Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #243: Carbon in Sea Ice: Fluxes and Biogeochemistry  

Outline
Recent studies over first-year sea ice have shown that it is not a passive barrier to carbon dioxide exchange but rather is an active participant in the carbon cycle, providing a significant carbon sink, at least at some times of the year. These observations contradict our existing models of sea ice structure and evolution, as well as carbon biogeochemistry, requiring extensive experimental and theoretical reevaluation of our fundamental assumptions. 1) We must refine and develop methods for directly measuring carbon dioxide fluxes above, below, and within the ice, in order to identify the specific conditions under which fluxes are significant. 2) We need to understand the thermodynamics of the inorganic carbon system in ice brines, i.e. at low temperatures and salinities and variable pressures. 3) We need to develop non-destructive methods for monitoring biogeochemical processes within the ice on time scales similar to those of the flux measurements, i.e. minutes to hours. 4) We need to develop 1- and 3-D numerical models of sea ice structure, geochemistry, and evolution. 5) We need coherent time-series experiments (in the field and in models) over seasonal transitions encompassing the annual cycle of ice formation, growth and break up and from different sea ice environments, if we are to quantify the global importance of carbon fluxes in ice, as well as to understand their controlling processes, variability, and potential for change. This work is being pursued by a number of laboratories in diverse polar regions, using various methods. Here we propose to coordinate the sea ice-carbon biogeochemistry work being done under the auspices of other IPY programs, in order to find the best methods and develop the most useful conceptual and numerical models of what is happening in the ice.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Theme 1: This project will provide a clear indication of whether carbon dioxide fluxes in sea ice are a major factor in the global carbon cycle or only significant under limited conditions. Theme 2: Only by understanding the processes controlling the gas fluxes in sea ice, the goal of this project, can we hope to predict how those fluxes can change. Theme 4: The discovery of significant CO2 fluxes in sea ice is still less than 3 years old and as such is an entirely new, as well as possibly revolutionary, frontier in polar science.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Belgium: Jean-Louis Tison, Université Libre de Bruxelles Denmark: Søren Rysgaard, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Germany: Thomas Mock, Alfred-Wegener-Institute für Polar- und Meeresforschung UK: David Thomas, University of Wales-Bangor Henk Zemmelink, University of East Anglia USA: Christopher Krembs, University of Washington

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
First year sea ice in both the Arctic and Antarctic. Otherwise, we can be extremely flexible as to specific locations, based on logistical and collaborative considerations. Access to multi-year flows would also be beneficial but is not critical.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 11/07 – 5/08      11/08 – 5/09      
Antarctic: 03/07-11/07      03/08-11/08      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Ice breakers with cold lab facilities are ideal, some work could be done at field camps. Specific logistical links: IPY programs ICCED, OASIS, and Amundsen; Danish laboratories at Young Sound and Disko bay.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Although not specifically an infrastructure legacy, the methodological developments proposed in this project would likely prove quite valuable in the future.

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

Because this project is intended to investigate fundamental and perhaps universal processes, we can be extremely flexible in adapting our program to logistical constraints. Indeed, the project will derive valuable scientific, as well as logistic, benefit from integration with other programs.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This project is linked to the endorsed IPY programs listed in section 3.1.

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?
Yes

This program is specifically part of the IPY projects 344 (OASIS; and subprojects 58, Pacific Sea Ice Observatory; 687, Circumpolar Flaw Leads; 695, Bromine and biogenic sulphate; and 901, Canadian OASIS), 417 (ICCED; and subproject 862, Antarctic Sea Ice Biogeochemistry), 673 (Icebreaker Amundsen), and 752 (Ecosystem Processes in Greenland).

How will the project be organised and managed?
As a small project bridging Arctic and Antarctic programs on sea ice carbon biogeochemistry, we expect that overarching organizational issues regarding logistics and implementation will be managed by the other large programs with which we are linked. The Centre for Ocean Climate Chemistry at the Institute of Ocean Sciences will provide the framework within which we will reconcile our methods and integratively interpret our results, including organizing meetings and personnel exchanges between the groups, allowing us to work together directly in the field.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
In addition to the conventional outreach vectors of institutional websites, newsletters, and school and scout troupe visits, we would make early contact with the Canadian Schools on Board program, to directly involve Canadian, and particularly Northern Community, high school students in our field programs.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
At the very least, the Institute of Ocean Sciences database can serve as the permanent archive for all the data from this project, if another database is not determined to be more suitable.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Canada: Through the C-SOLAS Phase II network, CFCAS, and strategic NSERC grants. Denmark: Proposals to the Danish Council US: Proposals to NSF Belgium: Proposals to the European Commission UK: Proposals for the projects CarbOcean and CO2 Uptake in Antarctic Intermediate Water; other proposals to the European Commission.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr. / Research Scientist Lisa Miller
Institute of Ocean Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
9860 West Saanich Road, P.O. Box 6000
Sidney, BC
V8L 4B2
Canada

Tel: +1 250 363 6673
Mobile: no
Fax: 1 250 363 6476
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation