Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #129: Sedimentology, paleontology and evolution of Cambrian and Ordovician strata, Canadian Arctic Islands  (Arctic Cambro-Ordovician)

Outline
Sedimentary strata of Early Cambrian to Early Ordovician age (approximately 470-530 Ma) crop out extensively on Ellesmere Island, Devon Island and adjacent North Greenland. These rocks record the rifting over half a billion years ago of the Arctic margin of Laurentia—as early Paleozoic North America is called by geologists—from an as yet unknown continental mass, and consequent flooding of the newly formed continental shelf by tropical marine waters. Subsidence of the shelf led to an accumulation of sandstones, shales and limestones, locally with reefal accumulations, some of which are gigantic, which preserve a biotic signal of early animal evolution in this region. The sedimentological patterns and paleontological content reflect, among various controls, the rise and fall of sea level, climate fluctuation, seawater chemistry, and biotic migration, evolution and extinction. Mapping by the Geological Survey of Canada over the past couple of decades shows where outcrops lie. Reconnaissance along with locally detailed investigation, including by this proposer, show that critical and fascinating stratigraphical data do exist but much remains to be found and achieved to clarify the Cambro-Ordovician evolution of this critical part of the continent. Not only are these rocks fertile subject matter for stratigraphic research, but Cambro-Ordovician rocks elsewhere in the Arctic contain Pb, Zn and hydrocarbons, critical natural resources of potential importance to the northern economy.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Primarily in terms of IPY theme 4 (new frontiers), the Canadian Arctic Islands are a geological frontier thanks to their remote and harsh nature, as well as the scarcity of researchers focused on lower Paleozoic stratigraphy. For example, just this year we revised drastically (resetting by >50 million years) the timing of the rifting episode that led to the development of the lower Paleozoic continental margin in Arctic Canada (Dewing et al., 2004). Stratigraphic sections at many localities will be documented in detail in order to portray a three-dimensional, temporally controlled grid. Fossils will be collected and documented from taxonomic, biostratigraphical and paleobiological standpoints.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
It is possible that there will be collaboration with current and past personnel of the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland. They are certainly interested in any research on these strata and support any activities in North Greenland. PCSP says they can provide logistical support for work on the Greenland side.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Ellesmere Island, Devon Island, possibly northwestern Greenland

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/06 – 07/06      06/07 – 07/07      06/08 – 07/08
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Fixed-wing and helicopter aircraft for access to remote field sites, which can usually be coordinated with other users.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

It is hoped that PCSP can provide all the aircraft support in an efficient manner.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
In that it is on-going research for which I have received past NSERC funding and PCSP and GSC logistical support. This component is outlined in my current NSERC-Discovery Grant proposal. This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: THEME: Education, Outreach & Communication SUB-THEME: Geoscience and new technologies/challenges for sustainable development

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?
yes

I have conducted field work on this project in 1993 and 1995.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Self-managed. It will involve me, one to two graduate students and two undergraduate field assistants.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Apart from advertising for undergraduate geology students who are northern residents to act as field assistants (or graduate students), no further plans. All work will be published in peer-reviewed forums with copies of articles and theses passed on to northern agencies.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Representative rock samples and all paleontological specimens will be housed and curated in the collections of the Geological Survey of Canada.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
NSERC-DG for basic field costs, stipends and salaries. PCSP for logistical support. University of Saskatchewan, NSERC or other agencies for scholarship/fellowship support if possible.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
I can mention that I may be the only Canadian geologist to have conducted research on the bedrock geology of Antarctica. I spent a field season there in 1984-1985, cut short by an aircraft mishap. Several papers were published in the latter 1980s.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof  Brian Pratt
University of Saskatchewan
Department of Geological Sciences
Saskatoon SK
S7N 5E2
Canada

Tel: 306-966-5725
Mobile: no
Fax: 306-966-8593
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation