Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Greenland Sea Levels  (GREENSEAL)

Outline
The measurement of sea level along Arctic and Antarctic coastlines presents some of the greatest technical challenges for the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS) of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. The need for such measurements has been clearly made in the scientific literature. For example, in oceanography, Arctic sea level data presently available suggest a common-mode of variability which provides insights in the quasi-resonant dynamics of the Arctic Ocean. Arctic sea level data are of particular interest within water balance studies concerning the freshening of the Arctic Ocean and its relationship to the Arctic Oscillation. The need for measurements for climate studies by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has also been clearly made. Monitoring of levels in high-latitude regions is necessary to understand more completely the spatial pattern of long term sea level change due to ocean warming and ice melt. The Arctic and Antarctic Sea Levels project develops the network and will use existing and new sea level recorders (tide gauges) in USA, Canada, Greenland, Svalbard, Norway and Russia. Existing and future data sets will be used to understand further the sea level variability of the Arctic, directly aiding regional studies of ocean dynamics and climate change. The new recorders will be high technology devices providing data at high frequency and real time, comprising the core of an ongoing Arctic sea level monitoring system. This will be an essential regional component of GLOSS and a major legacy of IPY.Benefits from the development of an Arctic network can be anticipated in many ways not yet clear. However, sea level data are indispensable in many countries for practical applications such as flood warning, navigation, civil engineering and environmental monitoring, in addition to their scientific applications. Consequently, one can envisage social as well as scientific benefit from investment in collaborative Arctic sea level research.The GREENSEAL project is part of the Arctic Sea Levels project and focus on the development of the tide gauge network in Greenland which is particularly crucial for studies of the ocean circulation and flow of sea ice through the Fram Strait, the Greenland Sea and the Denmark Strait. Data management will be undertaken at a high professional level as in all the countries involved in the Arctic Sea Levels project following GLOSS detailed specifications for data management. Furthermore, DNSC participants in the European Sea Level Service (ESEAS).

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Construction of a collaborative ongoing Arctic sea level monitoring network as part of GLOSS. Understanding of the Arctic ocean dynamics and sea level variability. Insight into warming and freshening of the Arctic Ocean via observations of long term sea level change. Compilation of tidal and extreme level statistics for a range of engineering purposes. The GREENSEAL project focus on the development of the tide gauge network in Greenland which is particularly crucial for studies of the ocean circulation and flow of sea ice through the Fram Strait, the Greenland Sea and the Denmark Strait.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The GREENSEAL project is part of the Arctic and Antarctic Sea Levels project. In both projects the participants are members of the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS) which will provide a framework for coordination. It is envisaged that a number of university groups will also participate in data analysis.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
In principle, the geographical areas to be studied includes the entire coastline of Greenland. In practice, tide gauge measurement sites will be limited to relatively open-ocean locations which have good infrastructure (telephone links, local contacts). These will be Thule, Ilulissat, Qaqortoq, Kulusuk, Scoresbysund, Danmarkshavn, and Station Nord.

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Tide gauge stations might be said to be both ‘Existing Field Stations’, ‘New Field Stations’ or ‘Observatories’ in Note 3. They are usually located near to population centres with power, communications etc. or at polar bases where there are personnel.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project will leave vast set of data and information on actual sea levels during the IPY. Furthermore, the project will leave a core sea level network in Greenland which serve monitoring requirements for the next decade. Furthermore, tidal constituents will be provided for ship transport and off-shore activities.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
GLOSS is approved programme of JCOMM (IOC/WMO).

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

The project contributes to the Arctic component of GLOSS which was established by IOC in 1985.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The GREENSEAL project will be lead from DNSC and coordinated with other activities related to the long-term operation and maintenance of GPS-referencestations in Greenland. Furthermore, the project is a coordinated contribution to the Arctic Sea Levels.The Arctic and Antarctic Sea Levels project will be led from POL in its first two years (the IPY period) and by other collaborating bodies each year thereafter. Continuity will be provided through the project endorsement and oversight by GLOSS.

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 will be the responsibility of each partner within its own country. GLOSS and ESEAS will provide a wider mechanism via its international training courses, web pages and considerable IOC/UNESCO resources for reports and publications.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management will be undertaken by DNSC that are participant in the European Sea Level Service (ESEAS). Furthermore, the data will be made available to National Hydrographic Authorities. All data will be ultimately freely accessible via the web.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The hardware (tide gauges) and research costs of the project will be funded initially from the existing budgets of each national partner. Three stations are operational already. It is the intention of DNSC to bid for additional funds from IPYAnnouncements of Opportunity.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The Arctic and Antarctic Sea Levels project has been submitted to the UK IPY committee by Dr. Philip Woodworth. Funding for the stations in Greenland will not be provided through that project.The GREENSEAL project is associated with the Selected foreign proposal #17 (by P. Woodworth) in Theme #1.DNSC is the only organisation in Denmark operating tide gauges in Greenland. DNSC operates GPS-stations as well to monitor land movements. DNSC need further funding to establish and operate the additional stations in Greenland during the IPY.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Head of Department Per Knudsen
Danish National Space Center (DNSC)
Department of Geodesy
Juliane Maries Vej 30, Copenhagen
2100
Denmark

Tel: +45 35325718
Mobile: +45 23603518
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation