Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Trans-SIBEX: Coordinated Trans-Siberian expeditions in the International Polar Year  (Trans-SIBEX)

Outline
Our plan is to organize two scientific expeditions spanning Russia's Siberian territories, using Russian rail (Trans-Siberian Railroad)and ship (Lena River)to ferry international science parties across two broad transects spanning multiple biomes, physiographic and climatic regions, and ethnic groups. The 9,300 km Trans-Siberian line between Moscow and Vladivostok has now been fully electrified as of 2002. From its headwaters west of Lake Baikal, the Lena River flows 4500 km north to the Artic Ocean, where it forms a 400 km wide delta entering the Laptev Sea. Funding will be sought to adapt one or more railroad cars and one Russian ship to create “mobile research facilities,” with laboratory and computing space, as well as comfortable accommodations for participating international and Russian scientists. Using these moving facilities as a base of operations, field campaigns would be carried out by a variety of scientists throughout the entire IPY, creating a one-of-a-kind opportunity for intensive study of a wide array of topics in the physical, biological and social sciences. While certain experiments could be carried out on the moving platforms themselves (such as air or water quality meteorological measurements, and interviews of traveling human subjects), more intensive data collection at select study sites would be arranged through disembarkation of science parties. Upon completion of their experiments, scientists would return to the ship or train for data recording and uplink, analysis, and transport to their next study site. Negotiation of a process for obtaining local and national permits for these IPY-related research sorties would be a key proviso of the Tran-SIBEX expeditions, and would need to be negotiated at a very high level with the Department of Foreign Relations, Moscow. Similarly, if samples are to be physically removed from Russia, agreements will need to be negotiated in advance with the Ministries of Culture, Ecology, and Mineral Resources in Moscow.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Uniform collection of a broad array of baseline physical, climatic and socio-economic data spanning high-latitude Siberia; formations of integrative international science teams to interpret and synthesize those data in the context of IPY science and programmatic objectives.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Strong international collaboration and formal agreements will be necessary between the Russian Federation and participating nations.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
1. Lena River (~4500 km) 2. Trans-Siberian Railroad (Moscow to Vladivostok, ~9,300 km), potentially including the Baykal-Amur Mainline (BAM) railroad line linking central Siberia with the Pacific 2 2 Define the approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities?

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 01/2007 - 12/2008            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
1. Scientific ship expedition(s)2. Modification of one or more Russian rail car(s)3. Detailed logistical planning and international agreements to streamline processing of research permits and visas for foreign scientists to enter and carry out research in Russia

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Modified laboratory and accommodation facilities, including information technology.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No

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

These would be completely new and unprecedented trans-continental science expeditions in Siberia.

How will the project be organised and managed?
An international project of this scope will obviously involve many parties. An important first phase will be formation of a science and logistical steering committee, to define the broadest possible science objectives in the natural, physical and social sciences, and begin the process of logistical planning in Russia.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
A project of this scope must have many levels of education, outreach and communication that remain to be defined by the yet-to-be-formed Steering Committee.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
A project of this scope will result in the collection of vast amounts of baseline data in the natural, physical and social sciences. Defining data sampling protocol, quality assurance, management and dissemination to conform with IPY requirements will be vital during the run-up to the IPY.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
A project of this scope will require substantial resources from multiple participating nations. An important first step will be to secure funding for an open workshop to invite scientists potentially interested in working on physical, biological and social science questions in the Russian Arctic during the IPY.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Obviously, creation of mobile research facilities that traverse back and forth across the Trans-Siberian Railroad and Lena River, picking up and disgorging international scientists for two years, is an ambitious endeavour that faces many challenges. In addition to funding, obtaining approval from Russian government officials and deciding how individual studies are to be determined and supported remain outstanding challenges. Full cooperation with Russian scientists is absolutely essential to the success of this project, as we have learned from our previous collaborative work in Russia. However, successful implementation of this idea would enable a wide range of exciting research to be conducted across one of the most remote high-latitude places on earth, and would represent a high-visibility, high-impact endeavor worthy of an International Polar Year.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Laurence Smith
1255 Bunche Hall, Box 951524
Los Angeles, CA
90095-1524
USA

Tel: 310-825-3154
Mobile: no
Fax: 310-206-5976
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation