Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #166:Ocean transports across 66N from satellite altimetry, numerical models and in-situ observations  (Ocean transports across 66N)

Outline
We propose to use high-quality altimeter data from TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason-1 (TPJ) satellites in order to calculate sea level and ocean transport anomalies across 66N, near the turning latitude of TPJ satellites, and relate these transports to numerical model output and to available in-situ observations of currents and water properties in the latitude band 65.8-66.2N. The TPJ altimeter data start in September of 1992 and are expected to continue for at least 8 more years, providing a 20-year time series of sea level and ocean transports. The altimeter-derived work will expand on recent results for Bering Strait (Cherniawsky et al. 2005, submitted to J. Geophys. Res.), extending the processing to the complete circumpolar band. The modelling component will derive from the Arctic modelling work in Canada, Europe and U.S.A. Additional data from ERS-1, ERS-2, Envisat and GFO altimeters will be detided using recent numerical tidal models and will complement TPJ data in optimal interpolation onto a regular grid. These two-dimensional maps will be used for comparison with high-resolution numerical models, including the models from Arctic Models Inter-comparison Project (AOMIP), and to provide southern boundary conditions for such models. This proposal is mainly about using satellite altimetry and numerical models for estimating the transports across a circumpolar band. However, because of scarcity of in-situ data in this band (except for the Bering Strait), we are proposing to include a modest field component in the Davis Strait and to deploy water level recorders at two TPJ track crossovers near 66N. These will be used to relate the total water column pressure and its zonal gradients to sea level measurements by the altimeters. We shall also seek co-operation from other field programs (some funded through IPY), asking for deployments in the specified areas, thus contributing to our knowledge of the fluxes in and out of the Arctic, while making an efficient use of the available satellite altimeter data.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This proposals addresses the following IPY themes: Theme 1 (Current state) as it produces a current snapshot of ocean transports in and out of the Arctic; Theme 2 (Changes), as it will provide up to two decades of time series of seasonal and interannual variability of these transports; Theme 3 (Polar-global linkages), as these transports will be analysed (using data and models) for inter-basin, inter-ocean and atmospheric interaction; Theme 4 (New frontiers), as far as we know, this type of work was not done before. The major target of the proposal is natural science research, with research results contributing to legacy of science.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Paul Budgell, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway Sirpa Hakkinen, NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, MD Rebecca Woodgate, Applied Physics Laboratory, Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA Thomas Weingartner, Institute of Marine Science, Univ. of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
65.8-66.2N: Bering Strait, Davis Strait, Denmark Strait and Norwegian Sea.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 2006 – 2009            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
1. New water level recorder (WLR) and current meter stations near 66N in Davis Strait (ship-time costs to be shared with ArcticNet) 2. Collaborative use of data from US projects in Bering Strait. 3. Altimeter data archiving and processing facility at the Institute of Ocean Sciences, Sidney, B.C. (shared with other projects at IOS).

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Part of the funding will be used to establish new long-term monitoring BPR stations near 66N in Davis Strait and to update and maintain an existing satellite altimeter data processing and archiving facility at IOS.

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

Canadian Coast Guard will provide the ship (CCGS Amundsen) for instrument deployment in Davis Strait. Ongoing US programs deploy instruments in Bering Straits.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
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: Arctic Ocean Fluxes and 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

This new project is a logical extension of previous work in Bering Strait, funded in 2002-04 by PERD. Certain project components, in particular in-situ observations or numerical modelling work, are partly funded by existing projects. We will take advantage of the planned yearly (2005-2009) ArcticNet cruises in Northern Baffin Bay and U.S. Bering Strait cruises.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organized and managed from the Institute of Ocean Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region, where altimetry data will be processed, analysed and archived. Modelling will be managed from Laval University and in-situ observations in Davis Strait will be managed from INRS-ETE, Quebec City, Que., while modelling and in-situ observations in Denmark Strait and Norwegian Sea will be managed from the Institute of Marine Research, Norway.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
1. Project web site 2. Conference presentations 3. Refereed publications

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
1. Processed altimetry data and products will be archived at IOS 2. Canadian in-situ data in Davis Strait will be archived at MEDS 3. Bering Strait data will be archived according to US NSF guidelines

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Project depends on new funds from IPY and NSERC (future proposals). One or two moorings will be contributed by ArcticNet.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
proposal for Bering Strait mooring work (Woodgate and Weingartner) has been submitted to US NSF for field work from 2005-2009

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr  Josef Cherniawsky
Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
9860 West Saanich Road
Sidney, B.C.
V8L 4B2
Canada

Tel: 250-363-6549
Mobile: 250-516-7316
Fax: 250-363-6746
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation