Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Study of Sub-Antarctic Islands Natural Complexes  (Sub-Antarctic Islands NaTural Complexes (SAINT))

Outline
The knowledge about regime and variability of the Antarctic natural complexes is of high priority for global climate change impact assessment. Antarctic active layer is an important indicator of current changes in Earth climate system. Current knowledge about Antarctic permafrost conditions and possible scenarios of its further evolution is not satisfactory.This study will be based on results of regular geocryologic survey for determine of natural complexes variability parameters of Antarctic Islands and coastal zone (for executing of comparison study). Analysis and interpretation of obtained data from square surveys obtained on stationary polygons near Russian Bellingshausen station situated on King George Island and Novolazarevskaya and Progress stations will be provided using measurement methods developed by International programme CALM (Circumpolar Active Layer Monitoring). All early measurement results are collected for multiyear variability estimation.The aim of the project is to summarize all available data about the Sub-Antarctic Islands natural complexes obtained by National and International programs during last decades. The main tasks for proposed Project are the following.(1) To determine and analyse the Sub-Antarctic permafrost complexes, including seasonal active layer thickness;(2) To measure the seasonal course of ground temperature profile;(3) To determine the mineral and isotopic compounds of prevailing vegetation communities types and grounds, including ornitogenic soils;(4) To determine the concentration of greenhouse gases fluxes in surface layer.(5) To create the data base for numerical modeling of the response of Antarctic ground according different climate change scenarios.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The main goal of the project is to obtain the numerical estimations of permafrost structure parameters and natural complexes evolution characteristics in the Sub-Antarctica and its changes due to global change signal influence based on data management and analysis of information available on the active layer thickness distribution and variability.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Collaboration with IPY projects and National Antarctic programmes that plan analogous studies on King George Islands and Antarctic coastal zone. We expect international cooperation in valuable data collect and management, joint field works, regional transport model development, and workshop organisation, joint paper preparation.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The geographical area for the project encompasses Filds Peninsula in the south - western part of King George Island, being a part of the South Shetland Isles (Russian Antarctic Bellingshausen station), and vicinity of Russian Progress and Novolazarevskaya stations.The co-ordinates of Bellingshausen station are 62.2° S, 58.9° W, its altitude is 14.3 m above sea level. The station buildings are built on free of ice soil, on the both banks of the brook, rising from the small Kiteg lake and flowing into the Ardly bay. This bay is suitable for ships visits, the disembarkation is executed usually with help of floating transport, sometimes by helicopters. The King George Island is the largest island of the archipelago (its length is about 80 km, its width is 30 km). Most of the island is covered by ice with maximal glacier thickness of 326 m. The Filds Peninsula is the greatest area with free of ice surface, its north-western coast is washed by the Drake gulf waters and its sought-eastern one is washed by the Brandsfield strait. This peninsula is formed from the igneous rocks, the relief is a typical small hills area with altitude up to 150 m and with a lot of fresh water lakes. Most of the year the lakes are covered by ice with the thickness up to 1 m. The peninsula shores are under sea exposure all the year.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: TBC            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Project does not require any additional field logistical support other than provided through the Russian Antarctic Expedition.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The data obtained about the Sub-Antarctic permafrost structure and variability parameters can be used for optimisation of permanent stations logistics infrastructure and so on.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
RoshydrometRussian National Federal Programme “World Ocean”Russian Antarctic ExpeditionOrganizing Committee of the Russian Federation for the IPY 2007/2008Russian Academy of Sciences.Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research

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 Sub-Programme “Study and Investigation of Antarctica”, National Federal Programme “World Ocean”

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be carried out within the frames of Russian National Sub-Programme “ Study and Investigation of Antarctica”, National Federal Programme “World Ocean” and Russian Antarctic Expedition plan.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Results of the project will be presented through reports, papers and web site of the Federal Programme “World Ocean” The modern knowledge about the natural complexes of Sub-Antarctic Isles 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 quality control procedure processing and analysing will be integrated into national and international databases, for instance SCAR and JCADM databases, under the concordance with countries or institutions that fulfil the analogous studies in other Antarctic areas.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
It is proposed to fund the project through the National Federal Programme “World Ocean” and Russian Antarctic Expedition.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr. Victor Lagun



199397 Saint-Petersburg
Russia

Tel: (095) 352-29-50
Mobile: no
Fax: (095) 352-26-88
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation