Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #93 Bromine and biogenic sulphate in Arctic aerosols and snow: spatial and temporal relationships.  (CANADA #93)

Outline
The links between current atmospheric composition and changes in the biosphere and ice-cover need to be clearly defined if we are to correctly assess the impacts of climate shifts over time. Earlier studies by the author show an intriguing and unexplained correspondence between the proportion of biogenic sulphate and bromine in aerosols at Alert, Nunavut over a period of two years in the Canadian Arctic. This coincides with the finding that BrO oxidation of dimethylsulphide, a gas ventilated from the surface ocean in regions of high productivity, was vital in modelling atmospheric composition above the ocean during the SERIES iron fertilization experiment over the Pacific in 2001 (Norman and Wadleigh, 2004). Current research on biogenic sulphate in Arctic aerosols over the past decade may provide insight on whether this relationship extends over longer periods of time and if the production of biogenic sulphur in Arctic regions or its relationship with bromine has shifted with changes in regional temperature. However, details of the mechanism that links these two, supposedly distinct components of the atmosphere remain unresolved. The proposed research would examine the occurrence of bromine and biogenic sulphate in snow and atmospheric samples using isotopes to try to better define if there are common sources and/or oxidation pathways linking these two compounds in the atmosphere. This research is necessary if we are to understand archival records, such as ice core records, of bromine and its potential role in climate change.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Status: Studying the relationship between bromine and biogenic sulphate in air and snow, whether these parameters change in concert in both media, and whether this is related to radiative properties in the atmosphere (related to DMS oxidation) or coincident biogenic production of species such as methyl bromide and DMS could be groundbreaking research that addresses the links currently present between biotic arctic communities and climate effects. Change: This research could potentially provide the fundamental science behind observed changes in bromine concentrations through ice core records and its potential relationship to at least regional climate change. Global Linkages: Atmospheric bromine, its concentration, forms and oxidation pathways, are currently not well understood with the exception of its role in Arctic haze and ozone destruction. Science that can shed light on its origin and transformations in a region where the chemical pathways have been defined, could potentially have global implications on climate change and the formation of fine aerosols, particularly if DMS and Br production or release from the ocean are shown to be linked. New Frontiers: Forms of atmospheric bromine and its relation to biogenic sulphate have been proposed by von Glasow and Crutzen (2004) but have not been studied or examined in field research. The proposed research presents a unique opportunity to examine whether, and what type of links between biogenic sulphate and bromine occur in an environment that where Canadian researchers have the global lead in terms of understanding and measuring atmospheric bromine (Bottenheim et al., ). Vantage Point: Polar regions are distinct and because of the phenomenon of Arctic haze, the Canadian Arctic in particular has been studied repeatedly with special emphasis on the role and form of atmospheric bromine in pollutant oxidation. This background information will provide a valuable basis for the proposed research.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Expected collaboration: Jan Bottenheim (Br) and Sunling Gong (S) at the Meteorological Service of Canada as well as other OASIS project researchers. Potential collaboration with Australian Antarctic research teams (my graduate student has been in contact) and potentially with Washington University isotope researchers Shelly Alexander (O isotope anomalies) and Anne Johansen (SOLAS participant).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The Canadian Arctic, possibly aboard the Russian nuclear icebreaker or an ice-raft platform to minimize contamination from generators or combustion engines.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 09/2005 – 09/2007            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Ice-breaker (nuclear only) or ice platform: multi-instrumented platform, new and existing field stations.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

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

OASIS project management is meeting in January to define logistical needs.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This specific project has not been “endorsed” at the national or international level. However, my input has been solicited wrt the OASIS project and ongoing C-SOLAS activies. 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: Variability and change in the Canadian Cryosphere

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

It may operate as a stand-alone project if not appropriate to be funded under the IPY programme but preferably would be encompassed under the umbrella of the OASIS or C-SOLAS initiatives to maximize the overlap of data and infrastructure/logistics with other atmospheric/ocean sampling projects.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Preferably under the OASIS project team.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Again, it is anticipated this would be addressed by the OASIS or C-SOLAS project team as the results of fundamental research such as this may not be easily distributed as a stand-alone project.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
See the OASIS and/or C-SOLAS project outlines for details.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funds to support this research will be sought through NSERC and CFCAS. Depending on the degree of logistical support under the umbrella project to transport students and/or researchers into the Arctic each year an upper estimate of $300,000 will be required for this project.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Ann-Lise Norman
University of Calgary
Department of Physics & Astronomy
2500 University Dr. N.W. , Calgary AB
T2N 1N4
Canada

Tel: 403-220-5405
Mobile: no
Fax: 403-220-7773
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation