Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Isotopic assessment of proglacial fluvial environment under global change  (INFLUENTIAL)

Outline
Worldwide phenomenon of glacier recession results in exposure of landscapes that are subject to enhanced modifications related to erosion and weathering. Polar glaciers of Svalbard have retreated considerably since 1920’s uncovering large proglacial areas. This highly dynamic environment might play some role in global biogeochemical cycling via impacts on riverine fluxes of suspended matter and solutes to the ocean as well as release or uptake of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Interactions between freshly deglaciated landscapes and the atmo- and hydrosphere are poorly known and require further investigations into their nature and related material fluxes. Recent changes in relative importance of sediment sources, suspended matter fluxes and sediment storage could be assessed by means of the 210Pb method. This naturally occurring radionuclide is used for determination of sediment accumulation rates in lakes but also on floodplains. Little is known about sources and pathways of 210Pb in the fluvial proglacial environment. Application of the method might help to assess changes in sediment storage and dynamics of other geomorphological alterations caused by glacier recession and increased runoff. Additionally, applicability of other disequilibria in the uranium series for geomorphological investigations in the proglacial zone will be considered. Investigation of fresh sediments will be supplemented by observations of their mineralogical composition, intensity of weathering processes and anthropogenic pollution. Carbon cycling in the subglacial and proglacial environments occurs through various transformations between particulate, dissolved and gaseous forms of carbon. Possible transformations include carbonate and silicate weathering, cryogenic precipitation of carbonates, interactions with atmospheric CO2 and microbial activity. All of these processes modify stable isotope signatures of interacting carbon species. Isotopic compositions of particulate and dissolved inorganic forms of carbon put constraints on carbon budgets and provide insights into the nature and dynamics of carbon transformations in subglacial and proglacial environments. Studies of carbon cycling in the Arctic under changing climate are important within the context of fate of anthropogenically released CO2. It has been suggested that glacial meltwaters might play a role in sequestration of atmospheric CO2 however this question remains not resolved. The study will include primarily observations of dissolved inorganic carbon concentrations and isotopic compositions in sub- and proglacial waters. Other water qualities related to carbon cycling characteristics will be observed: temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, electric conductivity, Ca2+. Sampling programmes will be related to diurnal fluctuations and to variability in the hydrological regime of glacial waters.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Theme 1: Very little is known about isotopic aspects of processes characteristic for proglacial environment in the arctic. Any observations will increase our knowledge in this field.Theme 2: Rapid change and unstability are characteristic for the studied environment. Proposed research will help describe the nature and dynamics of those changes. 210Pb will give information on varying hydrological regimes and suspended matter transport. Theme 3: Carbon cycling in the proglacial zone might play a role in global carbon cycling through sequestration or release of CO2. Isotopic investigations put constraints on carbon budgets and provide insights into transformations between different forms of carbon.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Not established yet.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Proglacial zone of the Werenskiold glacier, Wedel Jarlsberg Land, West Spitsbergen (Svalbard).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 07/05 – 09/05      07/07 – 09/07      07/08 – 09/08
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The project will use facilities of the Polish Polar Station and of the sub-stations as well as the worked-out logistics.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Accepted by Polish National Committee for 4-IPY 2007-2008

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?
New

The project is a new autonomous proposal.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be carried out mainly by employees and students of AGH – University of Science and Technology. This implies close cooperation between participants who work on a daily basis in the same institution. Such situation ensures optimal use of the funds and simplifies formal aspects of the project. This project and other projects carried out in the AGH within the framework of the IPY will be co-ordinated by prof. Andrzej Manecki who will represent the projects before the AGH and before the national and international institutions in involved in the IPY.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Participation of students and doctoral in the project is envisaged. Results of the project will be used to represent topics related to the polar environment in programmes of lectures at the AGH. Results of the project will be also disseminated through WWW pages.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management issues will be co-ordinated by the National Programme of Polar Research.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project will be funded from own resources of the AGH, from the National Programme of Polar Research. Applications for funds to international funding agencies, especially Framework Programmes of the EU is planned. Additional support for cooperation with German partners can be provided within the framework of bilateral Polish-German cooperation scheme.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Pro Jacek Rajchel
AGH – University of Science and Technology
Mickiewicza 30
Cracow
30-059
Poland

Tel: (48) 12 6173206
Mobile: no
Fax: (48) 12 6332936
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation