Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Airborne measurements in the Southern Polar Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere with the M-55 Geophysica high-altitude platform  (Geophysica: Antarctic UTLS)

Outline
Despite the significant achievements of stratoisperic ozone research in the last years, several major gaps still exist in our knowledge of Polar Stratospheric processes, that severely limit our ability to predict long-term evolution of the ozone layer at high latitudes and to precisely anticipate the onset of its recovery. The Italian Natioanl Progamme for Antarctic Research has recently funded a feasibility study (STAGE project, to be completed in 2005), aimed at: surveying the results of past experimental campaigns in Antarctica and identifying key open issues, which demand for additional field measurements in the Southern Polar Stratosphere; evaluating the technical feasibility of an Antarctic campaign with the high altitude aircraft M-55 Geophysica. The results of the study will be used to drive the scientific planning and the logistic choices of a campaign to be carried out in 2008 from South America or from the Antarctic Peninsula. The main focus of the observations will be on the early phase of the ozone seasonal cycle and on processes which can be significantly affected by future changes in stratospheric temperatures, as a consequence of the increase in greenhouse gases concentration from antropogenic sources. Specific examples are the occurrence in the Antarctic region of large PSC particles (NAT rocks), that are extremely effective in denitrification processes and that have been previously observed only in the Arctic and the formation of solid PSC above the water frost point temperature. Recent MIPAS-satellite observations indicate that mountain wave effects trigger the early formation of small NAT particles in the Souther Polar vortex. The development of the large PSC areas over Antarctica always starts in the second half of May. In contrast, the PSC formation in the Arctic is less predictable. Thus the early Antarctic winter is an ideal test case for studies on NAT nucleation. The M-55 Geophysica with appropriate payload could substantially increase our knowledge on this early NAT information. PSC particles will directly be probed by Lidars (classification of the type), remote-sensors (chemical composition and size distribution) and in situ instruments (chemical composition, size distribution and phase). Indirectly the nucleation will be examined by measuring mixing ratio of HNO3, H20 and several tracers as well as the chlorine budget (HC1, C1ONO2, C10X) by remote and in situ techniques. The dynamics of the Southern Polar vortex will also be investigated with special attention to interactions between the core and the edge regions and between the vortex air masses and the free atmosphere underneath.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The project will contribute to: gain a deeper insight in the Antarctic stratosphere (Theme 1); reduce existing uncertainties about future evolution fo the Antarctic Ozone layer (Theme 2); study the links between polar and mid/tropical latitudes during the transfer flights to/from the campaign site (Theme 3); address critical issues (selected by dedicated preliminary study) at the leading edge of Antarctic stratosphere research (Theme 4), that can be optimally investigated in the unique scenario of the Southern Polar region (Theme 5); Provide information relevant for the countries located underneath the Antarctic ozone hole immediately after break-up and with resources which might be affected by changes in the Antarctic ecosystem (Theme 6)

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project involves the participation of several research institutions from Italy, Russia, Germany, Great Briatin, Switzerland and Argentina. Important links exist with the activities proposed within the Expressions of Intent PSC&Cirrus and LOLITA-PSC in the frame of the IPY 2007-2008, as well as with the scientific goals of the SCOUT-03 project.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Operative base for the M-55 Geophysica aircraft at the airport of Ushuaia, Argentina (Lat.55°S, Lon. 68°W. The possibility of aircraft operations from the Antarctic peninsula (e.g. Marambio station, Lat.64°S, Lon. 57°W) or from McMurdo station (Lat.78°S, Lon. 166°E) will also be investigated.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 05/08-10/08            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Availability of hangar and airport facilities for operation of the aircraft and of the experimental teams. Several groups participating to this project are also involved in PSC&Cirrus and LOLITA-PSC; sharing of the resources will be possible, therefore, at least in the preparatory phases of the different field activities.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
National agency

Logistics for the Antarctic mission at the operative site and for the transfer flights will be managed by the Italian PNRA, in collaboration with the Antarctic Programmes of other participating countries. ERS Srl (Environmental Research Services, Italy) and MDB (Myashishev Design Bureau, Russia) will be responsible, respectively, for aircraft logistics and operation.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The EoI has been examined and positively evaluated by the Italian CSNA (Natioanl Scientific Commission for Antarctica) and by the IPY National Committee. The Italian IPY Committee will send an official endorsement directly to the International Programme Office for IPY 2007-2008. The project has also been endorsed by the co-ordinator of the EUIntegrated Project SCOUT-03.

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?
No

The project is the continuation of PNRA activities with the M-55 in Antarctica, following the APE-GAIA campaign in 1999 and the on-going STAGE study. By investigating microphysics and chemistry of the Antarctic UTLS, it will provide a valuable component to both the EU Integrated Project SCOUT-03 and to IPY PSC&Cirrus in the Arctic.

How will the project be organised and managed?
A Science Committee, composed by representatives of participating research institutions, will be responsible for the scientific co-ordination. The Italian PNRA will co-ordinate the logistics of the campaign, in co-operation with ERS Srl, MDB and the national Antarctic Programmes involved in the project. Links with other projects (e.g SCOUT-03, PSC&Cirrus, LOLITA-PSC) will be assured by regular exchange of relevant information and by mutual invitation of representatives to project meetings.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
PhD students and post-docs will be involved in both experimental and modelling activities of the project. General information about the project, as well as regular updates on its progress status and results will be made available for public access through a dedicated link within the M-55 Geophysica web site.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The strategy to be adopted for data management will be the same as in the SCOUT- 03 project. Specific arrangements might be made for exchange of preliminary results within the community, storage of consolidated data in national databases,etc.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We will seek for funding to support aircraft operations and logistics of the campaign from the Italian PNRA (up to one third of the total) and from the Antarctic Programmes of other participating countries. National funding agencies and research institutions are expected to provide further contributions for supporting experimental and modelling groups.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Acronyms/details of related projects STAGE (State-of-the-art of the research on the Antarctic stratosphere:dynamics, chemistry and microphysics;acquired knowledge and open issues in view of a possible airbourbe campaign with the M-55 Geophysica), project of the Italian Antarctic program (PNRA), co-ordinator Alberto Adriani, ISAC-CNR, Italy PSC&Cirrus(Polar clouds and the ozone layer in chamging climate), co-ordinator Niels Larsen, Danish Meteorological Institue, Denmark. LOLITA-PSC (Lagrangian Observations with Lidar investigations and Trajectories in Antarctica and Arctic, of PSC), co-ordinator Christine David, Service d'Aeronomie - IPSL France. SCOUT-03 (Stratosphere-Climate links With Emphasis On The UTLS), integrated Project funded by the European Commission.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Ugo Cortesi
Institute for Applied Physics "Nello Carrara" (IFAC-CNR)
Via Panciatichi 64
Firenze
50127
Italy

Tel: +39 055 435939
Mobile: no
Fax: +39 055 432694
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation