Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Quantifying late Holocene climate change in the Arctic: Calibrating the lamination stratigraphy of Lake Linné, Svalbard  (Svalbard REU)

Outline
Svalbard, located at 78 N in the North Atlantic, is strategically located to monitor Arctic climate change and related oceanic/climatic linkages in the North Atlantic (e.g., NAO). Little is known about late Holocene and recent climate change in this part of the Arctic and its phasing relative to adjacent arctic areas. The Linné glacier (located on the west coast of Spitsbergen) is retreating 41m/yr and at these rates will be gone from the landscape in 15-50 years. The glacier-river-lake system of the Linné Valley is sensitive to climatic changes and cores recovered from the lake contain submillimeter–scale laminae. Preliminary research results indicate that laminae thickness and texture is directly related to changes in sediment flux, glacier mass balance, summer ablation rates and large rainfall events. The Svalbard REU research is directed at assessing the expression of these factors in the lake sediment record by monitoring seasonal changes in the glacier/river/lake system using a variety of data loggers, sediment traps, an automated weather station, and monitoring of river discharge and sediment load. Our over-arching goal is to calibrate the lamination stratigraphy in order to better interpret the record of Holocene climate change preserved in the lake. Climate reconstructions will be based on long-term monitoring and understanding of modern processes. Our program is unique in that undergraduate students do the research. We have initiated baseline monitoring in the study region through a U.S. NSF “Research Experiences for Undergraduates” (REU) program funded through 2006. Our undergraduate students formulate their own research questions, develop their project, and complete fieldwork during a five-week expedition in Svalbard. Students complete their projects at their home institution during the following academic year. The goal of our program is to produce high quality scientific data while attracting and training the next generation of polar scientists. Our program is further enhanced by international collaborations with The University Centre on Svalbard (UNIS) and the Norsk Polarinstitutt. We propose to continue and expand our research and undergraduate education program under the IPY framework. With IPY endorsement, we will seek NSF funding to continue the monitoring/calibration program for an additional five years. Increasing the length of our baseline monitoring (yearly glacier mass balance, automated meteorological observations, lacustrine sedimentation monitoring, etc.) will greatly increase their value. Undergraduate students affiliated with the Svalbard REU program work side by side with students enrolled through UNIS and instructors guide student research projects and facilitate project completion and publication.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Our research addresses five IPY themes:(1) Status: Our main focus is characterizing and monitoring the current environmental status of the Linné Valley glacier-river-lake system.(2) Change: By calibrating the sediment record in Lake Linné we will quantify past Arctic climate change.(3) Global Linkages: Our Svalbard site is sensitive to oceanographic linkages such as NAO and ENSO.(4) New Frontiers: Our project is the first to attempt to calibrate lamination stratigraphy in an Arctic glacier-fed lake by quantifying modern processes. (6) Human Dimensions: Our monitoring will document ongoing changes influencing the infrastructure of local communities on Svalbard. Our reconstructions of past changes will help understand historic human migration and settlement patterns.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project is tightly integrated with UNIS and Norsk Polarinstitutt. Faculty from U.S. institutions and UNIS will coordinate the program. U.S. REU Students will collaborate with UNIS students. The Svalbard REU Project will also integrate with the IPY “In Spe project” being proposed by Dr. Hanne Christiansen of UNIS. q2_1_Location : Linné Glacier, Linné Valley, and Linné Lake, near Kapp Linné, Svalbard (78° 05’N, 12° 40’E)

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Linné Glacier, Linné Valley, and Linné Lake, near Kapp Linné, Svalbard (78° 05’N, 12° 40’E)

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Very little significant logistic support/facilities is required. Boat transportation to/from Kapp Linné is needed but readily available locally. Other local transportation and field logistics are readily available. Housing is available at Isfjord Radio.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Our project will establish long-term baseline monitoring of several climate sensitive landscape features – mass balance of the Linné Glacier, meteorological conditions in the Linné Valley, and limnological/water quality measurements of Linné Lake. We will also create a cohort of well-trained and enthusiastic young Arctic researchers.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
National agency
Commercial operator
Own support

Most of the logistical arrangements have been worked in during our 2003 and 2004 field seasons.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes. The NSF has provided funding for the first four years of the Svalbard REU. With endorsement from the IPY committee we hope to continue this educational/research program beyond 2006.

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?
Exp

Our REU summer research program began in 2003. We’ve now set up basic monitoring instruments and have established local contacts for logistical services. This IPY proposal is to continue the REU program for an additional three to five years.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The U.S. REU program will be coordinated by Steve Roof (Hampshire College) and Al Werner (Mount Holyoke College) with support from participating co-PIs at several other U.S. institutions. Svalbard field research objectives and logistics will be coordinated with UNIS researchers and Norsk Polarinstitutt scientists.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Student participants are required to present their research experiences to local schools and science clubs. A public school teacher will participate each year (through the TREC program) and will communicate research goals and adventures to a broad public audience via the internet. Our recruitment efforts will reach the underserved and underrepresented undergraduate student populations in the U.S.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All data will be freely available from our project website (www.mtholyoke.edu/go/svalbard). All data will be collected and archived according to IPY protocols.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Primarily U.S. NSF with logistical support from UNIS

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Steven Roof
School of natural Science
Hampshire College
Amherst, MA
01002
USA

Tel: 413-559-5667
Mobile: no
Fax: 413-559-5448
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation