Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Study of Antarctic Sea Ice Ecosystems  (SASIE)

Outline
Recently, our knowledge about the Antarctic sea ice ecology is based mainly on observations conducted in coastal regions but little is known about physical, chemical and biological processes in the ice-covered Southern Ocean (SO) during the winter period. Each year the Antarctic sea ice cover recedes from its maximum area of approximately 20 mln km2 in September to its minimum area of approximately 4 mln km2 in February. To understand environmental changes in the SO, there is urgent integrated, multidisciplinary research in the Antarctic sea ice zone (ASIZ). In general, this research will be focused on field observations both in key pelagic and coastal regions looking at large-scale and long-term modes of variability. The major issue for this research is: How do variability at various scales interact to produce changes at given place and time? Well-known that ecosystem response is to be very complicated, due to coupling among modes of variability of different time and special scales. For example, a small magnitude but large-scale change in ocean circulation may change water conditions beyond a certain threshold, resulting in a major ecosystem change. The main focus needs to be done on the quantitative and qualitative investigations of all biological components of the ASIZ including sea ice algae, ice-associated invertebrates, krill, fishes, as well as marine mammals and birds. Key issues include:·Satellite sounding over the biological production within the ASIZ;·Ship-board observations of sea ice algal bloom to find algorithm between satellite and field sounding;·Lab observations to detect taxonomy of species developing within the ASIZ in time and space.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Development of fundamental knowledge of composition, structure and function of Antarctic sea ice ecosystems to understand the reciprocal feedback of sea ice biology to the climate in the Southern Ocean.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Collaboration and coordination with IPY-related projects at international and national level under umbrella of SCAR and Russian Antarctic Research programs. We expect international cooperation in data search and management, field work, model development, and writing publications.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Round-year ecological monitoring of the sea ice in the coastal area of “Mirny” and seasonal monitoring of sea ice on transect along of 11° E from the sea ice edge up to the continental station “Novolazarevskaya”.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: March 2007 – March 2008 (Mirny)      May, July, September 2007 (11° E)      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Project requires traditional field logistical support provided by the Russian Antarctic Expedition including helicopter flights for sea ice samplings along the 11° E transect.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Expected sea ice ecological data can be used for assessment of krill and fishes stocks and can be recommended for CCAMLR commission.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Expected Russian Academy of SciencesRussian Antarctic ExpeditionFederal Programme “World Ocean”Russian Foundation for Basic ResearchOrganizing Committee of the Russian Federation for the IPY 2007/2008CCMLR, GLOBEC as components of SCAR

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?


The project is a component of the research activities within the frames of Subprogram “Antarctica” of the Federal Programme “World Ocean” (“Krial”). This Project can be also considerated as a part of international programs like CCMLR and GLOBEC which are planned in the IPY under support by the national programs of USA, Germany, Japan as well as by the Russian Antarctic project “Biota of Antarctic” of the Zoological Institute, RAS.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be carrying out within the frames of Subprogram “Antarctica”, Federal Programme “World Ocean”, Russian Antarctic Expedition and IPY Program of the Russian Academy of Sciences (the leading body is the Institute of Oceanology RAS).

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Expected results of the project will be presented through reports, papers and web site of the Federal Programme “World Ocean” and can be used in education, outreach and communication. It is planned to involve students and younger scientists in field studies and processing of data collected.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The data obtained after processing and analysing will be integrated into national and international databases under the concordance with countries and/or institutions that fulfil the analogous studies in Antarctica.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
It is proposed to fund the project through the Federal Programme “World Ocean”, Russian Antarctic Expedition and IPY Program of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Academician Igor Melnikov



117997 Moscow
Russia

Tel: (095) 124-59-96
Mobile: 8 916 604 3131
Fax: (095) 124-83-56
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation