean zonal and meridional overturning circulation to the atmosphere variability; of special interest is the role played by sea ice in this interaction and the telecommunications of polar climate variability to lower latitudes modes of variability. The Weddell Ross Corridor program contributes to CASO themes #1, Antarctica and the Southern Ocean global water cycle; #2, Southern hemisphere teleconnections; and #3, Climate processes at the Antarctic continental margin. The in situ data will serve as a valuable calibration of satellite derived data (visible, infrared, microwave radiometers; laser; altimeter; scatterometer) and allow for evaluation of prior data. Objectives and examples of in situ observation of the various components include: • Atmosphere: To develop a more precise view of sea-air exchange in the presence of sea ice, coastal polynyas, and in the circumpolar belt, through: automatic weather stations; meteorological sensors placed on sea ice and buoys; Flux measurements in boundary layer. • Ocean: To explore the response of the ocean to atmospheric forcing, through: moorings (measure currents, temperature/salinity, bottom pressure) deployed at the glacial ice barrier, outer shelf, upper and lower slope, at sites channelling outflow of dense Antarctic water masses; Argo profilers in areas of seasonal sea ice, within the ACC; repeat CTD/LADCP sections, with comprehensive underway surface ocean/met observations. • Cryosphere: To observe the seasonally waxing/waning of the sea ice and snow cover, its movements in response to wind and currents, through: sea ice concentration, roughness, thickness and stratification [snow, sea water ice].

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
From CASO Eoi: Theme 1: present environmental status of the polar regions CASO will document temporal and spatial variability of Southern Ocean climate, ecosystems, and their interactions. Theme 2: to understand change and improve predictions. CASO aims to understand, interpret and predict climate variability and change in the southern polar regions and its impact on Antarctic and global processes. Theme 3: polar – global teleconnections CASO will address teleconnections between polar and lower latitudes, between the ocean basins, and between the upper and lower atmosphere. Theme 4: unknowns at the frontiers of science CASO is targeting several new frontiers, including the first measurements of the volume of Antarctic sea ice through an annual cycle and of the sub-ice ocean circulation and ecosystems.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The Weddell and Ross Corridor observational array will be fully coordinated with the programs of other nations, under the CASO umbrella and other affiliated programs, such as AnZone/SASSI and GEOTRACERS and BONUS.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Weddell Sea Corridor [east of Antarctic Peninsula and the Drake Passage to roughly longitude 10°W] and the Ross Sea Corridor [longitude range eastward from 150°E to 150°W]

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 03/07-03/09            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Deployment of moorings within varied levels of sea ice cover, the deployment of meteorological sensors at coastal sites and islands, and on sea ice floes, and buoys at sea requires use of a ice capable ship [icebreaker with the more southern realms]. Helicopter is used to access islands and perhaps ice floes. Aircraft for high resolution remote sensing. An ice capable ship is needed for the repeat CTD/LADCP sections and servicing of the mooring/buoy activity. Yes, facilities can be shared. [See items in Bold in Note 4 of Accompanying Notes for submission of IPY 2007-2008 Eoi]

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The high resolution set of observations during the IPY will serve as a statistical means of relating past and future observations in the study of climate modes (as done with global SST and air pressure gridded data sets). In addition, the data and experience gained by the Weddell and Ross corridor program will form the basis for continued time series.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
IDEA 013: "Polar Climate Transects" was presented to the US CLIVAR Science Steering Committee in January 2004. IDEA 013 has been incorporated into the international CASO document.

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

It is a contribution to CASO. Some components of the observing system may be based on exisiting systems.

How will the project be organised and managed?
A national committee will be established, perhaps through US CLIVAR, to liaison with the international management plan as outlined in the CASO Eoi

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The Office of Polar Programs has numerous outreach programs, that will be enthusiastically embraced by the Weddell and Ross Corridor team. An important part of outreach will be to inform the public of the changing climate of the southern polar region and its links to the climates of lower latitudes.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data will be managed via the international CASO program. A national committee for mangaement will be established

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Proposal[s] to Office of Polar Programs of the US National Science Foundation.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof  Arnold L. Gordon
61 Route 9W
Palisades NY
10964-8000
USA

Tel: 845 365-8325
Mobile: no
Fax: 845 365-8157
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation