Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Distributed, Variable Frequency Sampling of Biogeochemical Tracers in Major Eurasian Arctic Rivers  (River Biogeochemical Tracers)

Outline
The hydrologic and biogeochemical cycles linking the arctic atmosphere, land and ocean are undergoing unprecedented changes in the face of global warming. These changes include increases in annual discharge and shifts in the seasonality of flow from major rivers of Eurasia to the Arctic Ocean. The striking hydrologic changes are paralleled by changes in the fluxes of carbon, nitrogen and biogeochemical tracers. Changes in the timing and quantity of water and water-borne constituent fluxes have important physical and biological consequences for coastal, shelf and open ocean environments. We propose to study biogeochemical fluxes over the annual hydrologic cycle at strategic locations within the Lena, Yenisey, and Ob' drainages. Samples for analysis of key chemical constituents and properties (major ions, nutrients, isotopes, selected minor elements and tracers) will be collected at 4-6 major tributaries and 4-5 mainstem sites on each river. Sample frequency will be every few days during peak flow in spring and monthly during summer–winter low flow. This international Russian-American effort complements and extends current and past sampling of continent to ocean fluxes at stations near the mouth of each river. This detailed spatial and temporal sampling program is required for early change detection and attribution of change in the Arctic System.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Rivers are the dominant links between land and ocean in the Arctic, so data generated by this project will greatly contribute our understanding of the current state of the Arctic System. This knowledge is also key to improving predictions of the future state of the Arctic System, as global warming is expected to impact river biogeochemistry in ways that we cannot understand without a thorough understanding of the current state of the system. The project will also involve many arctic residents, contributing to our education and outreach objectives.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project will be a collaboration between U.S. and Russian scientists. A number of Siberian residents will also be involved in sampling efforts associated with the project.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
We will sample in the watersheds of the Yenisey, Lena, and Ob’ rivers in Siberia. Sampling will be done along the main-stems of these three rivers, as well as on major tributaries.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 01/07– 12/09            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
This project will not require major logistical assets of the type listed in Note 4.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Our project will develop a “human infrastructure” at numerous locations within the Yenisey, Lena, and Ob’ watersheds. That is, we will rely on partners living near the sampling sites to conduct most of the river water sampling. This network of collaborators will be a valuable asset for future research efforts in the Eurasian Arctic.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Other sources of support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Our expression of interest is in the process of being considered by the US National Committee for IPY.

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?


We will submit a new proposal to fund this research, but the project is an extension of our current work on major artic rivers (http://ecosystems.mbl.edu/partners).

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed by a coordinating committee of participating U.S. and Russian scientists. Overall project direction will be the responsibility of the PI/PD of the project (Bruce Peterson).

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Sampling will be conducted at several locations in the Yenisey, Lena, and Ob’ watersheds. We will involve local residents in the sampling program and will give presentations to local schools about our research. We will also seek graduate student involvement in the research.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
We will generate data on biogeochemical tracer concentrations for several locations within the watersheds of the Yenisey, Lena, and Ob’ rivers. The data will be made freely available on our project web site. They will also be provided to IPY data management facilities and to the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We plan to submit this proposal to NSF-OPP in January 2006.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr. Bruce Peterson
7 MBL Street
Woods Hole, MA
02543
USA

Tel: 508-289-7484
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation