Full Proposals for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Proposed IPY Activity Details

1.0 PROPOSER INFORMATION

(Activity ID No: 132)

1.1 Title of Activity
Climate of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean – Ocean Circulation Cluster

1.2 Short Form Title of Proposed Activity
CASO

1.3 Activity Leader Details
Stephen Rintoul
ACE CRC and CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research
Australia

1.4 Lead International Organisation(s) (if applicable)
CLIVAR
CliC
SCAR
WCRP

1.5 Other Countries involved in the activity
Germany
UK
Finland
South Africa
France
India
Netherlands
Japan
Italy
USA
Norway
Belgium
Spain
Brazil
Russia
Australia
Argentina
China

1.6 Expression of Intent ID #'s brought together in this proposed activity
109, 173, 180, 225, 284, 320, 567, 599, 604, 730, 770, 806, 924, 51, 596, 350, 584, 77, 283, 911, 485, 271, 117, 440, 108

1.7 Location of Field Activities
Antarctic

1.8 Which IPY themes are addressed
1. Current state of the environment
2. Change in the polar regions
3. Polar-global linkages/tele-connections
4. Exploring new frontiers

1.9 What is the main IPY target addressed by this activity
1. Natural or social science

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2.0 SUMMARY OF THE ACTIVITY

CASO provides an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the role of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean in past, present and future climate during the IPY 2007-2008 (see http://www.clivar.org/organization/southern/documents/SOIPY.pdf for a more complete description of the CASO science plan). CASO is organised into five themes:
1. Antarctica and the Southern Ocean in the global water cycle
2. Southern hemisphere teleconnections
3. Climate processes at the Antarctic continental margin
4. Climate – ecosystem – biogeochemistry interactions in the Southern Ocean
5. Records of past Antarctic climate variability and change

This proposal describes IPY activities grouped in the “Antarctic Ocean Circulation” cluster of EOIs that contribute to the goals of CASO.

Objectives:
1. To obtain a synoptic circumpolar snapshot of the physical environment of the Southern Ocean (collaboration with other IPY activities will extend the snapshot to include biogeochemistry, ecology, and biodiversity).
2. To enhance understanding of the role of the Southern Ocean in past, present and future climate, including connections between the zonal and meridional circulation of the Southern Ocean, water mass transformation, atmospheric variability, ocean-cryosphere interactions, physical-biogeochemical-ecological linkages, and teleconnections between polar and lower latitudes.

Outcomes/Deliverables:
1. Improved climate predictions, from models that incorporate a better understanding of southern polar processes.
2. Proof of concept of a viable, cost-effective, sustained observing system for the southern polar regions (including ocean, atmosphere and cryosphere).
3. A baseline for the assessment of future change.

Major field programs:
1. A circumpolar array of full-depth multi-disciplinary hydrographic sections and XBT/XCTD sections, extending from the Antarctic continent northward across the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, including key water mass formation regions (EOIs 109, 173, 225 284, 599, 730, 770, 806, 924, 51, 350, 283, 584, 911, 271, 440, 596).
2. An enhanced circumpolar array of sea ice drifters, measuring a range of ice, ocean and atmosphere parameters (108, 109, 51).
3. Profiling floats deployed throughout the Southern Ocean, including acoustically-tracked floats in ice-covered areas (109, 180, 599, 485, 596).
4. Current meter moorings to provide time series of ocean currents and water mass properties at key passages, in centres of action of dominant modes of variability, and in areas of bottom water formation and export (109, 173, 225, 599, 604, 806, 51, 596).
5. Environmental sensors deployed on marine mammals (77, 596).
6. Direct measurements of diapycnal and isopycnal mixing rates in the Southern Ocean (183).
7. Analysis of ice cores, sediment cores and deep corals to extend observations of Southern Ocean variability back beyond the instrumental era (109, 806, 51).
8. Bottom pressure gauges will be used near Drake Passage to monitor ocean currents, validate tidal models, and improve regional corrections to satellite altimeter products (567, 580).
9. Automatic weather stations, flux measurements in the boundary layer and drifters to measure atmospheric variability (pressure, winds, heat and freshwater flux) (108, 109).

The observations will be integrated closely with modelling studies using a variety of approaches (coupled climate models; high resolution ocean-ice models; atmospheric models; tidal models; Lagrangian diagnostics; 320, 284, 567, 580, 590,117).

2.1 What is the evidence of inter-disciplinarity in this activity?
The primary focus of this cluster is physical oceanography. However, the full CASO proposal is highly inter-disciplinary. The science goals of CASO depend on close integration between physical oceanography (of both continental margin and open ocean environments), biogeochemistry, ecology, sea ice studies, ocean-ice shelf interaction, meteorology, polar-low latitude teleconnections, and paleoclimate Much of the fieldwork will be carried out on joint multi-disciplinary cruises. In many cases, the achievement of CASO goals will require technological developments that require a close partnership between scientists and engineers. Observational work and modelling studies will be closely integrated. To achieve the goals of the broader CASO program, close integration is required between this cluster and a number of other clusters. A dialogue between Cluster Lead Projects has been initiated to ensure the integration occurs.

2.2 What will be the significant advances/developments from this activity? What will be the major deliverables? What are the outputs for your peers?
CASO will deliver significant scientific advances in each of its five themes. CASO will:
1. Antarctica and the Southern Ocean in the global water cycle: quantify the high-latitude contributions to the global water cycle, determine the sensitivity of the water cycle to climate change and variability, and identify the impact of changes in the high latitude water cycle on the rest of the globe;
2. Southern hemisphere teleconnections: understand the climate connections between low and high latitudes, including both atmospheric and oceanic pathways; determine the role of air-ice-ocean interactions in southern hemisphere variability and change; and assess the sensitivity of the modes of variability to future change.
3. Climate processes at the Antarctic continental margin: improve our understanding and models of ocean-ice-atmosphere interactions and ice shelf stability; obtain a snapshot of the circumpolar distribution of the complex system of coastal, shelf and slope currents; quantify the production rate of Antarctic Bottom Water and implement an observing system; measure the circumpolar volume of sea ice.
4. Climate – ecosystem – biogeochemistry interactions in the Southern Ocean: understand the impact of climate variability and change on Southern Ocean ecosystems, biodiversity and biogeochemical cycles, including the role of the Southern Ocean in the CO2 cycle.
5. Records of past Antarctic climate variability and change: use proxy records to determine the natural modes of climate variability on time-scales from years to millennia and improve our understanding of the mechanisms of abrupt climate change in the past, including the role of northern versus southern hemisphere.

By harnessing the resources of the global polar community, the cluster will deliver two major observational milestones that have been beyond the reach of individual investigators: 1) CASO (and collaborating clusters) will obtain the first circumpolar snapshot of the Southern Ocean environment, including physical, ecological and biogeochemical properties. 2) In collaboration with SASSI (Coasts and Margins cluster), CASO will observe the sub-ice circulation and water mass properties for the first time in the Antarctic.

The outcome for society of this research will be improved knowledge of future climate change and its impacts, from models that incorporate a more complete understanding and more effective representation of Southern Ocean climate processes; the establishment of an observing system that will provide an early warning system for climate change; and improved southern hemisphere meteorological analyses.

Results of the research will be communicated to the scientific community at conferences, workshops and in scientific papers, and to the wider community in the media, web sites and public forums.

2.3 Outline the geographical location(s) for the proposed field work (approximate coordinates will be helpful if possible)

2.4 Define the approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities?

2.5 What major logistic support/facilities will be required for this project?
Icebreaker
Ship recovery of buoys etc
Multi-instrumented platforms

Further details – We anticipate there is wide scope for sharing facilities with other IPY activities. In most countries, individual cruises will bring together teams addressing physical, biogeochemical, ecological and biodiversity projects (eg CASO, ICED, GEOTRACES, SASSI, CAML).

2.6 How will the required logistics be supplied? Have operators been approached?

2.7 If working in the Arctic regions, has there been contact with local indigenous groups or relevant authorities regarding access?

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3.0 STRUCTURE OF THE ACTIVITY

3.1 Origin of the activity
This is a pulse of activity during 2007-2009 within an existing programme

If part of an existing programme please name the programme – CLIVAR/CliC/SCAR/IPAB

3.2 How will the activity be organised and managed? Describe the proposed management structure and means for coordinating across the cluster
The CLIVAR/CliC/SCAR Southern Ocean Region Implementation Panel will take the lead role in organising and managing CASO. The panel’s work is supported by each of its sponsor agencies; CLIVAR in particular provides a part-time Project Officer. A CASO web site has been added to the panel’s existing web site to provide a central hub where detailed project plans can be accessed for each of the projects contributing to the cluster. The Panel will maintain and regularly update a map of planned field work and a list of contacts. This resource will help encourage integration between clusters, as well as between projects in this cluster. The interdisciplinary links will be supported by the newly formed SCAR/SCOR Expert Group on Oceanography.

In addition, some of the larger activities within the cluster have their own existing management structures, data management systems and regular meetings (eg IPAB). The cluster will act to bring these groups together and utilise existing structures where possible, rather than create new panels solely for the IPY.

The Panel has established links to the Lead PI for each of the EOIs in the Cluster in the development of this proposal and expects to follow a similar model as plans are developed and implemented. (Essentially the leaders of each of the proposed IPY projects form an informal steering committee that is the main conduit for coordination and information exchange.) The Cluster brings together research efforts from 14 countries and a large number of individual investigators; it is not feasible for one panel or steering committee to manage this activity at the level of individual projects. Rather, responsibility for securing funding and logistic support for projects will rest with the lead PIs of those projects. The Panel will play a coordinating role and seek to identify synergies and gaps.

3.3 Will the activity leave a legacy of infrastructure and if so in what form?
CASO will leave a legacy of a targeted, affordable, sustained observing system; a circumpolar snap-shot to serve as a benchmark for the assessment of past and future change; models capable of simulating interactions between climate, ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles, providing improved projections of future change; a well-integrated interdisciplinary polar research community; and inspire a new generation of polar researchers.

3.4 Will the activity involve nations other than traditional polar nations? How will this be addressed?
The cluster of activities described here involves scientists from 18 nations. Because of the infrastructure required for Southern Ocean fieldwork, most of the Cluster is made up of traditional polar nations. However, several of the Cluster activities provide an opportunity for nations to contribute to a larger program with a small investment (eg purchasing sea ice drifters or Argo floats, or assisting in their deployments).The Cluster will seek out opportunities to include scientists from non-polar nations on cruises and as participants in workshops.

3.5 Will this activity be linked with other IPY core activities? If yes please specify
CASO is strongly linked to other IPY core activities, including the following lead EOIs and many individual EOIs that contribute to each of the clusters:
• Synoptic Antarctic Shelf-Slope Interactions Study (SASSI, 9)
• Antarctic Sea Ice (270)
• Integrated analyses of circumpolar Climate interactions and Ecosystem Dynamics in the Southern Ocean (ICED-IPY, 417) (including SCACE, 16)
• CRYOS – state and fate of the cryosphere (607)
• Integrated Arctic Ocean Observing System (iAOOS) (80)
• IPY-GEOTRACES (269)
• Icebergs (21)
• Arctic and Antarctic Sea Levels (211)
• Census of Antarctic Marine Life (CAML, 83)
• Plate Tectonics and Polar Gateways in Earth History (PLATES & GATES) (20)
• Antarctic Natural Resources (CCAMLR, 148)
• Antarctic deep marine biodiversity (ANDEEP-SYSTECO, 111)
• Antarctic ice sheet mass balance (351)
• IPICS-IPY (203)

In addition, CASO will contribute to and integrate with a number of programs that are not associated with a particular IPY EOI, including the SCAR Antarctica in the Global Climate System (AGCS) program and a number of on-going monitoring programs in the Southern Ocean (eg the US and UK repeat sections in Drake Passage and Australian repeat sections south of Australia).

3.6 How will the activity manage its data? Is there a viable plan and which data management organisations/structures will be involved?

The Cluster will take advantage of existing data management structures developed by CLIVAR, other programs and international data centres. For example, hydrographic observations will be archived at the CLIVAR and Carbon Hydrographic Data Office; profiling float data will be sent to the Argo data assembly centres; and IPAB has a management and archiving system in place for ice drifter data. Where appropriate, data will be delivered in real-time (eg Argo; sensors on marine mammals). Some nations plan to establish national committees for IPY data management. The CASO web pages will provide a central point for data access through links to the relevant data centres.

3.7 Data Policy Agreement
Will this activity sign up to the IPY draft Data Policy (see website)
Yes

3.8 How will the activity contribute to developing the next generation of polar scientists, logisticians, etc.?
The fact that CASO will be tackling some of the great remaining challenges of polar oceanography will inspire a new generation of polar research leaders. The voyages and the chance to work on the unique data sets to be collected will provide an opportunity to attract the best students to polar research.

3.9 How will this activity address education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
In addition to the more traditional means of communicating scientific information mentioned above (eg workshops, journal publications, web sites), projects contributing to the cluster have proposed a number of novel approaches to enhance outreach, including presentations in schools, summer schools, exchange programs for young scientists, Teacher at Sea programs, and collaboration with museums and science shows. The RSV – INTREPID (81) “Royal Society of Victoria INTernational Research Expedition Polar Inter-Disciplinary Voyage” will provide an opportunity for outreach and training. Media and public relations opportunities will be actively sought out.

3.10 What are the proposed sources of funding for this activity?
Funding for individual projects will be sought by lead investigators from national agencies (as done for other major oceanographic research programs, such as WOCE and CLIVAR). The timeline for funding decisions varies between countries.

3.11 Additional Comments

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4.0 CONSORTIUM INFORMATION

4.1 Contact Details

Lead Contact
Dr Stephen Rintoul
ACE CRC and CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research
Castray Esplanade GPO Box 1538 Hobart, Tasmania
7001
Australia

Tel:          61-3-6232-5393
Mobile:   N/A
Fax:         61-3-6232-5123
Email:      

Second Contact
Dr Eberhard Fahrbach
Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Science
Post Box 120161, Bremerhaven
D-27515
Germany

Tel:          (+49) 471 4831-1820
Mobile:   N/A
Fax:         (+49) 471 4831-1797
Email:     

4.2 Other significant consortium members and their affiliation