Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Lithostratigraphy of sedimentary cover in deepwater Amerasian Basin (Arctic Ocean) and significance of bottom sediments for geotectonic interpretation of the Central-Arctic bathymetric highs  (Lithostratigraphy of sedimentary cover in deepwater Amerasian Basin (Arctic Ocean) and significance of bottom sediments for geotectonic interpretation of the Central-Arctic bathymetric highs)

Outline
Important information on tectonic nature of the Central-Arctic bathymetric highs and, consequently, the entire Amerasian Basin is provided by their sedimentary drape studied in both bedrock occurrences and as loose bottom sediments. The former have unambiguously been established on Lomonosov Ridge and Chukchi Borderland and not only confirmed continental nature of these bottom elevations but even enabled specification of the Northwind Ridge as a cratonic terrane whose sedimentary cover contains typical platform Paleozoic and Mesozoic formations. Similar lithologies as abundant rock fragments of variable shape and dimensions (from sand to boulder size) were constantly sampled by gravity cores, grabs and dredges in bottom sediments and immediate sub-bottom layers on Alpha Ridge and Mendeleev Rise. Some scientists interpret these fragments as the products of weathering of nearby bedrock sources consisting of epi-continental platform formations, and therefore regard the Alpha-Mendeleev system a continental structure similar to Lomonosov Ridge and Chukchi Borderland; others, however, believe that all loose rocks of continental derivation found in the central Amerasian Basin were transported here by ice rafting and deposited as Plio-Pleistocene glacial-marine sequences at the top of sedimentary cover overlying a late Mesozoic oceanic crust. The purpose of the project is to seek clarification of the existing controversies through acquisition of additional geological evidence during expedition activities planned by several countries in the Amerasian Basin for 2005-2008. Coordination and integration of geophysical studies envisaged during these expeditions is proposed as a separate IPY initiative “Crustal structure of bathymetric highs in the Amerasian abyssal basin (Arctic Ocean) and zones of their transition to the shelf”. This project specifically addresses the geological, high resolution seismic and hydrographic data that will be collected by various national expeditions in the study area and may provide solution to many unanswered questions if processed and interpreted in a single package and in close comparison with similar results obtained by previous Russian (2000, 2004) and earlier western cruises, APEX drilling on Lomonosov Ridge in 2004, and published data. The principal objectives will be (1) to characterize the distribution of grain size groups of bottom sediments in relation to bottom relief and geomorphologic peculiarities; (2) to identify bedrock and/or intermediate sources of clastic material; (3) to constrain stratigraphic range of sedimentary cover and develop lithostratigraphic criteria for categorizing the tectonic nature of the crust beneath deepwater Amerasian Basin seabed; (4) to decipher the paleoclimatic record captured in sedimentary cover sections. .

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
(1) Improved understanding of fundamental regularities in geodynamic evolution of the Arctic segment of the Earth; (2) Constraining the internal structure of sedimentary cover in the Amerasian Basin, the mechanisms of bottom sediments formation in high latitude abyssal environments, the history of Plio-Pleistocene climate fluctuations and glaciations in the Arctic; (3) Reconstructing geological evolution of large seafloor elevations in deepwater Arctic Ocean and their relationship with tectonic structures of the surrounding continental margins.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Coordination of scientific and logistic plans developed in Russia, USA, Germany for expedition activities in the high Arctic in 2005 – 2008 among the respective national planning authorities and with international IPY, IASC and other initiatives. Joint processing of newly acquired and earlier data and exchange of scientific materials in order to achieve and jointly publish a common understanding of bottom sediments formation in the Arctic basin and define the bearing of these scientific conclusions on legal aspects in the context of UNCLOS Convention on the Law of the Sea.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Mendeleev Rise, Alpha Ridge, Lomonosov Ridge

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 07/05-09/05      mm/08-mm/08      mm/07-mm/08
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Russia R/V “Akademik Fedorov”, geological sampling gear USA IB “Healy”, equipment for detailed bathymetry and geological studies Germany R/V “Polarstern”, equipment for shallow seismic and geological studies

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Generating new infrastructure is not intended. Implementation of the project is based on logistic and equipment facilities already at disposal of participating organizations and agencies.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
YES - National endorsement: Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation (MNR); IPY Organizing Committee of the Russian Federation; respective national authorities of other involved countries International endorsement: Preliminary negotiated with some of potential partners

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

In regard to 2005 field expeditions and part of subsequent plans the suggested activities are mainly the components of long-term national programs and/or some international projects falling within the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe. The sense of the proposed initiative is to coordinate the scientific objectives and logistic efforts of individual national operators in order to achieve cost-effective solution of the most controversial problems in the interests of the entire Arctic community.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Developing a full project proposal and subsequent implementation activities will require establishing a Project Planning and Coordination Group (PPCG) that would bring together the representatives of participating institutions and agencies. On Russian side, the scientific and organizational representation in PPCG can be provided by VNIIOkeangeologia.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project results will be published in scientific papers (possibly also as an international monograph) and may be used for educational purposes as an example of integrated fundamental study of the world’s youngest and least known oceanic basins. Work on the project will involve active participation of students and young scientists as means of their training in regional geology, tectonics, marine and polar studies.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
In addition to scientific publications, the results of the project will be placed on websites of the participating parties and copied to respective national and international data centers. Exchange of original observational data between the partners (including rock specimens) will be decided by agreement of all interested parties.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Each institution will cover its participation in project activities from respective national budget. Some small allocations in support of PPCG meetings and project-related thematic workshops may be sought from international sources (e.g. IASC, INTAS, etc.)

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Irina Andreeva
Gramberg Research Institute for Geology and Mineral Resources of the World Ocean (VNIIOkeangeologia), Head of Laboratory
1 Angliisky Ave.,
St. Petersburg
190121
Russia

Tel: 7-812-318-5145
Mobile: no
Fax: 7-812-114-1470
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation