Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #91:The Canadian Arctic Margin Expedition  (CAME)

Outline
Our current view of the Arctic mediterranean is decidedly ‘regional’ because historical efforts have focussed on regions with the result that we sense the parts but not the whole. A synoptic view of the mediterranean Arctic Ocean is lacking and is sorely needed. To progress toward an integrated view of the Arctic Ocean, we need a new perspective that is pan-arctic in scale and system-wide (e.g. climate, ecology, bio-geochemistry) in scope. The objective of CAME is to collect the data required for such a perspective and to provide a baseline against which change can be evaluated. International polar experts agree that the shelf break is the key location to observe ecosystems and their response to climate change as this is where the combined effects of boundary currents, shelf-basin exchange and retreating ice cover are expected to be most pronounced. Already a number of nations are planning oceanographic sections that sample inside, above, and outside the shelf-break. What is missing is a coherent, panarctic attack using common methods to link individual sections running in a radial direction – N/S - across the shelf-break. We suggest an overarching concept of an azimuthal expedition that links these various sectors into a unified view. Ship-based measurements would be made of air, ice water, and sediment, applying a complete suite of analytical variables. CAME will link the contributions of individual nations, provide integration, and allow a first ever synoptic view of the Arctic Ocean against which the impacts of future change can be assessed. The expanded understanding of future scenarios will also allow validation of models and permit better management of use of resources by humans (fisheries, transport, minerals, oil and gas).

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Status: The project will create a panarctic, multidimensional snapshot of the physical and biogeochemical status of the key connected region of the Arctic Ocean Change: Future change can be assessed against this multidimensional benchmark and models projected change can be validated with these data. Historical change will be sought from palaeo studies of sediment cores on the transects. Global Linkages: The dataset will allow the evaluation of connections between basins within the Arctic Ocean and identification of influences along the margins from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. New Frontiers: This would be the first ever synoptic view of the Arctic margins. New techniques including, for example, genomics, geochemical tracers and accoustics will be incorporated into the study design. Human Dimension: As in the case of AOS-94, we would include native northerners, artists and writers in the study team.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
To be carried out by a DFO-led, international and interdisciplinary team; as in the case of AOS-94, this project lends itself to collaboration by a widely interdisciplinary science team with expertise in physics, chemistry, biology, genomics, and geology.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
CAME will utilize the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent to move circumnavigate the Arctic Ocean following the shelf-break (60 – 800m depth contours) collecting information on sediments, circulation, water masses, benthic and pelagic communities and ice, as illustrated in the following schematic (Figure 1).

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
A Polar Class Science-Capable Icebreaker with accommodation and lab facilities for 35+ scientists is required for this challenging mission (CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent). International cooperation will be required viz ports and clearances.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
CAME will provide legacies in the form of: 1. The first synoptic and baseline synthesis of the Arctic mediterranean. 2. International leadership and influence for Canada 3. Science and operational upgrades to the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent. 4. Traning, mentoring and a large database and suite of archive samples for the next generation of polar scientists.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
YEs- Vetted through DFO planning committees (N-CAARE) 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: Arctic Ocean Fluxes & Flows

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

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be led by Canadian Scientists who will prepare a detailed science plan, recruit the international team, and design data management strategies.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Education, outreach and communication plans include: 1. Inviting science writers, northerners and students to join the expedition 2. Broadcast expedition progress in real time 3. Prepare syntheses of important findings and distribute these to media 4. Prepare a travelling show to visit northern communities 5. Establish and expedition website.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
CAME presents an opportunity for DFO to take the lead in archiving and managing multi-disciplinary data sets obtained not only by the CAME expedition but also by transect expeditions carried out by other nations. DFO has already in place a data-management capability which would be expanded to encompass this task.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We assume that funding will come from National and International sources. Within Canada it is likely that new funding (Memorandum to Cabinet) will be required to mount any kind of new IPY effort and this project would be put forward as a Canadian-led international exercise fulfilling the themes endorsed by ICSU.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
International support will follow from the reports of the ICARP II working Group on Arctic Margins and Gateways.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Eddy Carmack
DFO
Institute of Ocean Sciences,
9860 West Saanich Road, Sidney BC,
V8L 4B2
Canada

Tel: 250-363-6585
Mobile: no
Fax: 250-3636746
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation