Abstracts
Poster and Presentation Abstracts for the State of the Arctic 2010
The deadline for oral presentations has passed; no additional oral presentation abstracts can be accepted.
Session chairs are in the final stages of abstract selection. Authors will be notified the first week in February, at the latest, in time to register at the regular rate.
Deadline for posters: Monday, 1 February 2010
There is no fee for abstract submission and you do not have to register to submit. Previously published work is acceptable.
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Poster abstracts are reviewed and accepted by ARCUS as they are received. Presentation abstracts will be reviewed by the Organizing Committee and Session Co-Chairs. Authors will be notified of acceptance in mid-late January.
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Submitted Abstracts
Poster abstracts will appear as they are received and approved by ARCUS. Presentation abstracts are currently awaiting approval and will appear once authors have been notified of acceptance. Abstracts are listed in alphabetical order by first author's last name. Presenters are listed in parentheses if they are other than the first author.
Poster Abstracts
Andrachuk | Bailey | Bales | Banta | Beaumier (Lardeau) | Ben Mustapha | Berner (Bunn) | Bian | Boot | Bourgain | Bourgain | Bryan | Cai | Calder | Caron | Cherry | Courville | Crocker | Deal | Denfeld | Drake | Eilmsteiner-Saxinger | Fay | Fetterer | Fleming | Forbes | Ford | Frey | Gao | Genet | Gleicher | Goldhar | Goldhar | Griffin | Groisman | Haley | Harper | Heller (Schnell) | Hough | Hutchings | Ivey (Cherry) | Iwata | Jackson | Jafarov | Janicek | Jia | Kargel | Kirievskaya | Kruse | Kruse (Berman) | Leclerc | Li | Li | Liljedahl | Lindsay | Liu | Lowe | Lugovaya | Lys | Malnes (Karlsen) | Matthews | Meier | Morata | Morata | Mueller-Stoffels | Mueller-Stoffels | Murray | Neely III | Olivas | Oltmans | Park | Pfirman | Pnyushkov | Pomerleau | Reyes (Lougheed) | Sagen (Bertino) | Schaeffer | Semiletov | Seok | Seybold | Shakhova | Simpkins | Sistla | Slater | Smethie | St. Hilaire | Stabeno | Stammler (Eilmsteiner-Saxinger) | Steffen | Stewart | Svendsen (Christiansen) | Timm | Timm | Tivy | Trachsel | Trachsel | Usenyuk | Villarreal | Walton | Wang | Warburton | Wartes | Weaver | White | Wilson | ZapatkaPresentation Abstracts
There are 294 abstracts awaiting approval.
List of Abstracts
Integrating Community Vulnerability Case Studies from the IPY CAVIAR Project
Mark Andrachuk1, Barry Smit2, Grete Hovelsrud3, Robin Sydneysmith4Abstract:
1Global Environmental Change Group, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Hutt Building, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada, Phone 519-824-4120, Fax 519-837-0811, mandrach@uoguelph.ca
2Global Environmental Change Group, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
3CICERO-Oslo, Oslo, Norway
4Department of Sociology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, ON, Canada
The Community Adaptation and Vulnerability in Arctic Regions (CAVIAR) project is based on assessments of the vulnerability of communities across the circumpolar Arctic to changing environmental conditions, including climate change. The research, under the auspices of International Polar Year (IPY), involves 26 case studies using a common framework and participatory methodology. The research outlines the ways in which communities experience environmental changes and explores adaptive strategies and adaptive capacity, including roles of governance institutions. This poster outlines our process for integrating and comparing CAVIAR case studies and highlights preliminary results.
The Community Climate System Model Version 4 (CCSM4) Sea Ice Component and the Challenges and Rewards of Community Modeling
David A. Bailey1, Marika M. Holland2, Mariana Vertenstein3, Elizabeth Hunke4Abstract:
1National Center for Atmospheric Research, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO, 80307, USA, Phone 303-497-1737, Fax 303-497-1700, dbailey@ucar.edu
2National Center for Atmospheric Research, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO, 80307, USA, Phone 303-497-1734, Fax 303-497-1700, mholland@ucar.edu
3National Center for Atmospheric Research, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO, 80307, USA, Phone 303-497-1349, mvertens@ucar.edu
4Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA, Phone 505-665-9852, Fax 505-665-5926, eclare@lanl.gov
The Community Climate System Model version 4 (CCSM4) is due to be released in late 2009. The new sea ice component of CCSM4 is the Los Alamos Sea Ice Model (CICE) version 4. This sea ice component contains many new numerical and computational enhancements in addition to several new physics options. The new physics options include an explicit melt pond parameterization, a new shortwave radiative transfer scheme, aerosol deposition from the atmosphere and cycling within the sea ice, and the ability to efficiently carry multiple tracers. A basic description of the new model will be provided as well as the impacts of some of the new physics. This work was carried out with the input of community members in the Polar Climate Working Group (PCWG). Aspects of community modeling in general will also be discussed.
Year-Round Major Ion Measurements at Greenland Environmental Observatory, Summit (GEOSummit)
Roger Bales1, Ryan Banta2, Joe McConnell3, Cyle Moon4, Liying Zhao5Abstract:
1Sierra Nevada Research Institute, University of California, Merced, 5200 N Lake Road, Merced, CA, 95343, USA, Phone 209-228-4348, rbales@ucmerced.edu
2Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV, , USA
3Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV, USA
4University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA
5University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA
Long-term year-round surface snow sampling at remote high latitude locations is fundamental to better understanding arctic geophysical processes. Research at the Greenland Environmental Observatory, Summit Station (GEOSummit) from 2003 to present includes high temporal resolution year-round ion chromatography (IC) measurements of surface snow and snow pit samples for Na, NH4, K
Year-Round Measurements and Results from Greenland Environmental Observatory at Summit (GEOSummit)
Ryan Banta1, Joseph R. McConnell2, Thomas A. Cahill3, John F. Burkhart4, Roger C. Bales5Abstract:
1Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV, 89512, USA, Phone 775-673-7442, Fax 775-673-7363, ryan.banta@dri.edu
2Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV, 89512, USA, Phone 775-673-7348, joe.mcconnell@dri.edu
3Arizona State University, P.O. Box 37100, Phoenix, AZ, 85069, USA, Phone 602-543-6021, Thomas.Cahill@asu.edu
4Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Kjeller, Norway, jfb@nilu.no
5University of California Merced, Merced, CA, USA, rbales@ucmerced.edu
Long-term year-round sampling of the arctic atmosphere and surface snow provide insight to the relationship between aerosol and snow chemical compositions. Current research at the Greenland Environmental Observatory Summit Station (GEOSummit) includes high temporal resolution year-round IC and ICP-MS trace-element measurements of surface-snow and snow-pit samples, measurements of snow accumulation and spatial variability, DRUM aerosol size and S-XRF elemental atmospheric composition and other meteorological and snow properties. These measurements allow for a better understanding of the timing and magnitude of the seasonal cycle in elemental concentrations that are deposited and preserved in the snow pack. Elemental concentration records were analyzed using a multivariate factor analysis model called Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) to identify unique source factors representative of sea salt, dusts and other potential sources such as biomass burning. The PMF source factors exhibit distinct seasonal cycles with significant year to year variability. Snow accumulation rates were concurrently measured, allowing evaluation of wet and dry deposition as well as quantification of the inter&ndashannual variability in seasonal snow accumulation. Source regions of specific events that transport dust or pollution from North America and/or Asia can be identified using the Lagrangian Particle Dispersion Model (LPDM) FLEXPART. Continuous longer-term records are fundamental to evaluate links between aerosol and snow chemistry to geophysical processes with multi-year periodicities (e.g. AO, NAO, etc.). Future plans include continuing research measurements at GEOSummit to better characterize elemental concentrations in snow and aerosols, annual to decadal variability in snowfall, and connections with atmospheric circulation and transport.
Food Insecurity Among Inuit Women in Igloolik, Nunavut: The Role of Climate Change and Multiple Stressors
Maude Beaumier1, James D. Ford2, Marie-Pierre Lardeau3Abstract:
1Geography, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC, H3A 2K6, Canada, Phone 514-398-4400, Fax 514-398-7437, maude.beaumier@mail.mcgill.ca
2Geography, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC, H3A 2K6, Canada, Phone 514-398-4400, Fax 514-398-7437, james.ford@mcgill.ca
3Geography, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC, H3A 2K6, Canada, Phone 514-398-4400, Fax 514-398-7437, marie-pierre.lardeau@mail.mcgill.ca
The territory of Nunavut has the highest prevalence of food insecurity in Canada, where over 50% of Inuit households are believed to experience difficulties in obtaining sufficient food. This significantly exceeds the Canadian average of 9.2%. Food insecurity is manifest when food systems are stressed such that adequate nutrition is not accessible, available and/or of sufficient quality. Several studies have reported food systems to be negatively affected by economic, social and cultural transformations and climate change. Inuit women have been identified to be particularly vulnerable to food insecurity and more at risk to climate change. Food insecurity can have serious implications for women's physical and mental health, and social well-being resulting in increased susceptibility to infection and chronic health afflictions. This paper examines how climate change might affect Inuit women's food security using a case study from the community of Igloolik, Nunavut, and drawing on a mixed methods approach, including semi-structured interviews with 36 women, focus groups with 19 women, and interviews with local and territorial health professionals and policy makers. Results show a high prevalence of food insecurity with 76% of women skipping or reducing size of their meals in 2008 and 40% reporting not eating enough food when food supplies run out. Multiple determinants of food insecurity operating over different spatial-temporal scales were identified including food affordability and budgeting, food knowledge, education and preferences, food quality and availability, absence of a full time hunter in the household, and the cost of harvesting. These determinants are operating in the context of changing livelihoods, addictions, poverty and climate related stresses, which in many cases are exacerbating food insecurity. The identification of pathways through which climate affects female food security in the context of other stresses is particularly important for policy responses to strengthen Inuit food security.
Detecting Sea Surface Temperature Fronts in the Beaufort Sea (Canadian Arctic) Using Remote Sensing Data
Selima Ben Mustapha1, Pierre Larouche2Abstract:
1Géomatique appliquée, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2R1, Canada, selima.ben.mustapha@usherbrooke.ca
2Institut Maurice Lamontagne, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 850 route de la mer, mont-Joli, QC, G5H3Z4, Canada, Pierre.Larouche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Recent observations indicated an enhanced open ocean primary production in the Arctic Ocean related to the reduction of sea ice cover. Polynyas play a major role in high latitude ecological and biogeochemical process. These areas have higher biological production than offshore waters. To study the possible impacts of changing physical processes on phytoplankton productivity in response to climate change we need to assess spatial and temporal variability of chlorophyll and to relate it to physical parameters. Satellite remote sensing is a powerful tool for monitoring key environmental parameters at global, regional and local scales. Fronts are particular physical features that play a major role in marine ecosystems. Their mapping is thus of great importance to study physical and biological correlation.
Recent study documented some fronts in the Arctic Sea and proposed a provisional classification of fronts using low resolution satellite data (9 km). However, there is a need to go beyond the mesoscale processes and address regional features in the southeastern Beaufort sea. The goal of this paper is to investigate the spatial and temporal variations of SST and SST fronts to detect regions where biological hotspots can occur.
An analysis of 11 years of high spatial resolution sea surface temperatures maps allowed the determination of the frontal occurrence probability in the southeastern Beaufort Sea. The Cayula-Cornillon algorithms for front detection and cloud screening were applied to the daily NOAA (AVHRR) images 1.1 km resolution from 1998 to 2008.
The use of 1 km resolution SST data allowed the detection of new features not previously described. Fronts can be detected everywhere but as the season progresses, fronts become more detectable due to solar heating of the surface layer. Our analysis indicates that some recurrent features can be identified in the summer time frontal climatology. The Shelf break front (SBF) and the Mackenzie river plume front (MRPF) have been more documented.
New frontal regions: Cape Bathurst Polynya hotspot front (CBHSPF), Mackenzie Trough front (MTF) and Amundsen Gulf coastal fronts (AGCF) were identified mostly driven by wind and tidal mixing along steep shelf slopes. These areas may be playing an important role in the biological processes. They could act as drivers to local enhanced biological productivity.
Remote Monitoring of High-Latitude Conifer Growth Using the Satellite-Derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index
Logan Berner1, Andy Bunn2, Andrea Lloyd3, Pieter Beck4Abstract:
1Environmental Science, Western Washington University, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225, USA, Phone (360) 650-6247, bernerl@students.wwu.edu
2Environmental Science, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, USA, andy.bunn@wwu.edu
3Middlebury College , Middlebury, VT, USA, lloyd@middlebury.edu
4Woods Hole Research Center, Woods Hole, MA, USA, pbeck@whrc.org
Satellite records are now becoming long enough to use for time-series analyses of vegetation dynamics. Past studies using the satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) have found declining growth trends ("browning") in some regions of northern high-latitude forests. The intent of this study was to investigate the relationship between NDVI derived from the NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometers (AVHRR) and annual rates of cambial growth within conifer-dominant forest stands. Tree cores were collected from 12 sites in central and eastern Siberia, as well as from 11 sites in northwest Canada. Sampled taxa included larch, pine and spruce. The tree cores were processed using standard dendrochronological methods to produce stand-level ring-width chronologies. Correlation analyses were used to assess the relationship between each ring-width chronology and annual maximum NDVI over the 1982-2008 period. Ring width and NDVI showed weak though significant positive correlations over the 27 year period. Furthermore, significant autocorrelation at a lag of one year was observed in the tree-ring and NDVI signals for stands composed of pine and spruce, both evergreen conifers, though not for stands composed of larch, a deciduous conifer. The similarities in autocorrelation within both data sets imply a connection between cambial growth and canopy development, which is detected by the satellites even in low to moderately forested environments. These findings suggest that NDVI derived from the AVHRR system has some utility in monitoring high-latitude forest growth, though also highlights some limitations and areas of uncertainty.
Vertical Structure of Troposphere in the Floating Ice Zone Over the Arctic Ocean
Lingen Bian1, 2Abstract:
1Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing, China, Phone 010-68406566, Fax 010-62175931, blg@cams.cma.gov.cn
2no contact info
The vertical structure of troposphere over the Arctic Ocean floating ice region (79~85.5°N, 144~170°W) is presented
by using the 58 times GPS radiosonde data obtained from the 3rd Chinese Arctic Expedition 2008. The results show that the average temperature lapse rate of the middle troposphere is 6.47°C/km. The troposphere height (temperature) changes with 8.0~10.7km (-59.4~-43.5°C), with a mean of 9.3 km (-50.5°C). The bottom height, strength of the stronger inversion in the boundary layer and the planetary boundary layer height presents an obvious diurnal variation. The stronger inversion bottom height and the planetary boundary layer height are left to 850m and 1000 m above at noon time from ~700 and 800 m at night time, respectively. While the intensity of temperature inversion remarkably weakened from night to daytime.
Composition of Dissolved Organic Matter in Arctic Soils
Claudia M. Boot1, Sean M. Schaeffer2, Matthew D. Wallenstein3, Joshua P. Schimel4Abstract:
1Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA, Phone 831-818-1987, boot@lifesci.ucsb.edu
2Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
3Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
4Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
The composition and molecular characteristics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in arctic soils are largely unknown. We are examining the chemistry of soil DOM as part of a larger effort to understand the biotic and abiotic factors driving the decomposition of organic matter in arctic soils. Current terrestrial carbon models have limited predictive capability for arctic soils partly because they were developed for temperate soils, and partly because they over-simplify the complex nature of soil organic matter. Our research seeks to link the activities of microbes at the molecular level to decomposition processes at the ecosystem scale, and to understand how they may be affected by rapid climate change.
This work focuses on characterizing organic components of soil pore water and in microbial biomass from different vegetation types at Toolik Field Station in northern Alaska. Vegetation types include wet sedge (Carex aquatilis and Eriophorum angustifolium), moist acidic tussock (E. vaginatum) and shrub (Betula nana and Salix sp.) tundra. These sites were sampled during winter/summer transitions in order to capture both growing season and winter dynamics. Soil pore water was isolated through centrifugation and is being characterized through the use of ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) in line with a quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometer (Q-TOF-MS). Microbial biomass constituents were isolated using chloroform fumigation and are being investigated for composition across seasons and vegetation types to examine physiological adaptations of these microbes to their environment.
We predicted the composition of DOM would differ among vegetation types due to distinct plant inputs and microbial communities, however, initial data from UPLC-MS analysis indicated no difference in wet sedge and tussock tundra soil pore water. Instead, the pore water DOM consisted of a common set of typical fulvic acid-like features along with a suite of approximately 40 small molecules ranging in mass from 191 to 636 amu. Quantification of microbial biomass constituents is ongoing with the expectation that winter sampling will reveal higher concentrations of cryoproctectants such as trehalose. The integration of soil pore water and microbial biomass DOM dynamics across seasons is the starting point for understanding how rapid climate change will affect these pools, and what the consequences of these changes are for ecosystem level carbon cycling.
The Water Masses Advections in the Arctic Ocean Over the Past Ten Years
Pascaline Bourgain1, Jean Claude Gascard2Abstract:
1LOCEAN/IPSL, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France, pablod@locean-ipsl.upmc.fr
2LOCEAN/IPSL, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France, jga@locean-ipsl.upmc.fr
The Arctic Ocean is subjected to oceanic advections which influence its' heat and salt balance. This affects in turn the water column stratification and thus the halocline, a very important physical characteristics of the Arctic Ocean. The warm and relatively fresh waters entering the Arctic Ocean by Bering Strait weaken the water column stratification at shallow depth, while the warm and salty Atlantic origin waters entering by Fram Strait or the Barents Sea influence the water column stratification at greater depth (300 meters). Therefore, the study of these water masses circulation and distribution is of first importance for a better understanding of the Arctic Ocean. During the 1990's, changes in the spatial distribution of these waters as well as in their core temperature were observed (Quadfasel 1991, McLaughlin 1996). Today, what is the situation? How did these water masses evolve during the last ten years? Here, we present indices created in order to quantify the influence of the Atlantic water (AWI for Atlantic Water Index) and the influence of the Summer Pacific water (PWI for summer Pacific Water Index).
The Arctic Ocean Halocline Variability Over the Past 20 Years
Pascaline Bourgain1, Jean Claude Gascard2Abstract:
1LOCEAN/IPSL, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France, pablod@locean-ipsl.upmc.fr
2LOCEAN/IPSL, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France, jga@locean-ipsl.upmc.fr
The role of the ocean on the sea-ice mass balance in the Arctic is still a matter of hot debates. The study of the cold and shallow halocline is essential to understand the mechanisms leading to the formation and/or disappearance of arctic sea-ice. According to Steele and Boyd (1998), the cold halocline disappeared from the Eurasian basin during the early 90's due to a shift in the atmospheric wind forcing that would have changed the location where fresh Siberian shelf waters flow into the deep Arctic Ocean. Boyd (2002) and Bjork (2002) announced the recovery of the arctic halocline in the late 90's. Is this kind of event unique or does it occur more or less regularly? Does this kind of event influence the surface layer heat content and consequently the sea-ice mass balance? What is the current situation in the context of a highly variable arctic sea-ice cover during recent years? Based on a large data set collected in the central arctic basin during the 4th IPY and the Damocles project, the main goal of this poster will be to address these questions and to provide some answers.
Yukon River Watershed—Northern Watershed Change
Rena Bryan1, Robert Busey2, William Bolton3, Larry Hinzman4Abstract:
1University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 757340, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, Phone 907-474-1556, rbryan@iarc.uaf.edu
2University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 757340, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, rcbusey@alaska.edu
3University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 757340, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, bbolton@iarc.uaf.edu
4University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 757340, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, lhinzman@iarc.uaf.edu
Changes in the terrestrial hydrologic cycle in northern watersheds can be seen through permafrost warming. We simulate present and future modeled permafrost temperatures in the Yukon River Watershed through known and projected air temperature data and information on the collection of buffers between the atmosphere and the cryosphere: the active layer, snow and vegetation. Our modeling methods combine a meteorological model with a permafrost temperature model in 1km resolution in the 847,642km Yukon River Watershed. The MicroMet model is a quasi-physically based model used to spatially interpolate irregularly spaced point meteorological data. We call on 1997–2007 data from 104 Integrated Surface Data meteorological stations and 100 grid points in the ECHAM5 A1B 2090–2100 projection. The Temperature at the Top of the Permafrost (TTOP) model is a numerical model for estimating the thermal state of permafrost. TTOP relates more readily available near surface temperatures to temperatures at the depth of seasonal variation using user-defined snow and landcover n-factors (to relate air temperature to soil surface temperature) and soil thermal conductivities (to simulate the propagation of heat through the active layer). We compare the present and future thermal stability of permafrost in the Yukon River Watershed to make light of vulnerable areas for changes to lake and wetland size and distribution.
Atmospheric Long-range Transport and Deposition of Emerging Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Arctic
Minghong Cai1, Zhiyong Xie2, Axel Möller3, Jan Busch4, Ralf Ebinghaus5, Jianfeng He6, 7Abstract:
1Polar Research Institute of China, No.451, Jinqiao Road, Pudong District, Shanghai, China, caiminghong@pric.gov.cn
2GKSS Research Centre Geesthacht, Institute for Coastal Research, Max-Planck Str. 1, Geesthacht, Germany, zhiyong.xie@gkss.de
3GKSS Research Centre Geesthacht, Institute for Coastal Research, Max-Planck Str. 1, Geesthacht, Germany
4GKSS Research Centre Geesthacht, Institute for Coastal Research, Max-Planck Str. 1, Geesthacht, Germany
5GKSS Research Centre Geesthacht, Institute for Coastal Research, Max-Planck Str. 1, Geesthacht, Germany
6Polar Research Intstitute of China, Shanghai, China, hejianfeng@pric.gov.cn
7USA
There are a number of major physical pathways (air, rivers and ocean currents) that transport organic contaminants to the Arctic. In the Eurasian Arctic the dominance of the Siberian drainage basin for river inflow, and the opportunity for northward flowing air masses to collect contaminants from European and Russian centres of industry, is quite significant. In addition, the northward flowing thermohaline circulation is likely to carry organic contaminants in surface waters to higher latitudes.
Organic pollutants are subject to a variety of processes in the Arctic environment such as degradation, settling, exchange with the atmosphere, advective transport, water-sediment recycling, bioaccumulation, etc. These processes affect the fate of organic pollutants in the Arctic ecosystem. There are now strong evidence for the long-range transport of classic persistent organic pollutants such as PCBs and HCHs from Asia, European and North American continents into the Arctic, while the occurrence and transport pathways of emerging organic pollutants are still not well understood. Additionally climate change may significantly influence the transport and environment fate of organic pollutants in the Arctic.
The project is focused on studies of the distribution and atmospheric transport of emerging organic pollutants such as perfluorinated organic compounds (PFCs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in the Arctic. Initial studies have been carried out at China Arctic Huanghe Station on Svalbard (July–August 2009) and in east Greenland Sea during German Polarstern cruise ARK-XXIV/3 (5.08–25.09.2009). PFCs and BFRs have been determined in air, water and snow samples collected during the arctic cruise and in the sediment samples from the Arctic. These measurements will improve understanding of the long-range transport and the fate of the emerging persistent organic pollutants in arctic ecosystem.
An Integrated International Approach to Arctic Ocean Observations for Society (A Legacy of the International Polar Year)
John A. Calder1, Andrey Proshutinsky2, Eddy Carmack3, Igor Ashik4, Harald Loeng5, Jeff Key6Abstract:
1NOAA Climate Program Office, Silver Spring, MD, USA, john.calder@noaa.gov
2Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA, aproshutinsky@whoi.edu
3Institute of Ocean Sciences, Victoria, BC, Canada, carmacke@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
4Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia, ashik@aari.nw.ru
5Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway, harald.loeng@imr.no
6NOAA Office of Satellite Research, Madison, WI, USA, jkey@ssec.wisc.edu
This poster takes a broad pan-Arctic approach to describe a plan for sustained ocean observations in the arctic region directed to providing societal benefits, focusing on fulfilling the ocean component of the Global Climate Observing System in the arctic region, while serving other needs as well. It describes the most important in situ platforms and addresses associated modeling and analysis activities. The paper starts with a description of the in situ Arctic Observing Network/System required for ocean physics, ocean biology and biogeochemistry, sea ice and the atmosphere over the Arctic Ocean. It also discusses remote sensing techniques for the Arctic, and issues regarding data management, organization and Exclusive Economic Zones. It concludes by stating that the key priorities for sustained observations appear at this time to be:
1. Estimating change in heat and fresh water content of the Arctic Ocean and monitoring the influx of heat and salt from the Atlantic and Pacific;
2. Estimating change in sea ice extent and thickness and observing the factors that control sea ice growth and melt;
3. Observing the seasonal evolution of land fast ice, coastal surface currents and coastal storm surge; and
4. Estimating ecosystem response to change in physical and chemical conditions in the ocean, including observing productivity, ecosystem structure and populations of key species and groups.
Adaptation Planning for Climate Change and Subsistence Economies in Two Inuvialuit Communities
Amanda Caron1, Tristan Pearce2, James Ford3Abstract:
1ArcticNorth Consulting, 6 Gryphon Place, Guelph, ON, N1G 4L7, Canada, amanda.caron@arctic-north.com
2ArcticNorth Consulting, Guelph, ON, Canada
3ArcticNorth Consulting, Guelph, ON, Canada
Climate change is already being experienced in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) in Canada's Northwest Territories (NWT) with implications for ecosystems and the people who depend on them. Changes in temperature, seasonal patterns, and sea ice and wind dynamics are affecting travel routes to hunting areas, community infrastructure and are exacerbating hazards associated with travel and subsistence. These effects have implications for food security, the integrity of buildings and transportation infrastructure, resource development and culture. This project is working with community members, local stakeholders, scientists and policy makers in the region to develop climate change adaptation plans. Working primarily in two communities (Paulatuk, Ulukhaktok), the project focuses on adaptation planning in five sectors: subsistence harvesting, health and well-being, culture and learning, transportation and infrastructure, and economy and business. The aim is to create preliminary, practical, community-driven adaptation plans to address the effects of climate change and develop a transferable model for community-based adaptation planning. This paper describes the methodology used to develop climate change adaptation plans and offers insights on preliminary findings from the work. Specifically, the paper focuses on the use of participatory community-based research methodologies to identify key exposures to climate risks, and identify and assess adaptation options.
Introducing the Bering Strait Research Consortium
Jessica Cherry1, Peter Schweitzer2, Lee Haugen3, Jim Lawler4, Joel Alowa5, Claudia Ihl6, Heidi Herter7Abstract:
1IARC and Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 930 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, jcherry@iarc.uaf.edu
2Alaska EPSCoR and Department of Anthropology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA
3Northwest Campus, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Nome, AK, USA
4National Park Service, Fairbanks, AK, USA
5Nome Eskimo Community, Nome, AK, USA
6Northwest Campus, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Nome, AK, USA
7Sea Grant and Northwest Campus, NOAA, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Nome, AK, USA
This poster describes a new entity known as the Bering Strait Research Consortium (BSRC). This consortium is designed to serve as a central forum for communication of cultural and scientific research activities to the public, data exchange, research synthesis, and research support information. Individuals or institutions with an interest in the Beringia region are encouraged to participate in BSRC. Interest in a consortium has grown out of the needs of researchers to coordinate their efforts and help communicate them to the general public and the larger research community. Coordination for the BSRC was partially enabled by the University of Alaska Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program, which has research integration and outreach at the core of its mission. Preliminary organization and goals of BSRC are discussed, as well as highlights of research and outreach from this past year.
Evolution of Firn Layers at Summit, Greenland
Zoe Courville1, Mary Albert2, Elyse Williamson3, 4Abstract:
1University of New Hampshire/Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab, 72 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA, Zoe.R.Courville@usace.army.mil
2Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA, Mary.R.Albert@dartmouth.edu
3Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab, 72 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA, ekwillia@hamilton.edu
4USA
The physical properties of snow determine the processes in the snow responsible for chemical and physical evidence of past climate information. These properties are continuously changing due to the nature of snow, and are important to understand in order to better interpret climate records from ice cores. For the past seven years, the physical properties of snow and firn layers in snow pits dug at Summit Station, Greenland have been examined. Summit Station is a year-long research station located at the summit of the Greenland Ice Sheet, an area that rarely experiences melt. In this region, snow layers persist year after year, are buried by subsequent storms, and undergo firn metamorphism, primarily driven by diurnal temperature gradients in the top two meters. Repeat pits at exact locations have been dug and analyzed for stratigraphy, grain size, air permeability, thermal conductivity and gas diffusivity. The spatial variability of the snow stratigraphy from small to large scale has been examined, as well as the temporal variability of the near surface snow. The evolution of the snow physical properties has been tracked over time. In general, we see an increase in permeability, gas diffusivity, and thermal conductivity as a snow layer ages. These changes in physical properties are linked to changes in the firn microstructure due to temperature gradient metamorphism. This work has helped to further understand firn air models of past atmospheric conditions, as well as help to support photochemistry experiments.
Performance Assessment of a Small LIDAR Altimeter Deployed on Unmanned Aircraft for Glacier and Sea Ice Surface Topography Profiling
Ian Crocker1, James Maslanik2, Scott Palo3, Chuck Fowler4, John Adler5, Ute Herzfeld6, Matt Fladeland7, Betsy Weatherhead8, Mark Angier9Abstract:
1Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, CCAR, 431 UCB, Engineering Center, ECNT 323, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA, crockerr@colorado.edu
2Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Boulder, CO, USA, james.maslanik@colorado.edu
3Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Boulder, CO, USA, scott.palo@colorado.edu
4Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Boulder, CO, USA, cfowler@colorado.edu
5University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA, john.adler@colorado.edu
6University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA, ute.herzfeld@colorado.edu
7NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, CA, USA, Matthew.Fladeland@nasa.gov
8NOAA, Boulder, CO, USA, Betsy.Weatherhead@noaa.gov
9Advanced Ceramics Research, Inc., Tucson, AZ, USA, mangier@acrtucson.com
The recently developed CU (University of Colorado, Boulder) LIDAR Profilometer and Imaging System (CULPIS) has been successfully integrated into multiple unmanned aircraft (UA) and deployed in the Arctic to provide glacier and sea ice imagery and surface elevation measurements. In July 2008, as part of the Arctic MUltiSensor Cryospheric Observation eXperiment (MUSCOX), the CULPIS was flown onboard the Advanced Ceramics Research, Inc. Manta UA to map a region of supraglacial melt lakes in the vicinity of Jakobshavn Glacier, Greenland. In July 2009, as part of the Characterization of Arctic Sea Ice Experiment (CASIE), the CULPIS was flown onboard NASA's SIERRA UA and collected surface topography data over more than 2500km of sea ice in Fram Strait. The CULPIS performance is assessed with respect to its ability to provide accurate surface elevation measurements and imagery suitable for cryospheric surface roughness and topography studies. Emphasis is placed on the system's capability of regenerating a known, ground-surveyed surface from data collected at altitude. Aircraft attitude and differential GPS corrections are examined to determine their effect on reducing surface elevation measurement error. A high-resolution digital elevation model for the Greenland study region is presented, and Fram Strait sea ice surface roughness and freeboard characteristics are discussed.
Modeling Large Scale Primary Production and Related Dimethyl Sulfide Production Within Arctic Sea Ice
Clara Deal1, Meibing Jin2, Scott Elliott3, Elizabeth Hunke4, Mathew Maltrud5, Nicole Jeffery6Abstract:
1International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 757340, 930 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, Phone 907 474-1875, Fax 907 474-2643, deal@iarc.uaf.edu
2International Arctic Research Center, Fairbanks, AK, USA
3Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
4Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
5Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
6Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
The consequences of diminishing arctic sea ice on marine ecosystems extend well beyond the loss of habitat. In addition to being the base of the ice-associated food web, algae living within sea ice are an important food source for pelagic and benthic herbivores and regulators of biogeochemical cycles. With reduction in sea ice extent and thickness comes changing spatial and temporal patterns of ice algal production and its release into the water column as well as altered dimethyl sulfide (DMS) emissions. An initial step towards including these processes in regional and global predictive models is to realistically model sea ice primary production on large scales. Proceeding along this path, we have coupled an ice ecosystem model to a global dynamic sea ice model to investigate large scale variability in ice algal abundance, primary production, and DMS production within arctic sea ice. The component models are the International Arctic Research Center (IARC) ice ecosystem model and the Los Alamos National Laboratory sea ice model (CICE). The coupled model results help fill in the large spatial and temporal gaps between sparse field observations of ice algal standing stock and productivity. The Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean basins were found to be the most productive regions (in terms of sea ice primary production) for different reasons. In the model, ice growth rate is key to controlling the availability of nutrients to sea ice algae and thus ice algal growth. The model study brings us closer to including the role of sea ice algae in carbon (C) flux, biogeochemical cycling and biosphere-climate feedbacks within global climate models.
Impacts of Watershed Characteristics on the Biogeochemistry of the Kolyma River Basin, Northeast Siberia
Blaize A. Denfeld1, K. E. Frey2, E. B. Bulygina3, A. Bunn4, S. Chandra5, S. Davydov6, R. M. Holmes7, J. Schade8, W. Sobczak9, V. Spektor10, Katey Walter Anthony11, S. Zimov12Abstract:
1Clark School of Geography, Clark University, Worcester, MA, USA
2Clark School of Geography, Clark University, Worcester, MA, USA
3Woods Hole Research Center, Woods Hole, MA, USA
4Department of Environmental Sciences, Western Washington University, Bellingham, MA, USA
5Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science, University of Nevada- Reno, Reno, NV, USA
6Northeast Science Station, Cherskiy, Russia
7Woods Hole Research Center, Woods Hole, MA, USA
8Department of Biology, St. Olaf College, MN, USA
9Department of Biology, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, USA
10Melnikov Permafrost Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, Russia
11Water and Environmental Research Center, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, USA
12Northeast Science Station, Cherskiy, Russia
The Kolyma River basin in northeast Siberia is currently experiencing accelerated permafrost degradation and alteration of the hydrological cycle owing to regional climate warming. The basin is comprised of a diverse set of subwatersheds that are underlain by carbon-rich, permafrost dominated Pleistocene-aged loess deposits. Warming temperatures may cause this stored carbon to be unlocked from permafrost and released to the atmosphere as CO2 and CH4, but also to adjacent streams and rivers as dissolved organic carbon (DOC). In July 2009, a survey spanning 242 km of the Kolyma River was conducted to describe the biogeochemical constituents of an assorted set of streams, rivers and mainstem locations. A total of ten subwatersheds and nine Kolyma mainstem locations were sampled, at which dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity and pH were measured. In addition, water samples were collected for measurements of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), and total dissolved nitrogen (TDN). Watershed areas were delineated in a GIS to extract watershed characteristics such as land cover and permafrost, which were then compared with our point observations of biogeochemical data from river sampling sites. Results indicate spatial variability in DOC concentrations, as small watersheds (less than 100 km
Transient Storage, Discharge, and Nutrient Uptake in Streams of the Kolyma River Basin
Travis Drake1, Erin Seybold2, John Schade3, Ekaterina Bulygina4, Andy Bunn5, Sudeep Chandra6, Sergei Davydov7, Karen Frey8, Robert M. Holmes9, William Sobczak10, Valentin Spektor11, Katey Walter Anthony12, Sergei Zimov13, 14Abstract:
1Carleton College, Northfield, MN, 55057, USA
2St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, 55057, USA
3St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, 55057, USA
4Woods Hole Research Center, Falmouth, MA, 02540, USA
5Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, 98225, USA
6University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, NV, 98225, USA
7Northeast Science Station, Cherskiy, Russia
8Clark University, Worcester, MA, 01601, USA
9Woods Hole Research Center, Falmouth, MA, 01601, USA
10The College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, 01601, USA
11Yakutsk State University, Yakutsk, Russia
12Water and Environmental Research Center, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, USA
13Northeast Science Station, Cherskiy, Russia
14USA
Discharge is increasing in arctic rivers and is predicted to continue to increase under future climate change scenarios. At the same time, permafrost thaw is predicted to increase with arctic warming, potentially increasing nutrient and organic matter inputs to headwater streams. Understanding how increased discharge will alter the ability of streams to process these material inputs is critical to assessing the potential impact of these changes on downstream ecosystems. Hydrologic factors, particularly transient storage of water as it moves downhill, are likely to change with discharge and to influence nutrient exports to larger streams. We used NH4 and PO4 enrichment experiments and conservative tracer additions to simultaneously assess nutrient uptake and the size of the transient storage zone in several small streams in the Kolyma River basin in Eastern Siberia. We found a clear negative relationship between transient storage and discharge. Moreover, phosphorus uptake was negatively related to transient storage, while nitrogen uptake showed no relationship with transient storage. Results suggest the transient storage zone is relatively inactive in terms of nutrient uptake. Implications of this result are an increase in P uptake and a decrease in the N:P of uptake as discharge increases. Given the possibility that both discharge and nutrient inputs will increase as permafrost thaws, longer-term nutrient enrichment experiments are needed to develop predictions of change in these ecosystems with changes in climate.
Labor Demand in the Russian Arctic: Long-distance Commuters in Hydrocarbon Industries as Impetus for Regional Development in the South
Gertrude Eilmsteiner-Saxinger1Abstract:
1Department of Geography and Spatial Research , University of Vienna, Universitaetsstrasze 7, Vienna, 1010, Austria, Phone +43 660 2118551, gertrude.eilmsteiner-saxinger@univie.ac.at
Labor force provision in remote and climatically harsh regions around the polar circle has been a major issue in the creation of a successful energy sector since the Soviet Union era onwards. Today extraction sites of hydrocarbon resources in Russia continuously shift northwards and arctic off-shore deposits are being prospected. Although in the Russian Far North the number of urban settlements exceeds that of other sub-arctic regions, the growing labor demand is met through long-distance commuters (LDC). This paper presents ethnographic examples of LDC who travel over distances of up to several thousand kilometers from central parts of Russia to the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District. Usually they stay 30 to 60 days at the work place followed by one month recreation at home. Labor conditions are challenging and have been degrading in the last years through the restructuring and marketisation processes of the whole hydrocarbon sector. The income average in the North is likely six times higher than at home in the south. However, money is not the sole impetus for people to take up a life on the move. In Russian regions like the Republic of Bashkortostan, where LDC is practiced already since forty years, it has become a particular lifestyle that is passed on to the next generation. Therefore, regions with large communities of LDC benefit through the workers' high purchasing power, extensive construction activities of private houses, the ability to pay for children's university education, etc. This leads to a diversification of the local economy. Furthermore, these towns and communities have strong links to the oil and gas companies that invest in local vocational training and petro-chemical university education. Although the demand of qualified workers in the sub-arctic hydrocarbon sector is high, informal connections and recommendations are still a prerequisite to get a job. Subsequently, LDC have also gate-keeping functions in their communities. The regions as well as the workers highly benefit from their ties to the Arctic. This paper will highlight the interrelatedness of the North with low-latitude regions in socio-economic terms as well as in terms of social practice.
Arctic Observation Network Social Indicators Project (OPP0638408)—Tourism
Virginia Fay1Abstract:
1University of Alaska Anchorage, Institute of Social and Economic Research, 3211 Providence Dr room DPL 501, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA, Phone 907-786-5402, Fax 907-786-7739, ginnyfay@uaa.alaska.edu
The Arctic Observation Network Social Indicators Project (OPP0638408) is intended to contribute to the development of the Arctic Observation Network and to the science goals of SEARCH in two ways: (1) develop and make available to the science community relevant datasets; and (2) identify gaps in the existing observation system and recommend appropriate actions to fill those gaps.
The project's tourism database currently consists of visitation data from 1980–Present for a portion of the circumpolar north countries; not all have consistent data sets back to 1980. In addition to visitor counts of various types, tourism related employment and earning datasets have also been collected. Datasets were collected to date for Alaska, Canada, Norway, Greenland, and Iceland at the place and regional levels. Variables include: Total visitors by year, total visitors by month by year, visitors by mode (e.g. air, cruise ship) by year, visitors by origin by year: domestic and foreign, visitors by origin by year: Scandinavian (for Scandinavian countries), visitor related employment by month by year, visitor related peak July employment by year, visitor related peak season employment by year (if not July), visitor related average annual monthly earnings, cruise ship passenger numbers by port by year, total visitor expenditures by year, and accommodation nights per year. There is relatively standardization in tourism data definitions or data collection by national agencies within each arctic country and data are not available for all variables. Standardization and/or comparability of time series data sets will be important for the future monitoring and modeling of changes in the arctic environment and associated impacts of expanding tourism especially as diminishing sea ice cover increases accessibility.
A significant problem with arctic visitor estimates is that most jurisdictions use sampling and reporting protocols that result in insufficient information to make reliable estimates for remote rural areas. As a result, there is inconsistent baseline information from which to track changes over time. These same areas may also be most vulnerable to potential impacts and changes brought about by expanding tourism development. The Arctic Observation Network Social Indicators project takes the first step in examining what kind of arctic resource change and associated human dimension data are available and how best they can be organized.
Glaciers, Snow, and Sea Ice: Observations of Arctic Change in the NOAA Data Collection at the National Snow and Ice Data Center
Florence Fetterer1, Lisa Ballagh2, Ann Windnagel3, Allaina Wallace4Abstract:
1National Snow and Ice Data Center, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA, fetterer@nsidc.org
2NOAA@NSIDC, Boulder, CO, USA
3NOAA@NSIDC, Boulder, CO, USA
4NOAA@NSIDC, Boulder, CO, USA
Since 1982, NOAA has recognized the University of Colorado's National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) as an adjunct member of the National Data Center system. Today, a small team at NSIDC (http://nsidc.org/noaa/) takes advantage of our position within a well-established polar science and data management institution to archive data and develop products that serve NOAA mission goals. We work to preserve past records though documenting and making digital copies of analog records, often in partnership with the NOAA Climate Database Modernization Program. The Glacier Photograph Collection (http://nsidc.org/data/g00472.html) is one result. We seek ways to make today's snow and ice data records from satellites more informative for users who may not be snow and ice scientists. The Sea Ice Index (http://nsidc.org/data/seaice_index/) is an example. In the future, we plan to work more closely with NOAA and other operational agencies to archive and distribute their products to a wider audience. We also anticipate contributing to a coming Climate Service. Work will involve improving data accessibility and providing interpretive information. Providing data in GIS compatible format through Web services, and showing snow and ice on virtual globes, are two areas of growing emphasis (see http://nsidc.org/data/virtual_globes/).
Arctic change is immediately visible in some data products such as glacier photograph time sequences. Other data reveal information about change when plotted or presented in some other way. It is not possible for us to work with all data sets to find the best way to present the information they contain, but some data sets are especially suited to some form of on-line visualization.
As Arctic system science will increasingly rely on access to data in near real time and seamless access to existing data, we see a future role working with developing observing networks and systems such as Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks, the Arctic Observing Network, and the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System. Here we will look for opportunities to make data acquired through these systems more visible and accessible to our large existing user base, and to create interpretive data products from data shared through these systems. In this way we hope to demonstrate how newly acquired data from observing networks can be layered with existing glacier, snow, and sea ice data, and accessed by the general public as well as scientists.
Responding to Climate Change in the Canadian Sub-Arctic: The Role of Formal and Informal Institutions
Laura Fleming1, Barry Smit2Abstract:
1Geography, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, lfleming@uoguelph.ca
2University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
The implications of climate change are already being observed in Canada’s sub-arctic regions. In conjunction with persistent social, economic, political and cultural stresses, Inuit in the sub-arctic self-governing region of Nunatsiavut are noting significant change to local environments including delayed sea ice freeze up, decreasing snow fall and pack and changing wildlife abundance and migration patterns. These changes are affecting the livelihoods and wellbeing of natural-resource dependent residents of communities that inhabit this coastal region of Labrador. Adaptation is necessary in order to respond and build capacity to reduce future vulnerability to climate change. Interventions via informal norms and practices at the household and community level are already underway (e.g. pooling resources for hunting excursions, sharing harvested foods). Adaptation in the Arctic is also shaped by formal institutions and their respective governance processes across local, regional and national scales. Further complicating these processes are the intersecting roles of western scientific and local Inuit knowledge systems in which these institutions and governance processes operate. This study provides an assessment of the influential roles that formal and informal institutions play in both facilitating and constraining capacity to adapt to changing conditions. It draws on insights derived through a community-based, multi-scale analysis of the institutions that govern resource use and access in the sub-arctic community of Hopedale, Nunatsiavut. This assessment also considers the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating different stakeholder knowledge systems into adaptation strategies. Existing socio-economic, political, cultural and environmental vulnerabilities are briefly summarized, and particular attention is paid to the pivotal role of institutions in enhancing capacity to respond to and prepare for future change. The applicability of these research findings in other arctic regions is also discussed.
Russian Arctic Warming and 'Greening' are Closely Tracked by Tundra Shrub Willows
Bruce C. Forbes1, Marc Macias Fauria2, Pentti Zetterberg3Abstract:
1Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Box 122, Rovaniemi, FI-96101, Finland, bforbes@ulapland.fi
2Biogeoscience Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada, mmaciasf@ucalgary.ca
3Ecological Research Institute, University of Joensuu, Joensuu, FI-80101, Finland, pentti.zetterberg@joensuu.fi
Growth in arctic vegetation is generally expected to increase under a warming climate, particularly among deciduous shrubs. We analyzed annual ring growth for an abundant and nearly circumpolar erect willow (Salix lanata L.) from the coastal zone of the northwest Russian Arctic (Nenets Autonomous Okrug). The resulting chronology is strongly related to summer temperature for the period 1942–2005. Remarkably high correlations occur at long distances (>1600 km) across the tundra and taiga zones of West Siberia and Eastern Europe. We also found a clear relationship with photosynthetic activity for upland vegetation at a regional scale for the period 1981–2005, confirming a parallel 'greening' trend reported for similarly warming North American portions of the tundra biome. The standardized growth curve suggests a significant increase in shrub willow growth over the last six decades. These findings are in line with field and remote sensing studies that have assigned a strong shrub component to the reported greening signal since the early 1980s. Furthermore, the growth trend agrees with qualitative observations by nomadic Nenets reindeer herders of recent increases in willow size in the region. The quality of the chronology as a climate proxy is exceptional. Given its wide geographic distribution and the ready preservation of wood in permafrost, S. lanata L. has great potential for extended temperature reconstructions in remote areas across the Arctic.
Real-Time Monitoring of Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation of Inuit Hunters: The Iqaluit Land-Use Mapping Project
James D. Ford 1Abstract:
1Geography, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, james.ford@mcgill.ca
Climate change is altering the physical, ecological and climatic conditions of northern Canada. The increasingly unpredictable nature of these environmental factors, coupled with broader socio-economic changes, is affecting the land-use of Inuit hunters. The Iqaluit Land-Use Mapping Project (ILMP) seeks to identify, spatialize and monitor the adaptive capacity and vulnerability of Inuit hunters via a holistic appraisal of their behavioral responses to changing conditions. Since December 2007, three experienced occupational hunters have carried Global Positioning System (GPS) units during their hunting trips, enabling the research team to compile detailed maps of the participants' hunting routes. In addition, the hunters have articulated their observations of landscape and biotic anomalies during post-hunt semi-structured interviews. GPS tracking data and interviews have been synthesized into maps detailing hunting route deviations as well as the conditions necessitating route alterations. The project's combination of scientific monitoring techniques and Inuit knowledge (IK) is helping to elucidate the changing adaptive capacity and vulnerabilities of Inuit hunters to climate change in the Iqaluit region of Baffin Island. Moreover, by documenting the extent of contemporary seasonal land use activities by some of the most active Iqaluit hunters, the project is providing data that will be valuable in developing regional land use plans for the South Baffin.
The Arctic in Rapid Transition (ART) Initiative: Integrating Priorities for Arctic Marine Science Over the Next Decade
Karen E. Frey1, Jeremy Mathis2, Christine Michel3, Anna Nikolopoulos4, Matt O'Regan5, Marit Reigstad6, Carolyn Wegner7Abstract:
1Graduate School of Geography, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA, 01610, USA, kfrey@clarku.edu
2University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA
3Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, Canada
4AquaBiota Water Research, Stockholm, Sweden
5Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
6University of Tromsø, Tromso, Norway
7Leibniz-Institut für Meereswissenschaften, Kiel, Germany
The Arctic is currently undergoing rapid environmental and economic transformations. Recent and ongoing climate warming which is simplifying access to oil and gas resources, enabling trans-Arctic shipping and shifting the distribution of harvestable resources, has brought the Arctic Ocean to the top of national and international political agendas. Scientific knowledge of the present status of the Arctic Ocean and the process-based understanding needed to make predictions throughout the arctic region are thus urgently required. A step towards improving our capacity to predict future arctic change was undertaken with the Second International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP II) meetings in 2005 and 2006 which brought together scientists, policymakers, research managers, arctic residents and other stakeholders interested in the future of arctic climate change research. The Arctic in Rapid Transition (ART) Initiative developed out of an effort to synthesize the several resulting ICARP II science plans specific to the marine environment and has been a process driven by the early career scientists of the ICARP II Marine Roundtable. To this end, the ART Initiative is an integrative, international, multi-disciplinary, long-term pan-Arctic program to study changes and feedbacks among the physical characteristics and biogeochemical cycles of the Arctic Ocean and its' resulting capacity for biological productivity. The first ART workshop was held in Fairbanks, Alaska in November 2009 with 58 participants, the results of which will help to develop a science and implementation plan that integrates, updates and develops priorities for arctic marine science over the next decade. Our focus within the ART Initiative will be to bridge gaps in knowledge not only across disciplinary boundaries (e.g., geology, biology, physical oceanography, geochemistry and meteorology), but also across geographic boundaries (e.g., shelves, margins and the central Arctic Ocean) and temporal boundaries (e.g., paleo/geologic records, current process observations and future modeling studies). This interdisciplinary, international and integrated temporal approach of the ART Initiative will provide a means to better understand and predict change and ultimate responses in the Arctic Ocean system. More information about the ART Initiative can be found at www.aosb.org/art.html.
Distribution Features of Nutrients and their Relationship in the Arctic Ocean
Shengquan Gao1, Jianfang Chen2, Hongliang Li3, Yong Lu4, Haisheng Zhang5Abstract:
1Key Lab of Marine Ecosystem and Biogeochemistry, SOA, Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA, China, 36 Baochubeilu Road, Hangzhou 310012, China, Hangzhou, 310012, China, gaosq88@163.com
2Key Lab of Marine Ecosystem and Biogeochemistry, SOA, Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA, China, 36 Baochubeilu Road, Hangzhou 310012, China, Hangzhou, 310012, China
3Key Lab of Marine Ecosystem and Biogeochemistry, SOA, Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA, China, 36 Baochubeilu Road, Hangzhou 310012, China, Hangzhou, 310012, China
4Key Lab of Marine Ecosystem and Biogeochemistry, SOA, Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA, China, 36 Baochubeilu Road, Hangzhou 310012, China, Hangzhou, 310012, China
5Key Lab of Marine Ecosystem and Biogeochemistry, SOA, Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA, China, 36 Baochubeilu Road, Hangzhou 310012, China, Hangzhou, 310012, China
DIN (DIN= nitrite+nitrate+ammonia), phosphate, silicate and dissolved oxygen in the water column of the Chukchi Sea and the Canada Basin were determined during the third Chinese Arctic Research Expedition in summer 2008. The results showed that the average concentrations of DIN, phosphate and silicate in the surface water were 0.55µM, 0.65µM and 4.44µM respectively in the surveyed area. The high concentrations of nutrients in the surface water appeared mainly in the southern area of the Chukchi shelf and the low values occurred in the middle area of the Canada Basin. The averages of N/P, Si/P and N/Si ratios in the waters above depth 100m were 3.63, 9.36 and 0.38 respectively, which were much lower than Redfield ratios. The depletion in DIN with respect to phosphate and silicate was predominantly characteristic in the most of the Chukchi Sea and the Canada Basin. The nutrient maximum in the water column of the Canada Basin is a distinctive feature due to steady, strong halocline, which separates the cold, relatively fresh upper layer from the underlying warmer, more saline Atlantic layer and hold back the exchange of water up and down. It was shown that the water depth of nutrient maximum decreased from 200m to 100m with the latitude increase (from 74º19.19?N to 85º24.24?N) and it was associated with potential density of sigma-t 26.5–26.8 in the surveyed area, suggesting that POM produced in the upper zone was held on the isopycnal surface while they sank down and nutrients were regenerated and accumulated in that depth. Good relationships between nutrients and AOU above the depth of nutrient maximum implied that nutrients at the depth of nutrient maximum originated from the decomposition of POM, whereas their relationships in deep waters were quite different from the upper waters.
Effects of Extended Growing Season on Seasonal Growth of Sphagnum Species
Helene Genet1, Steven F. Oberbauer2, Gregory Starr3, Behzad Mortazavi4Abstract:
1Biological Science, University of Alabama, 3086 Shelby Hall, 250 Hackberry Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA, Phone 205-348 3547, hgenet@bama.ua.edu
2Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA, Phone 305-348-2580, oberbaue@fiu.edu
3Biological Science, University of Alabama, 3086 Shelby Hall, 250 Hackberry lane, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA, Phone 205-348-0556, gstarr@ua.edu
4Dauphin Island Sea Lab , University of Alabama, 101 Bienville Blvd , Dauphin Island, AL, 36528, USA, Phone 251-861-2189, Fax 251-861-7544 , bmortazavi@ua.edu
The global increase in surface air temperature, mainly attributed to greenhouse forcing, is amplified in arctic regions because of feedbacks resulting from the retreat of sea ice and snow cover and the earlier snowmelt. A growing literature describes the effects of earlier snowmelt on vascular plants, but the response of Sphagnum species remains largely overlooked. This deficiency is mostly related to the poor understanding of its physiology and particularly its growth processes. However, peat moss communities play a critical role in carbon and water cycles in arctic tundra. To advance understanding of the effects of earlier snowmelt on growth of peat moss, we conducted a four-year-long snow removal experiment. The main goals of this experiment were: (1) to describe the seasonal dynamics of Sphagnum growth; and (2) to quantify the impact of earlier snowmelt on Sphagnum growth patterns. We hypothesized that the advantage of a lengthened snow-free season might be counteracted by photo-inhibition, frost damage, and greater water stress.
This study was conducted in a moist dwarf-shrub tundra, typical of the Alaskan Arctic. In half of the studied plots, early snowmelt was simulated by careful removal of snow cover approximately two and a half weeks before natural melt-out, from 1999 to 2002. Every ten days throughout the growing seasons, the vertical growth of 48 individuals was measured using cranked wire technique.
A significant synchronism of the seasonal dynamic of growth revealed a common determinism between Sphagnum individuals, without any effect of the treatment. The high interannual variability of this seasonal pattern suggested the large importance of environment compared to ontogeny in the determinism of growth. Overall, Sphagnum experiencing an earlier snowmelt grew slower compared to the controls. The correlations between height growth and climate parameters suggested that a lengthening of the growing season might be disadvantageous due to frost damage and lower water availability more than photo-inhibition. This decline of moss community may induce a decrease of the carbon sink capacity of these ecosystems and a decrease in soil insulation against moisture and temperature variations. A closer study of the response of Sphagnum growth to microclimate is needed to identify potential compensatory effects of other environmental parameters.
The Beaufort Anticyclone and its Role in the Climate System
Kirstin J. Gleicher1, John E. Walsh2, William L. Chapman3Abstract:
1Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Illinois, 105 South Gregory Street, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA, gleiche1@illinois.edu
2International Arctic Research Center (IARC), University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 757340, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
3215 Atmospheric Sciences Building, MC 223, Urbana, IL, USA
We aim to better characterize the Beaufort Anticyclone in terms of its spatial and temporal variability. The Beaufort Anticyclone plays an important role in arctic sea ice and ocean dynamics, and there have been few studies focused on this feature. In order to track the magnitude of circulation over the Beaufort Sea, a vorticity metric is calculated directly from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis sea-level pressure (SLP) fields from 1948 to 2008. For the spatial significance, calculated vorticity is correlated with the SLP for 90°N-20°N. Significant correlations show a strong opposite signal located over the Aleutian Low track in the Northern Pacific and over Northern Siberia, and show no correlation with the Arctic Oscillation node near Iceland. The corresponding NCEP reanalysis monthly SLP maps are used to create composite differences based on extreme states of the Beaufort Anticyclone. Composite differences show large SLP differences over similar regions as the correlated vorticity plots. The calculated vorticity values are also plotted in timeseries. These timeseries show relatively positive vorticity anomalies in the first 20 years, through 1968, followed by relatively negative years through the 1980s and returning to positive through 2008. The results of this study have important implications for sea ice transport and mass flux connections between the middle-latitudes and the Arctic over a spectrum of timescales.
Kalaallit Food Systems While Food Secure Are Vulnerable To Social-Economic-Environmental Stressors: A Case Study From Qeqertarsuaq
Christina Goldhar1, James Ford2, Lea Berrang-Ford3Abstract:
1Geography, Memorial University, St. John's, NF, A1B 3X9, Canada, christina.goldhar@mun.ca
2Geography, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke Street W., Montreal, QC, H3A 2K6, Canada, james.ford@mcgill.ca
3Geography, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke Street W., Montreal, QC, H3A 2K6, Canada
This poster presents results from an exploratory study of food security in the municipality of Qeqertarsuaq, Greenland, characterizing the vulnerability of the food system to stressors associated with climate and climate change in the context of changing livelihoods. The ability of community members to access culturally relevant foods of sufficient quantity and quality is discussed within a historic context of social, cultural, economic, institutional and environmental change in Greenland. Approximately 8% of Qeqertarsuaq residents were classified as food insecure in this study. While food security levels may be high in Qeqertarsuaq, the ability to obtain culturally (and nutritionally) important Greenlandic foods among women, Elders and non-hunters is limited. The Qeqertarsuaq food system is particularly sensitive to climate variability and change through the dependence of many residents on subsistence livelihoods and the isolated location of the community, leading to often unpredictable store food shipments. Recent warming has been linked to a reduction in sea ice extent with noticeable changes in the availability of seal and eider duck populations. As Greenlandic food security is contingent upon access to these highly valued foods, further research is needed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the current and future vulnerability of Greenlandic food systems to climate change. These developments are necessary to help achieve community food security in small, mixed subsistence-cash economies in Greenland and across the Circumpolar North.
Bringing Water To The Cabin: Vulnerability Of Drinking Water Systems Under A Changing Climate In Nunatsiavut, Labrador
Christina Goldhar1, Tanya Pottle2, Trevor Bell3, Johanna Wolf4Abstract:
1Geography, Memorial University, St. John's, NF, A1B 3X9, Canada, christina.goldhar@mun.ca
2Rigolet resident, NF, Canada
3Geography, Memorial University, St. John's, NF, A1B 3X9, Canada
4Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
Previous studies that document community observations of environmental change in Nunatsiavut have noted decreasing water levels in streams and ponds. Projected climate variability and warming may further diminish freshwater abundance, threatening community drinking water sources and influencing the performance of municipal water systems. Drawing upon the "Community Adaptation and Vulnerability in Arctic Regions" (CAVIAR) framework, this study assesses the current status of drinking water systems in Nunatsiavut and the vulnerability of these systems to present and future environmental and socio-economic changes through a case study in Kikiak (Rigolet), Nunatsiavut. The community case study will be situated within a regional assessment of water vulnerability across Nunatsiavut.
Within a mixed methods approach that integrates natural and social sciences with local knowledge, we have gathered community observations of environmental change related to freshwater supply, and have mapped reported changes in freshwater availability in the surrounding area. Data were collected through 89 household interviews (88% response rate), complemented by a review of the local climate record, downscaled climate scenarios, population forecasts, past performance history of municipal water systems, and a series of key-informant interviews.
Preliminary results confirm observations of previous studies noting decreased water levels of streams and ponds. Some former drinking water sources are no longer reliable, leading many to purchase water for land-based activities or to travel farther in search of freshwater, thereby increasing costs. Within the community, dissatisfaction with tap water characteristics has encouraged the continued access of traditional drinking water sources retrieved from running streams. The regular practice of visiting streams and ponds to gather water has increased local knowledge of freshwater attributes, sensitivities and seasonal and long-term variations, thereby increasing community capacity to adapt to current and future changes, reducing vulnerability.
Modeling Dissolved Organic Matter in Northeastern Siberian Lakes and Rivers Using Landsat TM and ETM+ Satellite Imagery
Claire G. Griffin1, Karen E. Frey2, Ekaterina B. Bulygina3, Andy Bunn4, Sudeep Chandra5, Sergei Davydov6, Robert M. Holmes7, John Schade8, William Sobczak9, Katey Walter Anthony10, Valentin Spektor11Abstract:
1Geography, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Box 874, Worcester, MA, 01610, USA, cgriffin@clarku.edu
2Geography, Clark University, Worcester, MA, 01610, USA
3Woods Hole Research Center, Woods Hole, MA, USA
4Environmental Sciences, Huxley College, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, USA
5Natural Resources & Environmental Science, University of Nevada - Reno, Reno, NV, USA
6Northeast Science Station, Cherskiy, Russia
7Woods Hole Research Center, Woods Hole, MA, USA
8Biology, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, USA
9Biology, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, USA
10Water and Environmental Research Center, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, USA
11Melnikov Permafrost Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, Russia
The Kolyma River in northeastern Siberia, one of the six largest rivers draining to the Arctic Ocean, has experienced significant climate warming over the past century and is poised to experience even more dramatic warming over the coming decades. The Kolyma River basin is particularly sensitive to climate change, as the region is underlain by vast deposits of carbon-rich Pleistocene loess known as yedoma, most of which are currently stored in icy permafrost. Understanding how soil carbon is released into rivers and lakes upon permafrost degradation is critical to assessing how regional carbon cycling may impact an already warming climate. Spatially extensive sampling is logistically difficult in this expansive, sparsely populated region with little infrastructure. We present a model that estimates chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in rivers and lakes in the vicinity of Cherskiy, Russia in northeastern Siberia using Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper (TM) and Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper-plus (ETM+) imagery. Twenty-one field samples were collected in July 2008 and 2009 from lakes and rivers along a ~250 km transect of the northern Kolyma River basin. Reflectance values and band ratios were extracted from TM and ETM+ images from July of both 2008 and 2009, then regressed against 21 field observations of CDOM. Regressing TM3 and TM1:TM4 against field observations produced the best results of R2=0.633. CDOM is an important factor in the spectral characteristics of Kolyma Basin rivers and lakes, and can be used to produce invertible models to spatially extrapolate CDOM across all lakes and rivers in an entire Landsat scene. This study is part of the Polaris Project, an NSF-funded undergraduate field program based out of Cherskiy, Russia (www.thepolarisproject.org).
Changes in Snow Cover Characteristics over Northern Eurasia
Pavel Ya Groisman1, Olga Bulygina2, Vyacheslav Razuvaev3Abstract:
1UCAR at NOAA National Climatic Data Center, Federal Building, 151 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC, 28801, USA, pasha.groisman@noaa.gov
2Russian Institute for Hydrometeorological Information, Obninsk, Russia, bulygina@meteo.ru
3Russian Institute for Hydrometeorological Information, Obninsk, Russia, razuvaev@meteo.ru
Data. In addition to a standard suite of snow observations across Northern Eurasia and its surroundings, we used in our study the national snow survey data set archived at the Russian Institute for Hydrometeorological Information. The last dataset has routine snow surveys run throughout the cold season each decade (during the intense snowmelt, each 5 days) at all meteorological stations of the former USSR, thereafter, in Russia since 1966. Prior to 1966, snow surveys are also available but the methodology of observations has substantially changed at that year. Therefore, this analysis includes only data of more than 1000 Russian stations from 1966 to 2009 that have a minimal number of missing observations. Surveys run separately along all types of environment typical for the site for 1 to 2 km, describing the current snow cover properties such as snow density, depth, water equivalent, and characteristics of snow and ice crust.
Background. During the past 128 years (since 1881), the annual surface air temperature in Northern Eurasia has increased by 1.5°C and in the winter season by 3°C. Nearby to the north in the Arctic Ocean, the late summer sea ice extent decreased by 40% exposing a near-infinite source of water vapor for the dry arctic atmosphere in early cold season months. As a result of these processes the following changes in snow cover characteristics have been observed: (a) in autumn the dates of the onset of snow cover have not changed noticeably despite the strong temperature increase in this season; (b) in late spring, snow cover extent has decreased, retreating by 1 to 2 weeks earlier during the past 40 years; and (c) in the cold season maximum snow depth and SWE (at open areas) have increased over most of Russia. In the western half of Eurasian continent days with thaw became more frequent.
Snowmelt duration and ice crust changes. Over Northern Eurasia, the snowmelt process can be lengthy but even the first such melt initiates a process of snow metamorphosis on its surface changing snow albedo and generating snow crust as well as on its bottom generating ice crust. Once formed, the crusts will not disappear until complete snowmelt. These crusts have numerous modes of impact on the wild birds and animals in the Arctic environment as well as on domesticated reindeers. In extreme cases, the crusts may kill some wild species and prevent reindeer migration and feeding. In the temperate zone, the ice crust can affect the winter crop yield.
Social Indicators for Arctic Resource Development: Observing Trends and Assessing Data
Sharman Haley1Abstract:
1Instiute of Social and Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA, Phone 907-786-5429, Fax 907-786-7739, afsh@uaa.alaska.edu
This paper reviews and assesses the state of data to describe and monitor trends in mining and hydrocarbon development in the pan-Arctic, and their social effects. The widely available measures of mineral production and value are poor proxies for economic effects on arctic communities. Furthermore, historical data is not available for much of the region.
The most critically needed improvement in data collection and reporting is to develop comparable measures of employment. The eight arctic countries each use different definitions of employment and different methodologies to collect the data. Furthermore, many countries do not report employment by county and industry, so the arctic share of mining employment cannot be identified. More work needs to be done developing conceptual models of effects of mining activities on fate control, cultural continuity, and ties to nature for local arctic communities. More work also needs to be done to develop indicator measures for ecosystem service flows.
The trends in mining activity that we found include stasis or decline in mature regions of the Arctic, and strong growth in the frontier regions. The biggest driver in the arctic frontier is the availability of large, undiscovered, and untapped resources with favorable access and low political risk. Climate change has diverse and regionally-specific effects, and does not contribute to trends overall.
Linking Weather, Water Quality and Health in the Context of a Changing Climate in Nunatsiavut, Canada
Sherilee L. Harper1, Victoria L. Edge2, Corinne Schuster-Wallace3, Scott McEwen4Abstract:
1Department of Population Medicene, University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada, harpers@uoguelph.ca
2Office of Public Health Practice, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Canada, Victoria.Edge@phac-aspc.gc.ca
3United Nations University-INWEH, Hamilton, Canada
4Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
Climate change is expected to cause changes in precipitation, runoff, and hydrological extremes that will alter environmental conditions. It has been argued that these ecological changes are very likely to increase the risk and incidence of infectious disease, including waterborne disease.
The overall objectives of this study were to: (1) gather, describe, and analyse comparisons of weather, water quality, and IGI-related health data in two Nunatsiavut communities (Nain and Rigolet) in Canada and (2) provide summary results in the form of educational material on weather, water quality and health for local residents.
Community-based meteorological stations captured weather data. Free-chlorine residual levels in drinking water were extracted from municipal records (2005–2008). Raw surface water was tested weekly for total coliforms and E. coli counts using Colilert© kits by trained local personnel (2005–2008). Clinic records provided IGI-related data (2005–2008). Temporal patterns of weather, water quality, and health variables were analyzed using seasonal-trend decomposition procedures based on Loess and linear regression. Knowledge translation activities included interactive workshops for local high school students that showed how data are collected and analyzed, and encouraged students' participation in development of educational media for communicating study results to the larger community.
Bacteriological variables for raw water had a significant positive association with water volume input (rainfall + snowmelt) in Nain. This study is the first to systematically gather and describe baseline empirical data on weather, water quality, and health in Nunatsiavut. It showed the necessity and feasibility of basic improvements in Inuit health data quality (and thus usefulness), and of monitoring environmental health variables consistently and systematically across all arctic regions. Our study engaged Inuit in regional research that not only had great relevance to them, but also effectively brought stakeholders together to use this generated knowledge collaboratively to create tangible interventions, prompt change, and support locally-driven development of new climate change initiatives and research.
Are Recent Increases in Atmospheric Methane Related to Arctic Climate Change?
Molly Heller1, Andrew Crotwell2, Lori Bruhwiler3, Russell Schnell4, Ed Dlugokencky5Abstract:
1NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory/CIRES University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA, molly.heller@noaa.gov
2NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory/CIRES University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA, Andrew.Crotwell@noaa.gov
3NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory, Boulder, CO, USA, Lori.Bruhwiler@noaa.gov
4NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory, Boulder, CO, USA, Russell.C.Schnell@noaa.gov
5NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory, Boulder, CO, USA, Ed.Dlugokencky@noaa.gov
Atmospheric methane (CH4), a strong greenhouse gas, affects background air quality because it is a precursor for O3 production. Measurements of atmospheric CH4 from air samples collected weekly at 46 remote surface sites show that after a decade of near-zero growth, globally averaged atmospheric methane increased during 2007 and 2008. During 2007, CH4 increased by 7.7±0.2 ppb. CH4 mole fractions averaged over polar northern latitudes and the southern hemisphere increased more than other zonally averaged regions. In 2008, globally averaged CH4 increased by 6.9±0.2 ppb; the largest increase was in the tropics, while polar northern latitudes did not increase. During the first half of 2009, globally averaged atmospheric CH4 was ~7 ppb greater than it was in 2008, suggesting that the increase will continue in 2009. There is the potential for increased CH4 emissions from strong positive climate feedbacks in the Arctic where there are huge stores of carbon in permafrost and hydrates, so the causes of these recent increases must be understood.
The sources typically responsible for interannual variability in CH4 growth rate are wetlands and biomass burning. Satellite and in situ CO observations suggest only a minor contribution to increased CH4 from biomass burning. The most likely drivers of the CH4 anomalies observed during 2007 and 2008 are anomalously high temperatures in the Arctic and greater than average precipitation in the tropics. In the Arctic, the unusual warmth observed during 2007 has been rare, but the occurrence of such conditions is predicted by climate models to become more frequent in the future, with a potentially large positive feedback on climate from the resulting carbon emissions. A return to zero CH4 growth rate in the Arctic during 2008 suggests the 2007 anomaly was part of natural variability, and not yet a sign that feedbacks in the Arctic have emerged as a significant term in the global CH4 budget.
Potential Impacts of Permafrost Degradation on Carbon Storage of Peat Soils in the Kolyma River Basin, East Siberia
Moira A. Hough1, Karen Frey2, William Sobczak3, Andrew Bunn4, Ekaterina B. Bulygina5, Chandra Sudeep6, Davydov Sergei7, Robert M. Holmes8, John Schade9, Valentine Spektor10, Katey Walter Anthony11, Sergei Zimov12Abstract:
1Biology, Carleton College, Northfield, MN, USA
2Clark School of Geography, Clark University, Worcester, MA, USA
3Department of Biology, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, USA
4Department of Environmental Sciences, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, USA
5Woods Hole Research Center, Woods Hole, MA, USA
6Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science, University of Nevada - Reno, Reno, NV, USA
7Northeast Science Station, Cherskiy, Russia
8Woods Hole Research Center, Woods Hole, MA, USA
9Department of Biology, St Olaf College, Northfield, MN, USA
10Melnikov Permafrost Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Yakutsk, Yakutsk, Russia
11Water and Environmental Research Center, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, USA
12Northeast Science Station, Cherskiy, Russia
The Kolyma River basin in East Siberia is covered with numerous peat-filled, drained lake basins (known as alasses) maintained by cool, waterlogged conditions. These alasses contain large deposits of labile carbon that may be susceptible to enhanced microbial decomposition due to climate change and subsequent permafrost degradation. These processes may impact not only carbon storage, but also carbon availability to downstream ecosystems if dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is exported from alas soils. We examined alas peats in the vicinity of Cherskiy, East Siberia to assess the carbon content and lability of frozen vs. thawed active layers of peat soils, as well as peat pore water DOC. Contrary to expectations, our results show no significant difference between carbon content in frozen and active layers of peat soils; however, within individual alasses there is generally greater carbon availability in the frozen layer than the active layer. There is also a strong positive correlation between soil carbon and water content in both frozen and active layers of peat, which is likely the result of faster decomposition in more aerobic layers of the soil column. Furthermore, both total DOC concentrations and lability in peatland pore waters were significantly higher than in any downstream ecosystem (i.e., streams, rivers, and the Kolyma River mainstem). This suggests that carbon inputs from alas peats may be rapidly processed by downstream systems. Thus, while carbon storage is highly variable among alasses, within individual alasses, permafrost thaw may result in a loss of peatland carbon stores as newly released carbon becomes available to microbial activity. Additionally, any factors leading to the reduction of water content may cause a further decrease in the storage of soil carbon due to increased decomposition rates. This may have profound impacts on the inputs of DOC to adjacent streams and rivers and to biological activity within these systems. This study is part of the Polaris Project, an NSF-funded undergraduate field program based out of Cherskiy, Russia (www.thepolarisproject.org).
Spatial and Temporal Characterization of Sea Ice Deformation
Jennifer K. Hutchings1, Andrew Roberts2, Cathleen Geiger3, Jacqueline Richter-Menge4Abstract:
1International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 903 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, Phone 907-474-7569, jenny@iarc.uaf.edu
2International Arctic Research Center, Fairbanks, AK, USA
3University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
4Cold Regions Research and Development Center, Hanover, NH, USA
We investigate sea ice deformation observed with GPS&ndashinstrumented ice drifting buoys deployed during late winter through summer in the Beaufort Sea. The Sea Ice Experiment: Dynamic Nature of the Arctic (SEDNA) was designed to investigate the relationship between strain-rate, stress and thickness redistribution of Arctic pack ice. In this presentation we focus on one of the four objectives of SEDNA: "Characterize the relationship between, and coherence of, stress and strain rate at 10km and 100km". Two nested arrays of six GPS buoys each, which were deployed in late March 2007 served as a backbone for the experiment. The two arrays were hexagons with initial widths of 140km and 20km. We assess whether there is a scaling relationship between strain rate and the ice area over which the strain rate is measured. Our findings demonstrate localization of strain-rate, with increased variability in the strain-rate field as spatial resolution increases. There are changes in strain-rate power across scales related to the passage of weather systems. During quiescent, anti-cyclonic periods, there is more power at the small scale. With the passage of cyclones there is enhanced power at the large scale. Coherence of strain rate between the two arrays is investigated with cross wavelet analysis. This shows a seasonal evolution in the coherence, which is probably related to disconnection in the ice pack, reducing stress transfer during the progression through spring. Finally, we present a coordinated strain-rate and in-situ measured stress time series, and identify the coherence between strain-rate(at two spatial scales) and internal ice stress, and how this evolves in time. All these investigations provide information relevant to the characterization of sea ice rheological models and will be released as a data set designed for model validation.
Planned Additions to the U.S. Department of Energy's Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facilities on the North Slope of Alaska
Mark Ivey1, Hans Verlinde2, Martin Stuefer3, Jessica Cherry4Abstract:
1Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, USA, jcherry@iarc.uaf.edu
2Meteorology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
3Geophysical Institute / Arctic Region Supercomputer Center, Fairbanks, AK, USA
4IARC and Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA, jcherry@iarc.uaf.edu
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) provides scientific infrastructure and data archives to the international arctic research community through a national user facility, the ARM Climate Research Facilities (ACRF), located on the North Slope of Alaska. The ACRF installations at Barrow and Atqasuk, Alaska have been collecting and archiving atmospheric data for more than ten years. These data have been used for scientific investigation as well as satellite remote sensing validations in the Arctic.
ACRF's role is to provide infrastructure support for climate research, including arctic research, to the global scientific community. DOE's climate research programs, with a focus on clouds and aerosols and their impact on the radiative budget, define the research scope supported by the Facility. This paper discusses the scientific infrastructure, data streams and archives, planned field campaigns, and opportunities for future collaborative research on the North Slope of Alaska. New instruments to be added to the Barrow and Atqasuk facilities will be discussed, as well as a second mobile atmospheric measurement facility developed for operations in the Arctic. This second mobile facility is expected to become operational in late 2010.
Characteristics of Methane Exchange in a Black Spruce Forest Over Permafrost in Interior Alaska
Hiroki Iwata1, Yoshinobu Harazono2, Yongwon Kim3, Masahito Ueyama4Abstract:
1International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, hiwata@alaska.edu
2International Arctic Research Center, Fairbanks, AK, USA
3International Arctic Research Center, Fairbanks, AK, USA
4International Arctic Research Center, Fairbanks, AK, USA
Methane (CH4) is a strong greenhouse gas, and it is expected that the CH4 emission will accelerate owing to the enhanced activity of microorganisms under projected warming. Most forest ecosystems are generally thought to be net sinks of CH4 due to the dominance of CH4 oxidization in the aerated soil. However, it is also known that forests switch to act as CH4 sources when the soil is in an anaerobic condition (Megonigal and Guenther, 2008). Hence, to accurately estimate the CH4 exchange in forest ecosystems, it is necessary to understand the responses of the CH4 exchange to changes of environmental conditions.
Since fall 2002, we have observed methane flux continuously using the aerodynamic gradient technique in a black spruce forest (64°52'N, 147°51'W) over permafrost in Alaska (Ueyama et al., 2006). The black spruce forest is 120 years old. The forest floor is covered with mosses, sedges, and shrubs.
The forest generally acted as a net methane sink; the mean daily exchange rate was approximately -10 mgCH4m
References
Megonigal, J. P. and Guenther, A. B., 2008: Tree Physiol., 28, 491-498.
Schlesinger, W. H., 1997: Biogeochemistry. An analysis of global change, Academic Press, 588p.
Ueyama, M. et al., 2006: Mem. Natl. Inst. Polar Res., 59, 156-167.
Suspended Particles in the Western Arctic Ocean from Optical and Bottle Data 2003–2008
Jennifer M. Jackson1, Susan E. Allen2, Eddy Carmack3, Fiona McLaughlin4Abstract:
1Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of British Columbia, 6339 Stores Road, , Vancouver, BC, V6T1Z4, Canada, jjackson@eos.ubc.ca
2Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of British Columbia, 6339 Stores Road, , Vancouver, BC, V6T1Z4, Canada, sallen@eos.ubc.ca
3Institute of Ocean Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, P.O. Box 6000, Sidney, BC, V8L4B2, Canada, Eddy.Carmack@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
4Institute of Ocean Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, P.O. Box 6000, Sidney, BC, V8L4B2, Canada, Fiona.McLaughlin@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
It is expected that coastal erosion, upwelling and increased river runoff from arctic warming will increase the concentration of suspended particles in the Arctic Ocean, yet very few studies have assessed the particle concentration and composition there. Here we analyze in situ transmissometer and fluorometer data from 2003–2008 and bottle-derived particulate organic carbon (POC) and total suspended solids (TSS) measurements sampled in 2006–2007 from the Canada Basin and surrounding shelves. By coupling these data sets, we explored the correlation of POC with beam attenuation coefficients for use in the historical assessment of POC concentrations from archived transmisometer data. We found that the high proportion of inorganic to organic particles within the western Arctic Ocean resulted in a poor relationship between POC and beam attenuation. We identified seven consistent high attenuation features and assessed their interannual variability. We found significant variability in the two most persistent features within the Canada Basin, particles within the summer halocline and particles within the chlorophyll maximum. From 2003–2008, apparent particle concentrations within the summer halocline increased and we attribute this to increased stratification that trapped more particles. In 2008, both the chlorophyll maximum and Pacific Summer water descended. We expect that primary production within the Canada Basin will be affected by the increased stratification, the sinking of nutrient-rich waters and by the increase in particles in the summer halocline. The former two will decrease nutrient availability and the latter will decrease light availability due to shading. These potential changes may in turn, lead to a future reduction of primary production.
Improved Numerical Modeling of Permafrost Dynamics in Alaska Using a High Spatial Resolution Dataset
Elchin E. Jafarov1, Sergei Marchenko2, Nancy Fresco3, Vladimir Romanovsky4, Scott Rupp5Abstract:
1Geophysics, University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO BOX 750686, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, eejafarov@alaska.edu
2Geophysical Institute, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, ssmarchenko@alaska.edu
3Natural Resources & Agricultural Sciences, School of Scenarios Network Planning, Fairbanks, AK, USA, nlfresco@alaska.edu
4Geophysical Institute, Fairbanks, AK, USA, veromanovsky@alaska.edu
5Natural Resources & Agricultural Sciences, School of Scenarios Network Planning, Fairbanks, AK, USA, scott.rupp@uaf.edu
Climate projections for the 21st century indicate that there could be a pronounced warming and degradation of permafrost in the arctic and sub-arctic regions. Climate warming is likely to cause permafrost thawing with subsequent effects on surface albedo, soil organic matter degradation, hydrology and greenhouse gas emissions.
In order to assess possible changes in the permafrost thermal state and the active layer thickness, the GIPL2-MPI parallel transient model was implemented for the entire Alaskan permafrost domain. For this study we used an input data set with grid boxes size 2km by 2km. Input parameters to the model are spatial datasets of mean monthly air temperature and precipitation, prescribed vegetation and thermal properties of the multilayered soil column, and water content, which are specific for each vegetation and soil classes and geographical location. As a climate forcing we used Scenarios Network for Alaska Planning (SNAP) data set (http://www.snap.uaf.edu/). The five IPCC Global Circulation Models that performed the best in Alaska: ECHAM5, GFDL21, MIROC, HAD and CCCMA were assessed according to how closely model outputs for the recent past matched climate station data for temperature, precipitation, and sea level pressure. The outputs from these five models have been scaled down to 2 kilometers resolution using the PRISM model (http://www.prism.oregonstate.edu/), which takes into account elevation, slope and aspect. All derived values are representing a single month within a given year for the five models composite, A1B emission scenario.
We performed more detailed analysis by calibrating shallow boreholes measurements with model outputs for available time periods. We have also corrected initial temperature distribution profiles for the better match with observed data. We compared ground temperatures at the depths of 2m, 5m and 20m for twelve decades from 1980–2100. The results of simulation show that by the end of the current century, the widespread permafrost degradation in Alaska could begin within the vast area southward from the Brooks Range except for the high altitudes of the Alaska Range and Wrangell Mountains.
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Diversity in Northeast Siberian Lakes
Max Janicek1, Kayla M. Henson2, Sudeep Chandra3, Katey Walter Anthony4, Andy Bunn5Abstract:
1Environmental Sciences, Western Washington University, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225, USA, Phone 360-650-4252, Fax 360-650-7284, janicem@students.wwu.edu
2Environmental Sciences, Western Washington University, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225, USA, Phone 509-570-3885, hensonk2@gmail.com
3Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada Reno, Mail Stop 186, 1000 Valley Road, Reno, NV, 89512, USA, Phone 775-784-6221, Fax 775-784-4583, sudeep@cabnr.unr.edu
4Water and Environmental Research Center, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, USA
5Environmental Sciences, Western Washington University, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225, USA, Phone 360-650-4252, Fax 360-650-7284, andy.bunn@wwu.edu
Benthic macroinvertebrates, and more specifically insects, have been identified as bioindicators of ecosystem health. A high diversity of specialized taxa indicates a healthy system, whereas highly adaptive taxa can indicate a disturbed aquatic habitat. Depending on their functional feeding groups (i.e. methods of eating such as shredding organic matter like leaf litter into smaller fine organic matter), macroinvertebrates change the matter available for food at low trophic levels. Unfortunately, there is little published research on freshwater macroinvertebrate communities in the Siberian Arctic, and more specifically in a region that is completely underlain by continuous permafrost like the Kolyma River basin. Thermokarst lakes of this region undergo constant formation and degradation (draining) resulting from frequent disturbance events to the near shore as permafrost slumps into the water from the actively thawing edge. There is substantial evidence that climate change is contributing to increased disturbance by promoting permafrost thaw. Disturbance at the margins of thermokarst lakes may be a control of macroinvertebrate biomass and diversity. Ultimately, the variability of macroinvertebrate dynamics may give insight to the amount of bioavailable carbon in arctic freshwater systems, which is expected to increase with warming. We sampled the macroinvertebrate community structure in the littoral and pelagic zone of these lakes. This snap shot of several different lakes gives insight to how these communities are correlated to specific lake parameters including water depths, mean dissolved oxygen, mean temperature, light (transparency & photosynthetic active radiation [PAR]), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrogen, ammonium and phosphorous. Preliminary analysis shows a high variability of macroinvertebrate distribution between and within thermokarst and floodplain lakes.
Satellite View of Changing Phenological Patterns Over Arctic Tundra Biome
Gensuo Jia1, Howard Epstein2, Donald Walker3, Yonghong Hu4, Compton Tucker5Abstract:
1RCE-TEA, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China, jiong@tea.ac.cn
2University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA, hee2b@virginia.edu
3University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA, dawalker@alaska.edu
4RCE-TEA, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
5NASA, Greenbelt, MD, USA, tucker@usgcrp.gov
The northern high latitudes have experienced a continuous and accelerated trend of warming during the past 30 years, with most recent decade ranks the warmest years since 1850. Warmer springs are especially evident throughout the Arctic. Meanwhile, arctic sea ice declined rapidly to unprecedented low extents in all months, with late summer experiences the most significant declining. Warming in the north is also evident from observations of early melting of snow and reducing snow cover. Now a key question is: in the warmth limited northern biome, what will happen to the phenological patterns of tundra vegetation as the global climate warms and seasonality of air temperature, sea ice, and snow cover shift? To answer the question we examined the onset of vegetation greenness, senescence of greenness, length of growing season, and dates of peak greenness along arctic bioclimate gradients (subzones) to see how they change over years. Here, we combine multi&ndashscale sub&ndashpixel analysis and remote sensing time&ndashseries analysis to investigate recent decadal changes in vegetation phenology along spatial gradients of summer temperature and vegetation in the Arctic. The datasets used here are AVHRR 15-day 8 km time series, AVHRR 8-day 1 km dataset, MODIS 8-day 500m collection 5 NDVI dataset, and CAVM vegetation classification. There were detectable changes in phenological pattern over tundra biome in past two decades. Increases of vegetation greenness were observed in most of the summer periods in low arctic and mid-summer in high arctic. Peak greenness appeared earlier in high arctic and declined slower after peak in low arctic. Generally, tundra plants were having longer and stronger photosynthesis activities, and therefore increased annual vegetation productivities. Field studies have observed early growth and enhanced peak growth of many deciduous shrub species in tundra plant communities. These changes in seasonality are very likely to alter surface albedo and heat budget, modify plant photosynthesis/respiration and soil microbial activities, and even change hydrological patterns in the arctic. Next step: data fusing and assimilation of multi-sensor remote sensing data time series with process models will be applied to create a comparable vegetation phenological dataset to improve our understanding on shifting of seasonality of tundra vegetation.
Alaskan Glacier Length and Area Responses to Natural and Anthropogenic Climate Changes and Non-Climatic Forcings
Jeffrey S. Kargel1, Gregory Leonard2Abstract:
1Hydrology & Water Resources, University of Arizona, 4350 W. Flying Diamond Drive, Tucson, AZ, 85742, USA, Phone 520-780-7759, jeffreyskargel@hotmail.com
2Hydrology & Water Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA, gleonard@email.arizona.edu
Are glaciers responding to anthropogenic climate change (temperature and/or precipitation), natural climate variation, or other forcings? Commonly, it is all of the above. Little doubt the total Earth record of glacier changes points to recent anthropogenic climate changes as the major source of glacier area and length shrinkage. In Alaska, a host of variable phenomena is at work. Length and area changes of McCall Glacier and other simple, nearly debris-free glaciers in the Brooks Range, are probably among the truest indicators of climate change; however, in those examples, the response times are one to three centuries
The Gulf of Finland Ecosystem Impact Assessment in Response to the Ust-Luga Port Development
Dubrava V. Kirievskaya1, Varvara V. Ivanova2Abstract:
1Geography and Geoecology, St. Petersburg State University, Poste Restante, Dubrava Kirievskaya, St. Petersburg, 199397, Russia, Phone +79046163705, dubrava.kirievskaya@gmail.com
2Research Institute for Geology and Mineral Resources of the World Ocean, St. Petersburg, Russia
The Gulf of Finland is the most pollute part of the Baltic Sea. Intense human activities are influence on ecosystem of the Gulf of Finland. One of the hot spots of the Gulf of Finland is the Luga Bay. For example, on terminals of the Luga Bay, we can study the impact of harbor installations on the ecosystem of the Gulf of Finland. Infrastructure of the Luga Bay is composed of various harbor installations. There are multi-terminal, plants infrastructure and "New Harbour-Streams". The main idea of our project is estimation state-of-the-art of the Luga Bay ecosystem in building and service of the project "New Harbour-Streams". In the field work we studied 20 sites for water sampling and bottom deposits. The relief (geomorphological traps, et al.) defines accumulation and migration of pollutants. We described depends distribution of petroleum hydrocarbons and the metals from depths. Geomorphological traps promote secondary pollution of the ecosystem. According to the research of marine water, we constructed maps of water quality. Sites with very clean water are not very much. In addition, we studied pollution level of sediments. Sediment of "New Harbor Streams" is weakly polluted, but in places to the north of the bay and in places of geomorphological traps, polluted sediment was found. Condition of "New Harbor Streams" ecosystem is generally stable. Introduced recommendations will not cause the ecosystem degradation and at the same time will contribute to economic and social development of the region. The results of ecological estimation of water area are suggested to use for estimation of influence of building and operation of constructions on ecosystem in the future. It is hoped that with all the environmental activities, ecosystem will not come to a catastrophic condition and not lose the ability to self-recovery.
Arctic Observation Network Social Indicators Project: Subsistence
Jack Kruse1Abstract:
1Institute of Social & Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage, 117 N Leverett Road, Leverett, MA, 01054, USA, Phone 413-367-2240, afjak@uaa.alaska.edu
The Arctic Observation Network (AON) Social Indicators Project (OPP0638408) is intended to contribute to the development of the Arctic Observation Network and to the science goals of the Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) in two ways: (1) develop and make available to the science community relevant datasets; and (2) identify gaps in the existing observation system and recommend appropriate actions to fill those gaps. The SEARCH Implementation Plan identified the following arenas of human activity likely to involve climate-human interactions: (1) subsistence hunting; (2) tourism; (3) resource development and marine transportation; and (4) commercial fishing. This paper seeks to develop and assess subsistence datasets in arctic North America.
The project's Alaska-Northern Canada subsistence database consists of 1,521 place/year records of which 631 records include estimates of harvest of all resources as well as harvests of specific resources. Separate harvest reports are available for 131 species and seven resource categories (e.g., large land mammals, salmon) as well as total harvest. Harvests are expressed as kilograms of edible harvest per capita. There is no existing network of comprehensive harvest studies in arctic North America. Analysis of 631 comprehensive community harvest surveys shows that measuring harvests of top ten species in each community accounts for a mean of 90 percent of total harvest. This finding has major implications for the feasibility of conducting economical, targeted harvest surveys in communities participating in the AON network. The paper recommends international pilot testing of targeted harvest surveys in collaboration with participating communities. This approach can be part of a community-based observation network.
Arctic Observation Network Social Indicators Project: Overview
Jack Kruse1, Matt Berman2, Sharman Haley3, Ginny Fay4, Larry Hamilton5, Sharman Haley6, Marie Lowe7Abstract:
1Institute of Social & Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA, Phone 413-367-2240, afjak@uaa.alaska.edu
2Institute of Social & Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA, Phone 907-786-5426, auiser@uaa.alaska.edu
3Institute of Social & Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA, Phone 907-786-5429, afsh@uaa.alaska.edu
4Institute of Social & Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA, Phone 907-786-5402, ginnyfay@uaa.alaska.edu
5Sociology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 03824-3509, USA, Phone 603-862-1859, larry.hamilton@unh.edu
6Institute of Social & Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA, Phone 907-786-5429, afsh@uaa.alaska.edu
7Institute of Social & Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA, Phone 907-786-6534, afmel@uaa.alaska.edu
The Arctic Observation Network Social Indicators Project (OPP0638408) is intended to contribute to the development of the Arctic Observation Network and to the science goals of the Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) in two ways: (1) develop and make available to the science community relevant datasets; and (2) identify gaps in the existing observation system and recommend appropriate actions to fill those gaps.
The SEARCH Implementation Plan identified the following arenas of human activity likely to involve climate-human interactions: (1) subsistence hunting; (2) tourism; (3) resource development and marine transportation; and (4) commercial fishing. This project seeks to develop and assess datasets in these four areas.
Again drawing from the SEARCH Implementation Plan priorities, the project also seeks to develop and assess datasets measuring social outcomes. In collaboration with the Arctic Council's Arctic Social Indicators working group, this builds on the recommendations of the Arctic Human Development Report by focusing on datasets in six areas: (1) material well-being; (2) cultural continuity; (3) education; (4) health and demography; (5) ties with nature; and (6) fate control.
Seasonal Hydrographical Variations in a Sub-arctic Fjord System, Porsangerfjord
Lisa Marie Leclerc1, Ole-Petter Pedersen2, Harald Loeng3Abstract:
1Norwegian College of Fishery Science, University of Tromsø, 6 Tungeven D-21, Tromsø, 9018, Norway, Phone +47-909-70-917, lisa.leclerc@npolar.no
2Deparment of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway, ole.p.pedersen@uit.no
3Havforskningsinstituttet/Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway, harald.loeng@imr.no
During the past 30 years, significant biological and physical changes have been observed in a sub-arctic fjord system (Porsangerfjord) in northern Norway. In order to assess this change and to get a clear understanding of the seasonal variation of the physical parameters in this fjord system, a candidate year, 2006, was chosen. This was done due to the extensive temporal and spatial data coverage of this year. Temperature and salinity profiles were sampled at ten different CTD stations in this fjord system by a routine environmental survey program (Havmiljødata). In addition, temperature and the river's discharge were investigated. In May, development of a surface layer was strongly correlated by the fresh water discharge from three major river systems in this fjord; an increase of irradiance. In July, southerly winds induced the advection of denser fjord water in an offshore direction and this water was replaced by lighter Norwegian coastal water. However, northerly winds led to the intrusion of denser Atlantic water in November. This study shows the importance of the concerted dynamics of estuarine circulation (density driven circulation) and wind-driven circulation in fjord systems. The spatial gradient of the observed physical parameters between the inner and outer fjord basin could potentially lead to faunistic gradients, change in community structure and could be linked to the ongoing observed biological changes.
Bacterial Diversity in Surface Sediments from the Pacific Arctic Ocean
Huirong Li1, Yong Yu2, Wei Luo3, Yinxin Zeng4, Bo Chen5Abstract:
1Polar Biological Science Division, Polar Research Institute of China, 451 Jinqiao Road, Shanghai, 200136, China, Phone 86-21-58717207, Fax 86-21-58711663, lihuirong@pric.gov.cn
2Polar Research Institute of China, Shanghai, China
3Polar Research Institute of China, Shanghai, China
4Polar Research Institute of China, Shanghai, China
5Polar Institute of China, Shanghai, China
16S ribosomal DNA clone library analysis was performed to assess bacterial diversity within four surface sediment samples (0–5cm) collected from the Pacific Arctic Ocean. The nearly complete length of 16S rDNA was obtained for 463 clones from four libraries and 13 distinct major lineages of Bacteria were defined (?, ?, ?, ?and ?-Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Planctomycetes, Spirochaetes, and Verrucomicrobia). ?, ?, and ?-Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria were common phylogenetic groups from all the sediments. Particularly, the ?-Proteobacteria was the dominant bacterial lineage, which represented near or over 50% of the clone libraries. Over 35% of ?-Proteobacteria clones of four clone libraries were closely related to cultured bacterial isolates with similarity values ranging from 94 to 100%. The community composition was different among sampling sites, which potentially was related to geochemical difference.
A Multi-Proxies Reconstruction of Biological Productivity in the Chukchi Sea for the Past 4.2 Kyr
Hongliang Li1, Jianfang Chen2, Haiyan Jin3, MingMing Jin4, HaiSheng Zhang5, 6Abstract:
1The Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA, Hangzhou, China, gambooli@hotmail.com
2The Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA, Hangzhou, China, Biogeo_Chen@hotmail.com
3The Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA, Hangzhou, China, Goldsea@hotmail.com
4The Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA, Hangzhou, China, Jinmm@hotmail.com
5The Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA, Hangzhou, China, Zhanghs@hotmail.com
6USA
A 340m sediment core located in the Chukchi Shelf (Arctic Ocean) has been studied to reconstruct rapid variations of paleoproductivity under the global warming, waning of the ice-sheets and changing of nutrients supply (via Bering Strait from North Pacific Ocean and surrounding large rivers) over the last 4.2kyr. The dating of stratigraphy of the core is based on
Present and Future Soil Moisture Variations at an Arctic Wetland: Implications for Water Vapor and Carbon Fluxes
Anna Liljedahl1, Larry D. Hinzman2, Craig E. Tweedie3, Donatella Zona4, Walter C. Oechel5Abstract:
1International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 753851, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, Phone 907-474-1951, akliljedahl@alaska.edu
2International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA, lhinzman@iarc.uaf.edu
3Biological Sciences, University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA, ctweedie@utep.edu
4Center for Spatial Technologies and Remote Sensing, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA, dzona@ucdavis.edu
5Global Change Research Group, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA, oechel@sunstroke.sdsu.edu
Soil moisture exerts a strong control on the amounts and types of greenhouse gases released to the atmosphere. Here we aim to reduce the uncertainty of soil water projections at fine scales in order to refine our understanding of the future fate of arctic wetlands as well as the strength of positive feedbacks to the Earth system. We applied the Water Balance Simulation Model ETH (WaSiM-ETH), a deterministic spatially distributed hydrological model, to an intensively studied wetland in northern Alaska. End-of-21st century hydrological projections were forced with the ECHAM5 720 ppm stabilization experiment.
The water balance of these wetlands is highly dependent upon small scale topographical features. A large portion of the study watershed is represented by a drained thaw lake basin that exhibits low hydraulic gradients with the main topographical variations represented by high and low centered polygons. The low-centered polygons complicate hydrological modeling efforts by favoring ponding and reducing runoff. Evapotranspiration currently represents the major pathway of water loss from these wetlands, although the rates are somewhat suppressed by the presence of maritime air masses and in some years also by near-surface soil moisture. We applied and validated WaSiM-ETH on measured runoff, evapotranspiration and spatially distributed water table observations. Important processes represented in WaSiM-ETH includes a) a simple empirical formula representing the seasonal freezing and thawing of the active layer that is essential to include in order to successfully simulate the hydrologic regime in permafrost regions, b) a dynamic linkage between soil moisture and evapotranspiration and, c) a surface routing module allowing a dynamic generation of ponds. We show that WaSiM-ETH allows for a realistic representation of the water balance in these wetlands and is a powerful tool to project future hydrological stores and fluxes.
A New Unified Sea Ice Thickness Climate Data Record
Ron Lindsay1Abstract:
1Polar Science Center, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, 1013 NE 40th Street, Seattle, WA, 98117, USA, lindsay@apl.washington.edu
We are creating a new unified sea ice thickness climate data set to better intercompare different ice thickness measurements, to better evaluate the changing state of the ice pack and to better validate sea ice models. We would greatly improve the usefulness of these valuable data for the entire polar research community. Existing observations of ice thickness span a variety of methods, accuracies, and temporal and spatial scales and are archived in a variety of different locations and in different formats. Each has its own strengths in terms of sampling or accuracy. A concerted effort to collect as many observations as possible in one place, with consistent formats, and with clear and abundant documentation will allow the community to better utilize what is now a considerable body of observations. With a variety of data in one location and format, it will be much easier to compare the different sources with each other and with model output.
We target the wealth of data from both polar regions that are now available from moored and submarine-based upward looking sonar (ULS) instruments, airborne electromagnetic (EM) induction instruments, and satellite laser altimeters (ICESat). These instruments offer adequate sampling dating from 1975 to establish the mean ice thickness and thickness distribution for scales generally appropriate for change detection and climate model validations. The proposed data set will be the best approximation to a reference data set that is possible to assemble for sea ice thickness and only by using all of the available data and analyzing all of the biases will we obtain a reliable and extensive record of how the ice pack is changing.
Sea ice thickness is perhaps, the most important climate state variable that is currently poorly observed, poorly documented, and poorly archived. We as a community can do much better and a unified sea ice thickness data set is an important step forward. The new archive will be a valuable baseline and a continuously growing resource for ongoing work by many groups in understanding, predicting, and adapting to changes in the polar regions.
The Size-fractionated Chlorophyll; a Concentration and Primary Productivity in the Bering Sea in the Summer of 2008
Zilin Liu1, Jianfang Chen2, Shengquan Gao3, Hongliang Li4, Haisheng Zhang5, 6Abstract:
1The Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA, Hangzhou, China, zilin1789@sina.com
2The Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA, Hangzhou, China, Biogeo_chen@hotmail.com
3The Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA, Hangzhou, China, gaosq88@163.com
4The Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA, Hangzhou, China, gambooli@hotmail.com
5The Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA, Hangzhou, China, Zhanghs@hotmail.com
6USA
Investigations of standing stock of phytoplankton (chlorophyll a) and primary productivity were carried out in the lines BR, NB and BS in the Bering Sea during the 3nd Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition in July 2008. The size-fractionated chlorophyll a and primary productivity were determined in some surveyed stations. The results showed that chlorophyll a concentration and primary productivity appeared obviously areal characteristics. The surface chlorophyll a concentration were 0.190–0.976 µg/L and the average value was 0.442 µg/L in the transect of BR. And the surface chlorophyll a concentrations were 0.142~22.405 µg/L and average value was 2.077 µg/L in the surveyed continental area. Chlorophyll a concentration in the transect BR was lower than that in the transects NB and BS. The chlorophyll a concentration above the depth 50m were higher than that below the depth 50m. Maximum concentrations appeared in the depth 30m~40m. The potential primary productivities varied from 0.173 to 0.918 mgC/(m3 h) in the surveyed area, with average rates of 0.50mgC/(m3 h). Primary productivity in the continental shelf zone was much higher than that of the deep water zone. The assimilation index of photosynthesis varied in 0.29~1.03 mgC/(mgChla h) in the surveyed area, with average rates of 0.74 mgC/(mgChla h). The results of the size-fractionated chlorophyll a and primary productivity showed that the nanoplankton and picoplankton accounted for 45.08% of the majority of the total chlorophyll a and 69.48% of total primary productivity in the surveyed area. The contributions of the microplankton to the total chlorophyll a and primary productivity were 54.92% and 30.52%, respectively. The nanoplankton and picoplankton played an important role in the ecosystem of the surveyed area.
Arctic Observation Network Social Indicators Project: Commercial Fishing
Marie Lowe1Abstract:
1Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage, ISER-UAA, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99508-4614, USA, Phone 907-786-6534, Fax 907-786-7739, marie.lowe@uaa.alaska.edu
The Arctic Observation Network Social Indicators Project (OPP0638408) is intended to contribute to the development of the Arctic Observation Network and to the science goals of SEARCH in two ways: (1) develop and make available to the science community relevant datasets and (2) identify gaps in the existing observation system and recommend appropriate actions to fill those gaps. The SEARCH Implementation Plan identified the following arenas of human activity likely to involve climate-human interactions: (1) subsistence hunting (2) tourism (3) resource development and marine transportation and (4) commercial fishing. This paper describes and assesses arctic fisheries data sets.
The project's commercial fisheries database currently consists of catch and landings data from 1980-present for commercially important species north of 60°N and in the Bering Sea. Datasets were collected to date for Alaska, Norway, Iceland, and Russia at the place and regional levels. Variables include: fisheries catch in metric tons, #fishing permit holders, #fishing permits issued, total kilograms landed, estimated gross earnings, #fishermen who fished, value of fish landed, and #permits fished. Data collection for these variables is individually interpreted by national agencies within each arctic country and not available for all variables. Standardization and/or comparability of time series data sets will be important for the future monitoring and modeling of changes in the arctic environment and associated impacts on fisheries such as diminishing sea ice cover, ocean acidification, species range extensions, and increasing production. Planning arctic fisheries of the future is dependent upon research that addresses and examines change for the successful development of new management plans and governance structures to accommodate international boundary conflicts, indigenous rights to resources, and organization/oversight of arctic marine science initiatives. Also important is the need to understand how changes in fisheries fit within a broader resource use and development context in the arctic, for example and especially oil and gas development. The Arctic Observation Network Social Indicators project takes the first step in examining what kind of arctic resource change and associated human dimension data are available and how best they can be organized.
The Level of Trace Elements Shown by Children of Russia's North
Elena A. Lugovaya1, Anatoliy L. Gorbachev2Abstract:
1FEB RAS, Scientific-Research Center “Arktika” , 24 Karl Marx Street, Magadan, 685000, Russia, Phone 7-413-262-90-72, elena_plant@mail.ru
2Northeastern State University, 13 Portovava Street, Magadan, 685000, Russia
Trace element status of the seaside and continental children's population of European and Asian North of Russia was studied. Hair samples were examined using atomic emission and mass spectroscopy with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS/ICP-AES) from laboratory of Centre for Biotic Medicine (Moscow). The data obtained in different territories were similar (decreased hair Se, Co, Cr, Ca, Mg, J, Mn, and Fe levels). This fact suggests common reasons for elemental status formation, which can occur due to particular biochemical properties of the environment and children's biochemical adaptation to conditions of northern climate. The established mineral imbalance showed by children can predispose them to so-called "geographical pathology".
Coming of Age; How Young Women in the Northwest Territories Understand Barriers and Facilitators to Positive, Empowered, and Safer Sexual Health
Candice L. Lys1Abstract:
1Institute for Circumpolar Health Research, P.O Box 11050, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 3J2, Canada, Phone 867-873-9337, Fax 867-873-9338, candice.lys@ichr.ca
Compared to other young Canadians, youth in the Northwest Territories (NWT) suffer disproportionately from negative sexual health outcomes, including high rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. Although numerous quantitative studies measure sexual health indicators amongst NWT youth, little qualitative research explores the sexual health experiences of these young women. The purpose of this study was to identify the self-perceived barriers and facilitators to positive, empowered, and safer sexual health that impact female youth in the NWT. Recruited through purposive sampling, 12 females aged 15-19 who live in the NWT and engage in relationships with male partners participated in semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Using qualitative data analysis software, inductive coding and thematic analysis of transcribed data occurred. Results of this research improve understanding of the sexual health experiences of young women in the NWT, thus aiding in the development of appropriate and effective health promotion policy and initiatives for this population.
Multisensor Satellite Monitoring of the Snow Cover and its Relation to Plant Distribution and Growing Season on Svalbard
Eirik Malnes1, Stein Rune Karlsen2, Bernt Johansen3, Kjell Arild Høgda4Abstract:
1Northern Research Institute Tromsø, P.O.Box 6434, Tromsø, 9294, Norway, eirik.malnes@norut.no
2Northern Research Institute Tromsø, Tromso, Norway, stein-rune.karlsen@norut.no
3Northern Research Institute Tromsø, Tromso, Norway
4Northern Research Institute Tromsø, Tromso, Norway
Changes in the timing of the last and first day with snow cover are among the most sensitive indicators of climate change. By the end of the century, northeastern parts of Svalbard could experience a 6-8°C increase in annual temperatures due to decreasing sea-ice coverage. Hence, it is of the utmost importance to monitor the present state and ongoing changes. The snow cover is an especially important ecological factor affecting soil moisture, plant survival, plant community composition and controlling the length of the growing season.
This paper describes the most recent snow cover maps developed for the entire Svalbard archipelago. A ten-year long climate record on snow has been developed using Terra MODIS and Envisat ASAR satellite data from 2000 and 2003, respectively. Daily time-series of snow cover are used to derive the spatial distribution of snow, assessing the first day of snow free conditions in early summer, first day of snow in autumn and the annual number of snow free days. Corresponding yearly and average maps for the ten-year period have been produced. The developed map products provide valuable information about the exact timing of snow and its relationship to the variability of growing season, biodiversity and vegetation cover. A daily multisensor/multitemporal cloud free fractional snow cover area product is automatically generated based on multitemporal interpolation in combination with multisensoral fusion of SAR and optical data. At local scales we also introduce high-resolution snow maps from SAR sensors like TerraSAR-X and Radarsat-2 to study detailed snow melting patterns at the 2-5 meter scale.
By comparing the derived snow maps to Landsat TM based vegetation maps and to Terra MODIS based growing season maps, an intimate correlation between snow cover, vegetation composition and distribution of species are recorded. At the local scale, the amounts of snow varies in the terrain with a tiny snow cover on ridges and heavy snow in depressions. At the regional scale, the most varied vegetation is located in the inner Isfjord area with early snowmelt and a regionally long growing season. On the opposite side, the Arctic Polar Desert Zone which is located in the eastern and northernmost areas, is characterized by an extremely short growing season. Due to an abbreviated growing season only a few vascular plants are adapted to these harsh growing conditions.
Seasonal Diet of Eastern Arctic Bowhead Whales (Balaena mysticetus) Determined Using Stable Isotope Signatures in Baleen
Cory J. Matthews1, Steven H. Ferguson2Abstract:
1Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N6, Canada, Phone 204-984-2425, cory_matthews@umanitoba.ca
2Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, steve.ferguson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) in the eastern Canadian Arctic migrate seasonally between Hudson and Davis Straits in winter to northwestern Hudson Bay/Foxe Basin and Gulf of Boothia in summer. Changes in Arctic sea-ice patterns due to climate change may affect the timing and range of eastern Arctic bowhead whale migrations through seasonal or regional shifts in prey (zooplankton) availability. However, limited information about eastern Arctic bowhead whale ecology and habitat use restricts our ability to identify and address threats posed by Arctic climate change. Chemical signatures in baleen provide a means to study eastern Arctic bowhead whale ecology and habitat use. Baleen grows continually and is biochemically inert once formed, so dietary changes over short time increments are recorded in its stable isotope composition (Lee et al 2005). Zooplankton δ13C and δ15N differ across the eastern Arctic due to underlying geological processes, so δ13C and δ15N deposited in baleen can be used to assess the relative importance of different foraging regions. In 2009, we measured δ13C and δ15N along plates of seven eastern Arctic bowhead whales, and found evidence for annual oscillations in both δ13C and 15N. Annual δ13C oscillations typically differed by less than 1‰, but the magnitude varied from year to year. Annual δ15N oscillations were more consistent than δ13C oscillations, and typically differed by 0.5-1‰. The magnitude and patterns of annual oscillations varied among individuals and could be due to seasonal fasting (e.g. enrichment in δ15N resulting from protein catabolism) or feeding in locations across their annual range with different isotopic signatures. Further interpretation of isotope ratio patterns in baleen will enable assessment of seasonal feeding patterns and habitat usage as it relates to seasonal sea ice conditions.
Near Real-Time Analyses of Sea Ice Conditions for Science and the Public
Walter N. Meier1, Mark Serreze2, Julienne Stroeve3, Ted Scambos4, Katherine Leitzell5, Matt Savoie6, Florence Fetterer7Abstract:
1National Snow and Ice Data Center, UCB 449, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA, Phone 303-492-6508, Fax 303-492-2468, walt@nsidc.org
2National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, CO, USA
3National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, CO, USA
4National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, CO, USA
5National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, CO, USA
6National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, CO, USA
7National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, CO, USA
Arctic sea ice is an iconic indicator of climate change. The National Snow and Ice Data Center provides near-real time and regularly updated analyses of conditions on its "Arctic Sea Ice News and Analysis" web page. This provides scientists, policymakers, media, and the general public with preliminary scientifically-based information on evolving sea ice conditions through the year in the context of the long-term trends. These analyses provided scientists with an up-to-date snapshot of conditions, are a useful resource for journalists researching stories, military officials developing strategic plans, and educators teaching about climate change. In addition to standard satellite-derived data archived at NSIDC, data and analyses are solicited from the science community to provide a more comprehensive assessment of conditions. Related projects have spun off of the site, including an educational module. Improvements and additions to the site are made as resources allow. A current project will add higher quality satellite-derived fields for improved accuracy.
Impact of Ocean Acidification on the Metabolism of Calcifying Planktonic Organisms
Nathalie Morata1, Clara Manno2Abstract:
1Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromso, Tromso, Norway, Phone +4793828701, nathalie.morata@gmail.com
2University of Tromso, Tromso, Norway
Atmospheric pCO2 is predicted to double by the end of the century, and this increase is expected to lead to both global warming and ocean acidification, both being enhanced in polar oceans. Because of the freshening and increased carbon uptake in response to sea ice retreat, pH should decrease by more than 50% by 2050 in the Arctic. Marine calcifying organisms are particularly important in high latitudes as a food source for different species and for carbon fluxes, and will likely be directly affected as shells and other structures of calcium carbonates dissolve with lower pH. It is unclear though how those organisms will react, adapt and survive within this carbonate undersaturation scenario. Marine calcifying organisms include strictly planktonic as well as meroplanktonic organisms. Meroplankton spend only part of their life in a planktonic stage and include benthic larvae. In order to understand the effect of decreasing pH on the metabolism of calcifying organisms, perturbation experiments were performed on two meroplanktonic organisms: benthic gastropods and clams larvae, and one strictly planktonic organism: pteropods. During these experiments, oxygen was monitored every 4-8 hours in order to measure the organisms' respiration at regular sea water pH (8.1) and at the lower pH predicted for the next 100 years (7.7). The increase of respiration at lower pH reflects a change in the organisms' metabolism probably due to stress. By affecting calcifying organism metabolism, ocean acidification is likely to lead to changes in food web structure, carbon fluxes and benthic communities.
Pelagic-benthic Coupling of the Barents and Beaufort Seas, Arctic, Revealed by Sedimentary Pigments
Nathalie Morata1Abstract:
1University of Tromso, Tromso, 9009, Norway, nathalie.morata@gmail.com
Pelagic-benthic coupling over much of the Arctic shelves is thought to be particularly tight. The study of sedimentary pigments in the Barents and Beaufort seas showed very different pelagic-benthic coupling patterns, reflecting the important contrast of primary productivity, secondary production and hydrography between the two ecosystems. Physical parameters seemed more responsible for spatial differences. In the Barents Sea, spatial changes were highly influenced by currents while in the Beaufort Sea, spatial changes were related to depth and river influence. From a seasonal point of view, productivity regime, especially ice-algae production and the match/mismatch of zooplankton grazing, seemed important in shaping organic matter inputs to the benthos. In the spring, ice-algal production largely influenced organic matter inputs to the benthos in both the Barents and Beaufort Sea. In the summer, grazing was responsible for inputs of degraded material in both ecosystems. In addition to biological parameters, environmental factors were also important in summer and fall. In the Barents Sea during summer, the different currents lead to phytoplankton taxonomy variations, and in the Beaufort Sea during fall, riverine inputs were found to be responsible for the presence of allochtonous material in the sediment.
Sea-Ice Climate Feedbacks in a Coupled Cell ModelŃAlbedo Feedback, Stable States and Hysteresis
Marc Mueller-Stoffels1, Renate Wackerbauer2Abstract:
1Department of Physics, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 900 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, Phone 907-687-0259, mmuellerstoffels@alaska.edu
2Department of Physics, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 900 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, rawackerbauer@alaska.edu
We investigate the effect of radiative feedbacks on the Arctic Ocean's ice cover. The shortwave radiative feedback is driven by surface albedo differences between sea ice and ocean. The longwave feedback is driven by surface/air temperature fluctuations. These two effects are studied through a coupled cell model that allows for a phase transition. Published solutions to one-dimensional models of the arctic's sea ice-ocean system exhibit two stable states: (i) perennial ice cover, or (ii) no ice cover at all. Our two-dimensional coupled cell model approach supports these results. The model exhibits ice-albedo feedback in the transition from the ice-covered stable state to the open water stable state. Furthermore, we can show that considerable cooling of the model domain is necessary to return from the open water stable state to the ice-covered stable state (hysteresis). The amount of hysteresis is driven by the difference in surface albedo between ice and open ocean.
Explorative Scenarios Using Consistency and Robustness Analysis and Wild Cards
Marc Mueller-Stoffels1, Erik Gauger2, Karlheinz Steinmüller3Abstract:
1Department of Physics, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 900 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, Phone 907-687-0259, mmuellerstoffels@alaska.edu
2Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
3Z_punkt GmbH, The Foresight Company, Cologne, Germany
Scenarios are valuable tools for decisionmakers. They allow us to develop and bring into focus several images of future developments where predictions are not feasible. These images can help decisionmakers to plan for a range of futures. Scenario processes have been successfully employed in state, regional, local, corporate and catastrophe planning. Public scenario processes can be used to induce conversation between stakeholder groups and to stimulate thinking "outside the box".
Scenarios can be classified to be normative or explorative. Normative scenarios can be understood as stories of the future written by an author well informed on the specific topic. The drawback of narrative scenarios is that it is possible that seemingly unlikely, but very consistent futures are often overlooked. Explorative scenario methods attempt to remedy this problem by implementing a process that "blinds" the investigator for parts of the process to the bigger picture. The aim is to allow for easily dismissed, but interesting possible futures to survive the process of narrowing down the space of possible futures to about five.
One such explorative scenario method is scenario construction by consistency analysis (Gausemeier et al., 1996). In this analysis key factors driving the development of the field under consideration are identified. Each key factor is assigned several future projections. Each future projection is assigned a plausibility value. In general, any combination of future projections of the different key factors represents a possible future. To rule out inconsistencies each future projection of a key factor is compared with all future projections of the other key factors and their pair-wise consistency determined. From the resulting matrix, consistent raw scenarios can be calculated. However, this process results in no information with respect to plausibility of the raw scenarios.
We have extended the consistency analysis into a robustness analysis. We denote raw scenarios as "robust" if they not only have a high consistency, but a high robustness, that is a compounded variable of consistency and plausibility. Further, our analysis allows the incorporation of Wild Cards (Steinmüller and Steinmüller, 2004), i.e. disruptive events with high impact on the field under investigation. For the example of the "Futures for the Arctic 2030" process (oral presentation) we will explain the Robustness Analysis and further useful data analysis tools for scenario processes.
International Study of Arctic Change
Maribeth S. Murray1Abstract:
1ISAC International Program Office, PO 50003, SE 104-05, Stockholm, 104-04, Sweden, Phone +46-8-673-96-07, murray@arcticchange.org
The poster presents an overview of the International Study of Arctic Change (ISAC) science program, including recent and planned implementation activities. The poster highlights efforts at international coordination and cooperation in the development of a tripartite research agenda that includes observing, understanding, and responding to arctic change. Here discussion is focused on the framework for responding to change, and in particular specific needs that might be met by an optimally designed Arctic Observing System. Plans for an international workshop to further develop the ISAC responding to change initiative are also outlined.
The Effect and Implications of Increased Stratospheric Aerosols from Small Injections and Background Increases
Ryan R. Neely III1Abstract:
1CU-Boulder Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, NOAA/ESRL and CIRES, 2240 Spruce Street, Apt. C, Boulder, CO, 80302, USA, Phone 336-302-4244, rrniii@gmail.com
Stratospheric aerosols affect global climate by influencing the radiative budget and chemistry of the lower stratosphere. Presently the stratospheric aerosol levels are in a background state. This provides the opportunity for studies of stratospheric injections by small volcanic eruptions and boreal forest fires. Recent observations of stratospheric aerosols by the Arctic Lidar Technology (ARCLITE) system Sondrestrom, Greenland suggest volcanic and boreal emissions may significantly perturb stratospheric aerosols in the Arctic. Longterm observations made by lidars in Boulder, Colorado and at the Mauna Loa Observatory show positive trends in the global background of stratospheric aerosols. Profiles derived from the ARCLITE observations include depolarization, backscatter and temperature which allow for a characterization of the stratospheric layer on a regular basis. A thin stratospheric aerosol layer was identified during the month of July 2009 using the Arctic Lidar Technology (ARCLITE) System operated at Sondrestrom. Observations after the eruption of the Sarychev Peak volcano in the Russian Kuril Islands on June 12, 2009 provide a time series of measurements showing the evolution of the aerosol layer over the month after a typical small injection within the global context of the profiles provided by the global GMD network. From the optical qualities observed, the exact nature of the aerosols and their role in the radiative budget and stratospheric chemistry are elucidated. These types of observations are unique to ground-based lidar systems like ARCLITE due to the optically thin qualities of the layer which prevent detection in the visible band by nadir-looking satellites. The long term effect of this injection of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere may influence the formation of polar stratospheric clouds during the coming winter.
Long Term Effect of Surface Warming on CO2 Flux Components from Wet and Dry Sites at Two Locations in the Alaskan Coastal Plain
Paulo C. Olivas1, Steven F. Oberbauer2, Craig Tweedie3, Robert Hollister4Abstract:
1Biology, Florida International University, 11200 S.W. 8th Street, OE # 167, Miami, FL, 33199, USA, Phone 305-348-6707, paulo.olivas@fiu.edu
2Biology, Florida International University, 11200 S.W. 8th Street, OE # 167, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
3Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
4Biology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, 49401, USA
Historically arctic ecosystems have been carbon sinks. Waterlogged soils, low temperatures and shallow permafrost have contributed to the accumulation of close to 14% of the world's soil organic carbon. Expected global changes in temperature and hydrology are likely to be magnified in the Arctic, potentially shifting the balance of photosynthesis and respiration toward greater CO2 losses to the atmosphere. Arctic CO2 losses could represent a significant positive feedback to the global greenhouse gas effect, further affecting the arctic climate conditions. We analyzed peak season CO2 fluxes collected using static chamber techniques over a period spanning 9 years (2000–09) from tundra sites established in Barrow (Alaskan coastal plain) and Atqasuk (100 km south of Barrow), Alaska as part of the International Tundra Experiment. At each site we used open-top chambers (OTCs) to test the effect of warming on the CO2 flux components at two ends of a hydrological gradient: wet sedge and dry heath tundra. We found that warming increases both Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) and Ecosystem Respiration (ER); however, during hot and dry seasons ER had a greater response to warming resulting in net CO2 losses, especially in the dry site at Barrow. In Atqasuk, warming increased both GPP and ER, but different from Barrow, the ER response to warming was not as strong resulting in lower CO2 losses. At each location the dry sites were the most negatively affected by warming, but the effect was particularly strong at Barrow. During typical seasons, high soil moisture in wet sites negatively affected ER resulting in low CO2 losses and strong sink activity on the control plots. However, during two recent warm dry years (2007 and 2009), dry soils at the wet sedge sites resulted in net carbon losses on both control and warmed plots at the time of year when GPP is usually highest. During such seasons when the ecosystem experiences net losses at peak season, the seasonal CO2 losses are likely to be much larger. Therefore, as result of interannual variability of weather conditions, in particular changes in water availability and temperature, and the fast response of the ecosystem to these changes, some areas in the Arctic could be sources of CO2 over the growing season in warm and dry years.
Enhanced Ozone Over the North American Arctic From Biomass Burning in Eurasia During April 2008 as Seen in Surface and Profile Observations
Samuel J. Oltmans1, Allen S. Lefohn2, Joyce M. Harris3, David W. Tarasick4, Anne M. Thompson5, Heini Wernli6Abstract:
1NOAA Earth System Research Labboratory, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO, 80305, USA, Phone 303-497-6676, Fax 303-497-5590, samuel.j.oltmans@noaa.gov
2A.S.L. & Associates, Helena, MT, USA, alefohn@asl-associates.com
3NOAA Earth System Research Labboratory, Boulder, CO, USA, oyce.M.Harris@noaa.gov
4Environment Canada, Downsview, ON, Canada, david.tarasick@ec.gc.ca
5Department of Meteorology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA, anne@met.psu.edu
6Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, heini.wernli@env.ethz.ch
During April 2008 as part of the International Polar Year, a number of ground-based and aircraft campaigns were carried out in the North American arctic region. The ubiquitous presence during this period of biomass burning effluent, both gaseous and particulate, has been reported. Unusually high ozone readings for this time of year were recorded at surface ozone monitoring sites from northern Alaska to northern California. At Barrow, Alaska the highest April ozone readings recorded at the surface (hourly average values >55 ppbv) in 36 years of observation were measured on April 19, 2008. At Denali National Park in central Alaska an hourly average of 79 ppbv was recorded during an 8 hour period in which the average was over 75 ppb, exceeding the ozone ambient air standard threshold value in the U.S.. Elevated ozone (>60 ppbv) persisted almost continuously from April 19–23 at the monitoring site as part of this event. During the first three weeks of April 2008, near daily ozone soundings were performed at several sites in western North America as part of the Arctic Intensive Ozonesonde Network Study (ARCIONS) in conjunction with ARCTAS. These soundings showed lower tropospheric features at ~1-6 km with enhanced ozone during the times of elevated ozone amounts at the surface sites noted above. Ancillary information, such as aerosol optical thickness and back trajectories, are employed to diagnose the potential air masses that may have contributed to these elevated ozone readings. The back trajectories appear to be matched with known burning source regions in the Eurasian region during April 2008. At a few surface sites, atmospheric trace constituents in addition to ozone were measured that help identify biomass burning as a likely source of the enhanced ozone readings.
Investigating Impacts of Hydrological Components to the Discharge of Lena Watershed Using a Land Surface Model (CHANGE)
Hotaek Park1, Yoshihiro Iijima2, Hironori Yabuki3, Yuji Kodama4Abstract:
1JAMSTEC, 2-15 Natsushimacho, Yokosuka, 237-0061, Japan, Phone 81-46-867-9292, Fax 046-867-9292, park@jamstec.go.jp
2JAMSTEC, Yokosuka, Japan, yiijima@jamstec.go.jp
3JAMSTEC, Yokosuka, Japan, yabuki@jamstec.go.jp
4JAMSTEC, Yokosuka, Japan, kod@pop.lowtem.hokudai.ac.jp
In eastern Siberia, a number of changes of terrestrial processes have been documented from field observations and model simulations. The representative changes are the increasing river discharge, permafrost reduction, expanded growth period and wetness. To assess the impacts of the terrestrial processes to increased river discharge, a land surface model (CHANGE, coupled hydrological and biogeochemical model) was applied to Lena watershed over 1986 to 2004. The model does consider the effects of the components (i.e. snow processes, soil organic matter and ice within soil layers) of the hydrological and biogeochemical processes in the Arctic. The model also represents spatial heterogeneity in land cover by dividing each grid cell into three land cover types: lake, wetland, and vegetation. The vegetated portion of the grid cell is further divided into several patches of plant functional types. Multiple plant functional types can co-occur in a grid cell.
Dynamics in land surface processes during the modeling period were analyzed for Lena watershed, especially for two small watersheds (Aldan and Upper Lena) within the watershed. Air temperature, precipitation, and discharge in the watersheds have been increased since 1986. Simulation also indicated the increasing trends in active layer depth (ALD), snow water equivalent (SWE), and evapotranspiration (ET). The increases were especially significant in southern mountainous region of Lena watershed. In the two small watersheds, SWE was highly correlated to discharge, which suggests that the melted snow does greatly affect to the peak discharge in the early spring. The increased ALD also indicated similar pattern with discharge variation in the small watersheds. However, ALD does not directly affect to river discharge. The melted ice water caused by the thawed ALD is probably more related to river discharge. The melted ice indicated good correlation with discharge, as well as ET. This suggests that water produced by the thawed ALD was useful to ET and discharge during the summer season. Although precipitation in Lena watershed was in increasing trend, soil water storage did not indicate any trend. Of course, the inter-annual variability of soil water storage did correspond to one of precipitation. The trend of soil water storage suggests that the increased precipitation could contribute to discharge and ET.
The Arctic Sea Ice Refuge
Stephanie Pfirman1, Bruno Tremblay2, Charles Fowler3, Robert Newton4Abstract:
1Environmental Science, Barnard College, Columbia University, 3009 Broadway, New York, NY, 10027, USA, Phone 212-854-5120, spfirman@barnard.edu
2McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, bruno.tremblay@mcgill.ca
3University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA, cfowler@colorado.edu
4Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY, USA, bnewton@ldeo.columbia.edu
As global warming reduces the summer sea ice in the Arctic Ocean, ecosystems which require perennial ice are likely to survive longest in the region immediately north of Canada and Greenland. Models and satellite data indicate that summer sea ice will persist longer in this region than any anywhere else in the Arctic. Analysis of models and satellite data indicate that this natural refugium relies on locally created sea ice, as well as drifting ice that forms originally over the central Arctic. Depending on future changes in melt patterns and sea ice transport rates, the Siberian shelf seas may also be a source of ice to this region. An integrated, international system of monitoring and management of this sea ice refuge, along with the ice source regions, has the potential to maintain viable habitat for ice-associated species, including polar bears, for decades into the future.
Structure of Boundary Current in the Nansen Basin of the Arctic Ocean
Andrey V. Pnyushkov1, Igor V. Polyakov2, Vladimir V. Ivanov3Abstract:
1International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 930 Koyukuk Drive , Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, Phone 907-474-2683, andrey@iarc.uaf.edu
2International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 930 Koyukuk Drive , Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, Phone 907-474-2686, igor@iarc.uaf.edu
3Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, Bering Street, 38, St. Petersburg, 199397, Russia, Phone +7-812-352-3352, vladimir.ivanov@aari.ru
It is believed that circulation of the intermediate (150-800m) water of Atlantic origin (the so-called Atlantic Water, AW) in the eastern Arctic Ocean is topography-steered confining with deep-basin margins and enveloping the shelf breaks. However, recent observations from Fram Strait show barotropic structure of water transport. Mooring records from Svalbard area (~30E) show very different structure of flow with a maximum velocity at ~200m in the AW core. Mooring observations over the Laptev slope showed erosion of the AW jet-like flow and further eastward observations at the Lomonosov Ridge found a barotropic flow with velocity generally decreasing with depth. Modeling results suggest the existence of topographically-controlled two-core along-slope flow near the Spitsbergen slope. The shallow core is located over the shelf break at ~400m. The second core is shifted in the basin interior and located at ~1200m. Similar to observations, the vertical structure of deeper branch of AW flow has a maximum at an intermediate depth caused by baroclinic balance of forces. This finding may be important for interpretation of warm AW pulses in the Arctic Ocean interior.
Foraging Ecology and Habitat Selection of Bowhead Whales (Balaena mysticetus) in the Canadian High Arctic
Corinne Pomerleau1, Veronique Lesage2, Steve H. Ferguson3, Larry Dueck4, Gesche Winkler5, Sebastian P. Luque6Abstract:
1Oceanography, Université de Québec à Rimouski - Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Institut Maurice Lamontagne, 850 Route de la Mer, Mont-Joli, QC, G5H 3Z4, Canada, Phone 1-418-725-9155, Fax 1-418-775-0740, corinne.pomerleau@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
2Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Institut Maurice Lamontagne, 850 Route de la Mer, Mont-Joli, QC, G5H 3Z4, Canada, Phone 1-418-775-0739, veronique.lesage@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
3Arctic Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N6, Canada, Phone 1-204-983-5057, steve.ferguson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
4Arctic Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N6, Canada, larry.dueck@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
5Université du Québec à Rimouski, Institut des Sciences de la mer, 300 allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, QC, G5L 3A1, Canada, Gesche_Winkler@UQAR.QC.CA
6Arctic Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N6, Canada, spluque@gmail.com
The Eastern Canada–Western Greenland bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) population was severely depleted by commercial whaling during the 19th and 20th centuries, which led to their designation as ''Special concern'' by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in April 2009. Although Inuit knowledge supported by scientific research indicate that the number of whales in the region has been increasing in recent years, bowhead whales are still at risk of becoming threatened or endangered because of a combination of biological characteristics (e.g. extremely low natural growth rate) and identified threats (e.g. predation, human presence). Moreover, it remains unclear how bowheads will react and adapt to climate change and its effects on their habitat. In this context, we initiated a study that relates foraging ecology and habitat requirements of the bowhead whale by using stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur. Skin biopsies from live and dead bowhead whales were collected at various locations in the Eastern Canadian High Arctic from 1987 to 2008. Results indicate inter-regional variations in stable isotopes of carbon and sulfur but not in nitrogen. Gender was determined using genetic markers and there is no significant difference between males and females in carbon, nitrogen or sulfur isotope ratios. Differences in foraging as suggested by isotopic signatures are discussed in the perspective of the longevity, low fecundity and narrow-niche foraging of the species, which may make the bowhead whales more vulnerable to changes in sea ice coverage with continued global warming. We also looked at bowhead whales platform transmitter terminals (PTTs) in the eastern Arctic during the summers of 2002 through 2006. Bowheads' movements were estimated using a Bayesian state-space model and the telemetry data were used in conjunction with remotely-sensed net primary production (NPP) data to assess habitat selection. Overall there were no clear patterns with bowhead habitat selection and ocean net primary productivity.
Re-sampling Historic Research Sites to Track Global Change Impacts on Arctic Tundra Ponds
Francisco Reyes1, Christian G. Andresen2, Gilda Victorino3, Vanessa L. Lougheed4Abstract:
1Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
2University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
3University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
4University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
The Arctic tundra ponds at the International Biome Project (IBP) site in Barrow, AK were studied extensively in the 1970's; however very little research has occurred there since that time. Due to the sensitivity of this region to climate warming, understanding any changes in the ponds' structure and function over the past 40 years can help identify any potential climate-related impacts. The purpose of this project was to re-sample ponds in a historical research site last sampled in the 1970's and compare their physical, chemical and biological characteristics to present time and to newly established and protected research sites at the Barrow Experimental Observatory (BEO). Preliminary data indicate that the IBP ponds in 2008–09 had significantly higher phosphorus concentration and epipelic algal biomass than the same ponds in the early 1970s. On average, BEO sites had significantly lower epipelic algal biomass and similar nutrient concentrations. In summary, these data suggest that the IBP sites may be more productive in 2008 than in the 1970's and that the IBP sites may be more productive than the BEO sites, which are from the village of Barrow. Increased nutrients may be present due to the greater proximity of the IBP sites to an urban setting, or released from warming permafrost. Results from this and further study could help understand the implications of climate change on arctic tundra pond ecosystems.
Integrated Acoustic Observing System for the Arctic
Hanne Sagen1, Stein Sandven2, Svein Arild Haugen3, Agnieszka Beszczynska-Moeller4, Emmanuel Skarsoulis5, Peter F. Worcester6Abstract:
1Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, Thormøhlensgt 47, N-5006 Bergen, Norway, Phone +4755205800, Fax +4755205801, hanne.sagen@nersc.no
2Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, Thormøhlensgt 47, N-5006 Bergen, Norway, Phone +475-52058-00, Fax +475-5205-801, stein.sandven@nersc.no
3Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, Thormøhlensgt 47, N-5006 Bergen, Norway
4Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, D-27515, Germany
5Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas/Inst. of Applied and Computational, Heraklion, GR-71110, USA
6Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, CA, 92093-0225, USA
In DAMOCLES the first acoustic tomography experiment has been carried out in the Fram Strait from 2008–2009 using one acoustic source and one acoustic array. Travel time was recorded at eight receivers between 100 and 900m and preliminary analysis of travel time data has been performed. Through inversion techniques, internal ocean temperature will be retrieved over distance of 130 km. The travel time data will be assimilated into the TOPAZ ice-ocean forecasting system in hindcast mode.
The main objective of ACOBAR is to establish a multipurpose acoustic system in the Fram Strait for tomography, navigation/positioning of gliders and floats under the ice, and communication with underwater units. When the triangle of transceivers is deployed in 2010, average temperature will be available from 6 tracks of acoustic travel time measurements. Three tracks provide reciprocal travel times and current velocities can be derived. The system will transmit both RAFOS signals for navigation and tomographic signals.
For the high Arctic, it is recommended to design and implement a cost-efficient, multi-purpose infrastructure for tomography, navigation/positioning of gliders and floats under ice, and standard oceanographical moorings in the Arctic (Dushaw et al. 2009). The implementation of multi-purpose acoustic observing system will build on experience from the previous acoustic tomography experiments in the central Arctic Ocean (Gavrilov and Mikhalevsky, 2006) and the regional acoustic system currently under implementation in the Fram Strait within ACOBAR. The ultimate goal is to assimilate the observations into ice-ocean models in order to provide improved monitoring and forecasting of the sea ice and ocean conditions.
Furthermore, the acoustic infrastructure can be used for monitoring of ambient noise and marine mammals in the polar regions. The anticipated increase of human activities in the Arctic will lead to higher noise levels, e.g. from fishing vessels, oil and gas installations, seismic exploration and ship transportation. The observing system can therefore be used to assess the impact of increasing ambient noise levels on marine mammals.
References
Dushaw, et al. 2009. A Global Ocean Acoustic Observing Network. OceanObs 2009 Community White paper.
Gavrilov and Mikhalevsky, 2006. "Low-frequency acoustic propagation loss in the Arctic Ocean: results of the Arctic Climate Observations using Underwater Sound experiment", J. Acoust. Soc. Amer., v.119 (6).
Microbial Community Response to Freezing in Two Contrasting Arctic Tundra Soil Types
Sean M. Schaeffer1, Seeta Sistla2, Claudia M. Boot3, Joshua P. Schimel4Abstract:
1Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, EEMB, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-9610, USA, sschaeffer@lifesci.ucsb.edu
2Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
3Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
4Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Vegetation change in arctic ecosystems is a well-documented, widespread phenomenon. This change is partly driven by belowground feedbacks between plants and microbes. Microbes can regulate plant community composition and productivity by controlling nutrient supply, which also regulates decomposition rates and carbon balance. We investigated what happens to microbes as soils freeze and how growing season biogeochemical cycling may be affected by the antecedent conditions that develop over the long, cold winters.
Organic soils from moist acidic tussock (Eriophorum vaginatum) and shrub (Betula nana, Salix spp.) tundra were selected for analysis. Soil cores were subjected to a simulated freezing event (to -2°C) approximating the natural pattern observed as these soils freeze, including an acclimation phase. Additional treatments removed any acclimation phase with immediate freezing to temperatures of either -2 or -20°C. Respired CO2, active microbial biomass and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN, NH4+ and NO3-) were measured, and DNA extracted for analysis of community structure.
In shrub tundra soils, active microbial biomass was insensitive to acclimation or freezing, but more DIN was released in soil solution during the acclimation and frozen phases. Tussock soils appeared to be more sensitive to freezing than shrub soils; active microbial biomass declined and DIN accumulated in solution. However, if tussock soils had undergone acclimation before freezing, less DIN was released into solution. When combined with information on basal respiration rates, these data suggest that organic substrates can accumulate in soils as they freeze, but this accumulation is slowed if microbial communities are allowed to acclimate to low temperatures prior to freezing. Therefore, the speed and intensity of freezing in winter, as well as the plant community, may exert a significant control on plant nutrient cycling and decomposition upon soil thaw in the spring.
On the Role of Missed Components of Carbon Cycling in the East Siberian Arctic Shelf
Igor Semiletov1, Natalia Shakhova2, Mikhail Grigoriev3, Irina Pipko4, Oleg Dudarev5Abstract:
1International Arctic Research Center, University Fairbanks Alaska, Akasofu Building, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, Phone 907-474-6286, igorsm@iarc.uaf.edu
2International Arctic Research Center, University Fairbanks Alaska, Akasofu Building, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, Phone 907-474-2796, nshakhov@iarc.uaf.edu
3Yakutsk Permafrost Institute Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, NT, Russia, grigoriev@mpi.ysn.ru
4Laboratory of Arctic Research, Pacific Oceanological Institute FEBRAS, Vladivostok, NT, Russia, irina@poi.dvo.ru
5Laboratory of Arctic Research, Pacific Oceanological Institute FEBRAS, Vladivostok, NT, Russia, dudarev@poi.dvo.ru
The widest and shallowest East Siberian Arctic Shelf (ESAS) acts as an important region for producing and processing of organic matter before the material is transported into the Arctic Ocean. Up to 100% of the total organic carbon (TOC) in the ESAS sediments is terrestrial by origin (TOCterr). TOCterr flux in the ESAS integrates riverine and coastal erosion signals transforming within the land-shelf-atmosphere system. Ongoing warming causes thawing of the permafrost underlying majority of river watersheds and more than 80% of the ESAS area; this process could accelerate river discharge, carbon losses from soils, involvement of old carbon to the modern carbon cycle and mobilization previously originated CH4 stored within seabed deposits. Decreasing uncertainties in current budgets and understanding further change of carbon fluxes over the Arctic Ocean is critical to assessing how regional carbon cycling may impact an already warming climate.
All existing carbon balance estimations for the Arctic Ocean are incomplete and unreliable because: 1) they reflect lack of knowledge on the critical region of the Arctic marine system, which is the East Siberian Arctic Shelf (ESAS) composing ~30% of the total Arctic shelf area; 2) annual budgets do not reflect spatial and temporal variability of carbon fluxes; 3) TOC efflux accounted for the budget does not apportion processes, which accompany its transformation within land-shelf system; 4) gaseous components of carbon cycling (CO2 and CH4) were not incorporated into the budget.
Here we present our multi-year data (1999–2009) which show that: 1) current estimates of riverine solid runoff, used for budget estimations, does not reflect the fact that majority of riverine TOC settles in delta channels and never reach the shelf; 2) current estimates of coastal erosion input does not reflect the fact that significant part of eroded TOC transforms to CO2 and releases to the atmosphere; 3) annual outgassing from the shallow ESAS of ~8 Tg C-CH4 is comparable with total methane emissions from all coastal seas of the World Ocean; 4) annual release of CO2 from the shallow ESAS to the atmosphere can reach up to 10 Tg C-CO2; 5) incorporating theses components into the current budgets could drastically change our understanding of processes ongoing over the entire arctic marine system.
Evaluation of Snowpack O3 and NOx Exchange at Summit, Greenland in a Single-Column Chemistry-Climate Model
Brian Seok1, Laurens Ganzeveld2, Detlev Helmig3, Richard Honrath4, Brie Van Dam5, Jacques Hueber6, Claudia Toro7, Louisa Kramer8, William Neff9Abstract:
1University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA, seok@colorado.edu
2Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands, laurens.ganzeveld@wur.nl
3University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA, detlev.helmig@colorado.edu
4Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
5University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA, brie.vandam@colorado.edu
6University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA, jacques.hueber@colorado.edu
7Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA, catoro@mtu.edu
8Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA, lkramer@mtu.edu
9National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, CO, USA, william.neff@noaa.gov
The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate a process-based representation of snowpack O3 and NOx exchange at Summit, Greenland for implementation in global chemistry–climate models. This development and evaluation activity uses a single-column model (SCM) version of the chemistry–climate model ECHAM4 coupled with ECMWF reanalysis. It contains explicit representation of atmosphere–biosphere surface trace gas exchange using a multi-layer canopy exchange model, which serves as the basis for implementing a mechanistic representation of snowpack gas exchanges. The new parametrization of snowpack processes is developed from observations presented at this meeting by Van Dam et al. and Toro et al.
First, micrometeorological observations (e.g. solar radiation, wind speed, air and snowpack temperatures, and pressure) of the SCM were evaluated. Second, the accuracy of simulated snow–atmosphere ozone fluxes was assessed. The SCM appropriately simulates the micrometeorology prerequisite to a fair evaluation of exchange of chemical compounds. The SCM also is able to suitably simulate ozone concentration gradients and fluxes between the snowpack and the snow surface when a first-order in-snowpack removal rate is imposed. Further development will be require to explicitly explain this removal rate as a function of physical and chemical sink processes in the snowpack.
Eventually, the updated SCM will be transformed into a new snowpack module to be used in the global chemistry climate model EMAC (ECHAM5-MESSy Atmospheric Chemistry model) to simulate the impact of air–snow O3 and NOx exchange upon the Arctic tropospheric O3 budget.
Assessing Biogeochemical Cycling and Transient Storage of Surface Water in Eastern Siberian Streams Using Short-term Solute Additions
Erin Seybold1, Travis Drake2, John Schade3, Ekaterina Bulygina4, Andy Bunn5, Sudeep Chandra6, Sergei Davydov7, Karen Frey8, Robert M. Holmes9, William Sobczak10, Valentin Spektor11, Katey Walter Anthony12, Sergei Zimov13, 14Abstract:
1St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, 55057, USA, seybold@stolaf.edu
2Carleton College, Northfield, MN, 55057, USA
3St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, 55057, USA
4Woods Hole Research Center, Falmouth, MA, 02154, USA
5Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, 98225, USA
6University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, NV, 89501, USA
7Northeast Science Station, Cherskiy, Russia
8Clark University, Worcester, MA, 01601, USA
9Woods Hole Research Center, Falmouth, MA, 02540, USA
10College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, 01601, USA
11Yakutsk State University, Yakutsk, Russia
12Water and Environmental Research Center, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, USA
13Northeast Science Station, Cherskiy, Russia
14USA
Recent studies highlight the role of stream networks in the processing of nutrient and organic matter inputs from the surrounding watershed. Clear evidence exists that streams actively regulate fluxes of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus from upland terrestrial ecosystems to downstream aquatic environments. This is of particular interest in arctic streams because of the potential impact of permafrost thaw due to global warming on inputs of nutrients and organic matter to small streams high in the landscape. Knowledge of functional characteristics of these stream ecosystems is paramount to our ability to predict changes in stream ecosystems as climate changes. Biogeochemical models developed by stream ecologists, specifically nutrient spiraling models, provide a set of metrics that we used to assess nutrient processing rates in several streams in the eastern Siberian Arctic. We quantified these metrics using solute addition experiments in which nitrogen and phosphorus were added simultaneously with chloride as a conservative tracer. We focused on 5 streams, three flowing across upland yedoma soils and two floodplain streams. Yedoma streams showed similar uptake of nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P), suggesting CO
Evidence of Vast Methane Release Over the East Siberian Arctic Shelf
Natalia Shakhova1, Igor Semiletov2, Anatoly Salyuk3, Vladimir Yusupov4, Ira Leifer5, Denis Kosmach6Abstract:
1International Arctic Research Center, University Fairbanks Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, Phone 907-474-2796, nshakhov@iarc.uaf.edu
2International Arctic Research Center, University Fairbanks Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, Phone 907-474-6286, igorsm@iarc.uaf.edu
3Laboratory of Arctic Research, Pacific Oceanological Institute FEBRAS, Vladivostok, NT, Russia, san@poi.dvo.ru
4Laboratory of Arctic Research, Pacific Oceanological Institute FEBRAS, Vladivostok, NT, Russia, iouss@yandex.ru
5Marine Sciences Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA, ira.leifer@bubbleology.com
6Laboratory of Arctic Research, Pacific Oceanological Institute FEBRAS, Vladivostok, NT, Russia, den-kosmach@mail.ru
The East Siberian Arctic Shelf (ESAS), which includes the Laptev Sea, the East-Siberian Sea and the Russian part of the Chukchi Sea, has not been considered to be a methane (CH4) source to hydrosphere or atmosphere because sub-sea permafrost, which underlies most of the ESAS was believed first, not to be conducive to methanogenesis and second, to act as an impermeable lid, preventing CH4 escape through the seabed. Here, recent observational data obtained during summer (2005–2009) and winter (2007) expeditions indicate the ubiquitous presence of elevated dissolved CH4and the atmospheric CH4 mixing ratio, and evidence of strong ebullition through shallow water column. The methane data were analyzed together with sonar measurements of bubble flow using a seabed lander, ship-based hydro-acoustical bubble observation and geophysical investigation of the seafloor. Available data suggest the ESAS subsea permafrost is leaking substantial CH4. This points permafrost failure to further conserve CH4 deposits in the ESAS, from which shallow hydrates are believed to be involved the most likely.
The ESAS is a unique area of World Ocean for a range of reasons: 1) As a marine ecosystem, the ESAS is markedly oligotrophic, which could limit microbial methane consumption (or production); 2) No comparable region has such an extensive continental shelf area; the ESAS shelf accounts for ~10% of the global continental shelf area; 3) The ESAS is very shallow, which provides a short conduit for seabed CH4 transfer to the atmosphere. 4) ESAS seabed CH4emissions are geologically controlled; specifically, by subsea permafrost, which for thousands of years was stable and impermeable. Permafrost failure uncorks the huge gas reservoirs, leading to large-scale releases. 5) The ESAS is a major reservoir for shallow arctic hydrates and subsea permafrost (more than 80% of existing subsea permafrost), thus potential CH4 release from the ESAS is enormous.
Development of Monitoring Plans for Arctic Marine Mammals
Michael A. Simpkins1, Kit M. Kovacs2, Lloyd F. Lowry3, Kristin L. Laidre4Abstract:
1Office of International Affairs, NOAA Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA, Phone 301-713-9090, Fax 301-713-9106, Michael.Simpkins@noaa.gov
2Polar Environmental Centre, Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø, N-9296 , Norway
3School of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99709, USA
4Polar Science Center, APL, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
The U.S. Marine Mammal Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service convened an international workshop in Valencia, Spain, 4–6 March 2007, to develop long-term, pan-arctic monitoring strategies for arctic marine mammals. Workshop participants recognized the need to monitor not only the population dynamics of marine mammals but also the key factors that drive those dynamics, including behavior, health status, trophic dynamics, habitat quality and availability, and the effects of human activities. Some factors may respond quickly to climate change and new human activities in the Arctic and thus may portend changes in the status of certain marine mammal species. Participants discussed previous and ongoing research and monitoring efforts for ringed seals and belugas and, using these species as case studies, developed a comprehensive monitoring framework for arctic marine mammals, including specific and general monitoring needs and tools that should be considered when developing integrated regional or species-based monitoring plans.
To develop and implement such plans, participants recommended that arctic nations convene international expert monitoring groups and charge the groups with: (1) developing and periodically updating comprehensive monitoring plans; (2) establishing research and monitoring priorities; (3) developing data collection and sharing protocols; (4) promoting research and monitoring partnerships; and (5) clarifying funding needs, identifying potential funding sources, and developing funding proposals.
Such a coordinated, multi-national and multi-disciplinary approach is essential to ensure that adequate information is available to conserve arctic marine mammals in the face of climate change and associated changes in human activities.
Belowground Impacts of Long-Term Warming on Tussock Tundra Soils
Seeta Sistla1, Joshua P. Schimel2Abstract:
1Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology, Univeristy of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA, Phone 805-893-4543, sistla@lifesci.ucsb.edu
2Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology, Univeristy of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
Arctic soils are among the largest stores of organic carbon (C). Because arctic warming is predicted to promote decomposition that will stimulate plant growth and changes in community composition, there is great interest in developing mechanistic descriptions of C dynamics as they respond to warming. A warming-driven shift in community structure towards increasing shrub dominance may increase the system's potential for C storage if vegetative C storage increases while microbial decomposition remains constrained by nutrient availability, a limitation that may be exacerbated by increasing plant competition for nutrients. We used a greenhouse experiment at the Toolik Long Term Ecological Research Site to explore the consequences of warming on soil C dynamics. Two decades of growing-season warming increased shrub abundance. While the most overt effects of warming were changing plant species composition and litter inputs, it was the deeper mineral soils that were most perturbed. We also are exploring the impact of long-term warming on early growing season pre-snowmelt microbial community composition in tundra soils. Biogeochemical changes detected in greenhouse mineral soils include: increased soil C:N driven by increase in total C content and increased microbial N coupled with decreased extractable organic nitrogen (N). Because soil temperature effects of greenhouse warming decrease with depth, the driving force in biogeochemical change appears to be the change in plant species composition, perhaps due to increasing plant-derived C inputs at depth. Overall, warming did not cause a net loss of C or N from the system, although over time shrub growth response to warming may be constrained by increasing N-limitation.
State of the Land Surface in the Arctic System Reanalysis
Andrew G. Slater1, David N. Kindig2, Mark C. Serreze3Abstract:
1National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, Campus Box 449, Boulder, CO, 80309-0449, USA, Phone 303-735-5358, aslater@kryos.colorado.edu
2National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, Campus Box 449, Boulder, CO, 80309-0449, USA, kindig@kryos.colorado.edu
3National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, Campus Box 449, Boulder, CO, 80309-0449, USA, serreze@kryos.colorado.edu
The Arctic System Reanalysis (ASR) is an Arctic specific reanalysis, conducted at a high spatial resolution (15km or less) for the 2000–2010 period. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, with a polar optimized physics selection, will form the basis of the ASR. WRF will use the Noah land surface model. While the atmosphere will have the benefit of 3D-Var assimilation, the land surface is presently planned to run with minimal assimilation. However, land surface model improvements pertinent to the Arctic have been made, for example to the soil lower boundary, conditions have been developed to better represent permafrost. Additionally we have examined portions of the land surface shortwave radiative budget with particular emphasis on albedo. Using station data from multiple locations
across Alaska we assess the incoming flux at the surface over the period August 2005–2006. Remote sensing data from the MODIS instruments is used to compare model results to snow cover fraction, snow albedo and most
importantly mean terrestrial albedo. Results suggest an autumnal bias of excess modeled snow cover and albedo. In the spring, the model often provides a terrestrial albedo that is within the span of MODIS pixels contained by a gridbox however compared to the observed mean/median, the model often displays a systematic error.
A Lightweight Vertical Rosette for Deployment in Ice Covered Water
William Smethie1, Dale Chayes2, Richard Perry3, Peter Schlosser4Abstract:
1Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY, USA, bsmeth@ldeo.columbia.edu
2Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY, 10964, USA
3Palisades, NY, USA
4Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Department of Earth and En, Columbia University, Palisades, NY, 10964, USA
In the Arctic Ocean, water samples are difficult to obtain from ships because of the extensive ice cover and thick pressure ridges. However, the ice provides a landing platform for aircraft, which can rapidly cover long distances. Aircraft have been used for sampling the Arctic Ocean for the past half-century using bottles and internally recording CTDs attached to a cable and lowered through leads or holes drilled in the ice. CTD/rosette systems have an advantage over this method in that they provide temperature, salinity and oxygen profiles that can be used to decide on vertical placement of water samples, but these systems are too bulky to use from an aircraft. We have developed a lightweight modular CTD/rosette system that is deployed through a 12-inch diameter hole drilled in the ice. The modules are connected together physically and electrically with the water bottle modules, which contain four 4-liter bottles each, stacked on top of the CTD module. The CTD traces are displayed on a laptop computer and the bottles are tripped using modified Seabird controllers and a melt-lanyard tripping mechanism. We have used this system for several years with Twin Otter fixed wing aircraft as part of the Switchyard Project, sampling a line of stations annually in the heavily ice covered region between Ellesmere Island and the North Pole. Casts are carried out in a tent connected to the airplane using a lightweight winch mounted in the airplane. This prevents freezing of the samples when the rosette is recovered. At the completion of a cast, the water modules are placed in a cooler with bags of snow to provide thermal stability at about 0°C and the end caps clamped shut. The modules are returned to a base camp where a variety of water samples are drawn and processed. We routinely measure samples for salinity, oxygen, nutrients, tritium, helium isotopes, CFCs, SF6, oxygen isotopes, barium and I-129, but the rosette sampler can be used for a wide range of substances. The water temperature of each bottle is measured when the oxygen sample is drawn and the average warming during the 6–10 hour transit time back to the base camp and during the sampling process is 2.5°C. There is no evidence in the gas samples of degassing or contamination with air and all samples are of very high quality. Vertical profiles will be presented to demonstrate data quality.
The Impact of Storms on a Gravel-dominated Coastline: Cornwallis Island, Canadian Arctic Archipelago
Dominique St. Hilaire1, Donald L. Forbes2, Trevor J. Bell3Abstract:
1Geography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NF, A1C2A4, Canada, dsthilaire@mun.ca
2Geological Survey of Canada, Dartmouth, NB, Canada, donaldl.forbes@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
3Geography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NF, A1B 3X9, Canada, tbell@mun.ca
Arctic beaches are noteworthy in that normal wave processes can only operate for a relatively short period of the year due to the presence of sea-ice. The role of low-frequency, high-magnitude storm events in causing rapid and sometimes catastrophic changes to arctic coastal morphology has been recognized by numerous authors since the 1960's. Published accounts of storm effects on arctic gravel beaches are however scarce compared to other types of coastal environment. This paper reports observed changes in beach morphology in relation to sea-ice free storm events along a gravel-dominated stretch of coastline on Cornwallis Island, central Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA).
The approach consists in linking changes in beach morphology to specific storm events using the closely monitored 2007 storm event (St. Hilaire et al., 2007) as a reference. Methods include multi-temporal analysis and mapping of modern and relict (raised) coastal systems using airphotos, satellite imagery and RTK GPS surveys as well as shallow-water mapping using multibeam sonar, single-beam and side-scan echo-sounders and sub-bottom profiler.
Preliminary results suggest that gravel beaches of the central CAA respond to moderate storm activity by morphological changes such as locally constrained erosion and accretion. These beaches however show minimal change when surveys are averaged over a period of several months to several years. This resilience can be attributed to the distinctive dynamic and morphosedimentary characteristics of gravel beaches and to the falling or stable relative sea-level characterizing the area.
Biophysical Moorings on the Eastern Bering Sea Shelf: 15 Years of Observations
Phyllis J. Stabeno1, Sue Moore2, Jeff Napp3, Kate Stafford4Abstract:
1Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98115, USA, Phone 206-526-6453, phyllis.stabeno@noaa.gov
2NMML, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98115, USA
3AFSC, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98115, USA
4APL, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
The southeastern Bering Sea shelf is one of the world's most productive marine ecosystems. This high latitude sea is characterized by high biological productivity and the seasonal presence of sea ice. Integrated ocean observations, from physical and atmospheric forcing to the distribution and abundance of top-level predators, is critical to investigating such marine ecosystems and the impact of climate change on them. To accomplish this, a series of biophysical moorings have been deployed at four sites along the center (approximately the 70 m isobath) of the broad (~500 km), eastern Bering shelf. They stretch ~800 km from M2 in the south to M8 in the north. The site at M2 has been instrumented for 15 years, while the other sites have been instrumented for 5-12 years. At each site, ocean temperature, salinity, nitrate, oxygen, chlorophyll fluorescence and currents are measured, and listening devices for marine mammals are also deployed. At the southern site, instruments that measure zooplankton biovolume provide important information on temporal variability of zooplankton. These biophysical moorings, coupled with extensive shipboard measurements, are being used to understand how this ecosystem is changing under the influence climate variability. These data have expanded our understanding of how ice modifies this ecosystem, from physical characteristics of the ocean and the timing of spring phytoplankton bloom to the distribution of fish and marine mammals. Distinct patterns in production (chlorophyll), zooplankton biovolume (copepods and euphausiids) and the occurrence of zooplankton predators (fin and right whales) are evident in the data and related to discrete features in the annual physical cycle. These data illustrate the capability and potential of integrated ocean observing systems (IOOS) to describe seasonal variability and linkages in a remote marine ecosystem.
Assessing Viability, Senses of Place, Mobility in INdustrial NOrthern COMmunities
Florian M. Stammler1, Gertrude Eilmsteiner-Saxinger2, Elena V. Nuykina3, Alla A. Bolotova4Abstract:
1Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, PL 122, Rovaniemi, 96101, Finland, Phone +358-4001388-07, Fax +358-1634127-17, fstammle@ulapland.fi
2Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, Wien, 1010, Austria, gertrude_e_saxinger@hotmail.com
3Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, PL 122, Rovaniemi, 96101, Finland, elena.nuykina@ulapland.fi
4Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, PL 122, Rovaniemi, 96101, Finland, Phone +358-4001388-07, alla.bolotova@gmail.com
The majority of Russia's northern population are southern incomers from various waves of relocation who built new industrial cities (resource extraction colonies) in the last 70 years. In the wake of massive outmigration from the Russian North, our research analyzes the relocation experience and senses of place of these people with qualitative social sciences methods. Their reasons for leaving or staying in the north affects the viability of northern settlement patterns. In addition to understanding the formation of communities and place attachment among industrial relocatees and commuters, our analyses explain why recent demographic regulation policies have not brought the intended results. At the same time new models of commute work in resource extraction are being implemented that cause significant social side-effects for the communities that are worth monitoring in detail; a field that is so far poorly developed. Reasons for these inconsistencies include alongside poor implementation, financing and communication among institutions; also the underestimation of senses of belonging to place among non-indigenous northerners.
Surface Radiation Balance at Summit, Greenland
Konrad Steffen1Abstract:
1Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, CB 216, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA, konrad.steffen@colorado.edu
The determination of a global climatology of the radiation budget at the surface of the Earth is fundamental to understanding the Earth's climate system, climate variability and climate change resulting from human influence. Global estimates of the surface radiation budget cannot be inferred reliably from satellite observations without high accuracy surface-based measurements at various sites in contrasting climatic regions for calibration and validation. Long-term observations of the same accuracy are also required to assess trends within climatic regions. Such measurements are essential in assessing theoretical treatments of radiative transfer in the atmosphere, verifying climate model computations, and for studying trends in surface radiation at scales smaller than normally associated with climatic regions.
The Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) was installed at Summit, Greenland in summer 2000; this BSRN is the only high-latitude, high-elevation site in the world and hence instrumental in assessing the short- and long-wave radiative fluxes with great precision and high temporal resolution. The BSRN requires that all radiation variables be sampled at 1 HZ with an averaging time of one minute. The final output for each variable should consist of the one-minute mean, minimum, maximum and standard deviation. The radiation parameters measured are: direct solar irradiance, diffuse radiation, global radiation, reflected shortwave radiation, down-welling long-wave radiation and upwelling long-wave radiation.
The radiation climatology will be presented for all radiation parameters; the sum of all radiative fluxes (net radiation) is positive during the April–August time period with a value around 140 MJ m
Seasonal and Decadal Variation of Weather and Climate Extremes in the Arctic
Brooke C. Stewart1, John E. Walsh2, William L. Chapman3Abstract:
1Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Univeristy of Illinois, 105 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA, stewar14@atmos.uiuc.edu
2International Arctic Research Center (IARC), University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 757340, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
3Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Illinois, 215 Atmospheric Sciences Building, MC 223, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
Decadal mean temperatures show a warming over the past 60 years at individual stations in Alaska and the frequency of extremes (defined as the upper and lower percentiles) show corresponding decadal variations for some, but not all stations. The ratio of highest-percentile to lowest-percentile temperature occurrences has increased in the past decade, especially in the colder half of the year. Occurrences of precipitation extremes show more varied trends over the past 60 years, although there are indications that heavy precipitation events track the decadal mean precipitation amounts and that the frequencies of heavy precipitation vary inversely with the occurrence of extended dry periods. We will present the spatial and seasonal distributions of the variations of extremes of temperature and precipitation in the context of changing climatic means in Alaska.
Changes in Ecosystem Production, Soil Nutrient Availability and Microbial Biomass in a High Arctic Semi Desert During the Growing Season and the Freeze-in Period
Sarah H. Svendsen1, Casper T. Christiansen2, Niels M. Schmidt3, Anders Michelsen4Abstract:
1Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology Section, University of Copenhagen, Oester Farimagsgade 2D, Copenhagen K, DK-1353, Denmark, Phone +45-353-24700, bjeverskov6@yahoo.dk
2Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology Section, University of Copenhagen, Oester Farimagsgade 2D, Copenhagen K, DK-1353, Denmark, Phone +45-353-24700, ctchristiansen@bio.ku.dk
3Department of Arctic Environment, NERI, University of Aarhus, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, Roskilde, DK-4000, Denmark
4Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology Section, University of Copenhagen, Oester Farimagsgade 2D, Copenhagen K, DK-1353, Denmark
Carbon dioxide fluxes in a high arctic semi desert at Zackenberg Research Station in Northeast Greenland were measured continuously from the 5th of July through 10th of October, covering both the growing season and the freeze–in period. To study the effects of anticipated increased summer precipitation due to climate change, water has been added weekly during the growing season to the field plots since 1996. Water addition was combined with phosphorus and nitrogen amendment in 1996, 1997 and 2007 in a fully factorial design to simulate the effects of increased nutrient availability due to expected future warming. CO2 efflux was measured in situ in closed chambers as uptake through gross ecosystem production (GEP), release through ecosystem respiration (ER), and as net ecosystem production (NEP). Furthermore, soil respiration, nutrient availability and microbial C, N and P were measured at intervals throughout the experiment.
Preliminary results show that water addition has a significant, positive effect on ER during the growing season in complex interactions with nitrogen and phosphorus addition. Likewise, GEP increased with combined water and phosphorus addition. Water addition significantly increased fine root biomass as well as microbial biomass C and P, possibly due to greater root exudation from the increased below ground plant biomass. During the growing season an increase in microbial C/N-ratio was observed, indicating a shift in the microbial community composition.
Our results indicate that future increased mineralization and precipitation during summer will have a greater impact on GEP than ER as the increase in CO2 uptake in plants exceeds the increase in ecosystem respiration in this high arctic semi desert. Hence, increased summer precipitation in widespread high arctic semi desert may lead to denser vegetation and faster nutrient organic matter turnover. Data collected during the freeze-in period are currently being analysed.
Using Real-Time Communication Technology to Bridge Students and Real Science Research During the International Polar Year
Kristin Timm1, Janet Warburton2Abstract:
1Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S., 3535 College Road, Suite 101, Fairbanks, AK, 99709, USA, Phone 907-474-1600, Fax 907-474-1604, kristin@arcus.org
2Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S., 3535 College Road, Suite 101, Fairbanks, AK, 99709, USA, Phone 907-474-1600, Fax 907-474-1604, warburton@arcus.org
Live from the International Polar Year (IPY)!, transported students and the public to remote polar locations through live from the field calls and internet presentations during the International Polar Year (2007-2009). Live from IPY! uses a simple online interface to support real-time presentations, audio, text chat, and when possible, video, as an interactive, web-based education resource. From isolated locations such as the Greenland Ice Sheet or a Coast Guard vessel navigating the Arctic Ocean, teachers and researchers in the polar regions interacted with students in real time. Whether communication was limited to a satellite phone or presenters had high speed internet, Live from IPY events were successful because they were free and they relied on simple technology that could be adapted to different field and classroom environments.
From January 2007 to January 2010, the Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. hosted 69 Live from IPY! events, including six events celebrating the International Polar Days held in conjunction with the International IPY Programme office. Each event is archived and available on the PolarTREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating) website. In total, over 14,000 people participated in Live from IPY! events from numerous states across the U.S. and other countries. The majority of participants, 83%, were K–12 students, and over 1,000 questions and answers from students and the public have been shared over the connection. Our experience facilitating the events shows students engaged in an unparalleled educational science and technology experience, and educators opening doors to greater understanding and confidence in bringing technology into the classroom.
Thanks to funding from the National Science Foundation, the Live from IPY! events will be part of the legacy of the fourth International Polar Year.
PolarTREC Excites Student Involvement in the International Polar Year
Kristin Timm1Abstract:
1Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S., Fairbanks, AK, 99709, USA, Phone 907-474-1600, Fax 907-474-1604, kristin@arcus.org
PolarTREC, Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating, matched 50 teachers from across the United States with researchers for two to eight week field research experiences in the polar regions during the International Polar Year (2007–2009). During their involvement in PolarTREC, teachers were immersed in interdisciplinary polar science across the Arctic and Antarctica–from the Greenland ice sheet to the Amundsen Sea. Participating teachers returned from their expeditions empowered with new purpose and conviction for their teaching, oodles of classroom material, and a newfound network of scientific content experts.
Fascination and a need for better understanding has drawn researchers and teachers to the polar regions. Our understanding of the polar regions points to a changing environment that tomorrow's scientists, engineers, technicians, leaders and citizens must understand. Connecting teachers and polar researchers through PolarTREC at this pivotal moment has engaged students in active and meaningful learning through a variety of educational tools and activities. Student work featured in this display includes artwork, songs, movies, and student research posters, projects and papers. Please enjoy browsing this inspiring collection.
PolarTREC was funded during the International Polar Year by the National Science Foundation and is managed by the Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S.
For more information about PolarTREC visit: http://www.polartrec.com
Canadian Ice Service Digital Archive: Trends and Variability 1968–2008
Adrienne Tivy1, Stephen Howell2, Roger DeAbreu3, Steve McCourt4, Bea Alt5, Richard Chagnon6, Tom Carrieres7, Hai Tran8, 9Abstract:
1International Arctic Research Center, Fairbanks, AK, 99709, USA, ativy@iarc.uaf.edu
2Climate Processes Section, Environment Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada, stephen.howell@ec.gc.ca
3Canadian Ice Service, Environment Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada, roger.deabreu@ec.gc.ca
4Canadian Ice Service, Environment Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada, steve.mccourt@ec.gc.ca
5Balanced Environmental Associates, Ottawa, ON, Canada, bea.alt@ec.gc.ca
6Canadian Ice Service, Environment Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada, richard.chagnon@ec.gc.ca
7Canadian Ice Service, Environment Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada, tom.carrieres@ec.gc.ca
8Canadian Ice Service, Environment Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada, hai.tran@ec.gc.ca
9USA
The Canadian Ice Service (CIS) Digital Archive (CISDA) is a compilation of the weekly operational Regional Ice Charts that cover Canadian waters. During the IPY, the data (1968 to present) was made available to the public on the CIS website and the archive was extended and improved by the addition of the climatological Historical Ice Charts. This study identifies trends and variability in ice concentration from CISDA. Prior to the analysis, the quality of the data was assessed by first quantifying errors in the estimates of ice concentration and ice type, and then by identifying any potential bias in estimates by comparing the data with other sea ice data sets. The data revealed that between 1968 and 2008, summer sea ice cover has decreased by -8.9% ± 3.1% decade
Managing Arctic Infrastructure in a Changing Climate: A Focus on Canada
Amelia A. Trachsel1Abstract:
1Civil Engineering, University of Manitoba, Box 466, Warren, MB, R0C3E0, Canada, Phone 204-18-1041, amelia.trachsel@gmail.com
Northern infrastructure is especially vulnerable to climate change. Currently, arctic climates have been experiencing unanticipated levels of change on many fronts. With respect to infrastructure, this results in rising maintenance costs and an increased risk of failure. The costs to maintain infrastructure in the face of climate change and the associated economic issues from crippled supply chains should provide Canada with an impetus for wanting binding international emissions targets.
Infrastructure is designed for a certain lifetime under a specific set of circumstances that pertain to its location and intended use. When those conditions are violated, it brings into play a set of unexpected costs that can lead to budget overruns and cause huge problems in communities that have no backup infrastructure. For instance, many structures in the north rely on permafrost as an integral part of their design; however, the consequences of thawing permafrost may not have been given due consideration.
Climate change also has effects on construction and maintenance of seasonal infrastructure like winter roads. This, in turn, impacts community health and prosperity, as a shortened winter road season may delay the delivery of food, consumer goods, building materials, and fuel.
It is recommended that Canada take a more proactive approach in surveying the current state of northern infrastructure and should model the effects of climate change on this infrastructure to develop a projection of future maintenance and rehabilitation costs. This could help with departmental resource allocation and prevent unplanned, costly replacements of existing infrastructure by predicting potential problems before they happen.
The Importance of Including Arctic Issues in Engineering Education
Amelia A. Trachsel1Abstract:
1Civil Engineering, University of Manitoba, Box 466, Warren, MB, R0C3E0, Canada, Phone 204-218-1041, Amelia.Trachsel@gmail.com
Although a great deal of Canada's resources are situated in the arctic and subarctic regions, very little attention is paid in the engineering curriculum to the unique concerns and challenges presented by developing the North. There are no Canadian universities that offer dedicated Arctic Engineering programs, nor do the traditional engineering disciplines of civil, mechanical, and electrical address technical issues arising from the constructing projects in the Arctic. Yet, many engineering graduates will find themselves working in Canada's north.
By including design concerns that arise from working in the north into the engineering curriculum, it would better prepare engineering graduates for practicing their profession. Sustainable development and environmental concerns should play a key role in arctic engineering education. Adapting northern infrastructure to the effects of climate change is another issue that will affect engineering practices in Canada's north. Bridging the development gap between the isolated communities of Indigenous Peoples in northern Canada and the affluent south is another engineering issue, but with more of a human focus. All of these topics respond to demands in industry for multidisciplinary engineering expertise. Thus, the exposure to arctic issues within the engineering curriculum would benefit industry, new graduates, as well as the arctic region itself.
A number of methods could be used to introduce these concepts into the engineering curriculum. Design courses could introduce more situational and region-specific components into their coursework to get students to think critically about the location they are designing for. Or, a more ambitious approach could require students to undertake a real-life development project to improve the quality of life in a northern community. Through this integrated approach, engineering students will gain the understanding that the arctic must not be treated in a colonial manner; due attention must be given to human issues, lagging infrastructure development, as well as resource extraction.
Indigenous Knowledge as a Source for Designers: From the Pure Tradition, Through the Multicultural Mix, To the New Arrivals
Svetlana Usenyuk1Abstract:
1Industrial Design / School of Architecture, Art and Design, Ural State Academy of Architecture and Art / University of Huddersfield, Yekaterinburg / Huddersfield, 620042, Russia, Phone +7-922-146-37-7, svetlana.usenyuk@gmail.com
The uniqueness of the Russian Arctic territories lies in the fact that this is one of the few places on the Earth where an eco-friendly way of life has been preserved. The culture of the indigenous populations of the Arctic has conserved till today the protogenic experience in the life of reindeer breeders, hunters and fishermen with their original tools, household habits, dwellings, clothes, vehicles, etc. This stable socio-natural system can become a "field laboratory", a "range" for studying the ecological principles, techniques, and specific features of life in the extreme environment for use on a global (circumpolar) scale— for making a contribution to the development of a global strategy to ensure sustained existence of mankind.
The focus is on the studying the indigenous way of life in the light of the profession of design, i.e. with the emphasis on the material culture. The goal of the comprehensive research work is to develop a model of the emerging New Arctic Culture (culture of newcomers) through using aboriginal "patterns" of adaptation.
The presentation contains three models of how designers could use the traditional knowledge, in other words— indigenous wisdom. It also suggests several examples: the projects of Master's degree students from the Ural State Academy of Architecture and Art.
Back to the Future (BTF): Resampling Vegetation Plots to Assess 45 Years of Change in Arctic Plant Communities in Baffin Island, Canada
Sandra Villarreal1, Craig Tweedie2, Patrick J. Webber3, David Johnson4Abstract:
1University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA, svillarreal3@miners.utep.edu
2Systems Ecology Lab, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
3Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
4University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
Arctic ecosystems are undergoing significant changes due to anthropogenically-induced climate warming. To determine the consequences of a changing climate, there is a need to better understand biotic responses that are occurring at various scales in the Arctic. In particular, plant communities are responding to these environmental changes with shifts in species abundance and diversity. Vegetation plays a key role in primary productivity, nutrient cycling, surface energy budget, and trophic interactions at all levels in the Arctic. This study focuses on documenting changes in arctic plant communities by re-sampling vegetation plots established in 1964 as part of a vegetation gradient analysis covering 200m
Reconstruction of Early Holocene West Greenland Ice Sheet and West Greenland Current Using Radiocarbon Dating and Foraminiferal Assemblages
Mariah E. Walton1, Anne Jennings2Abstract:
1Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder & Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, 5162 Holmes Place, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA, waltonme@colorado.edu
2Geology, Institute for Arctic and Alpine Research & University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA, anne.jennings@colorado.edu
Benthic foraminiferal assemblages from two marine sediment cores on the West Greenland continental shelf are used to investigate changes in the Greenland Ice Sheet (GIS) and the West Greenland Current (WGC) during the early to mid Holocene. Analyzed cores (343300, HU2008-029-070PC,TC) are members of a transect of cores extending from the mouth of Jakobshavn Isbrae in Disko Bay to the slope of the continental shelf. Jakobshavn Isbrae is the largest West Greenland ice stream and drains 6.5% of the GIS. The use of marine sediment cores to constrain the maximum extent of Jakobshavn and its retreat is a relatively new technique. Basal dates from these sediment cores indicate the initial retreat may have been much earlier than previously believed (11.1 cal ka BP at the bay mouth), and more rapid on the shelf than inside the bay (basal date of 11.8 cal ka BP on the outer shelf). Insight into the cause and timing of this retreat is obtained from the microfossil foraminiferal record. Foraminifers are single celled protists that construct shells of CaCO3 and agglutinated particles. They can be used as paleoclimate proxies due the dependence of species prevalence on temperature, surface conditions and nutrient availability (most nutrients being carried in by the WGC). Species indicative of cooled Atlantic water (Cassidulina neoteritis and C. reniforme) in these cores suggest that subsurface intrusion of relatively warm Atlantic water may have played a role in this rapid deglaciation. As present ice stream retreat has also been tied to warmed subsurface waters, improving our understanding of this past behavior may help elucidate changes in the WGC and GIS today.
Why Ice Minima Occurred in 2007, '08 and '09
Jia Wang1Abstract:
1NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, 4840 S. State Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, USA, Phone 734-741-2281, Fax 734-741-2055, jia.wang@noaa.gov
The record low arctic sea ice occurred in September 2007, followed by the second lowest in 2008 and the third lowest in 2009. Although the Dipole Anomaly (DA) has been identified as the major driver, what are the mechanisms for arctic sea ice to gradually recover? This study examines these three cases in a great detail to search for dynamic and thermodynamic sound mechanisms, along with historical observations. It comes to the conclusion that under the thin-ice preconditioning (warming) during winter season by a strong positive Arctic Oscillation (AO) in the 2009 winter, local meridional wind anomaly associated DA during winter to summer is a major forcing for sea ice recovery. Other mechanisms will be discussed.
PolarTREC—Researcher–Educator Partnerships and the Legacy of the IPY
Janet Warburton1Abstract:
1Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S., 3535 College Road, Suite 101, Fairbanks, AK, 99709, USA, Phone 907-474-1600, Fax 907-474-1604, warburton@arcus.org
PolarTREC—Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating was a three-year (2007–2009) NSF-funded program of the Arctic Research Consortium of the US, which matched 50 teachers with researchers for two to eight week Teacher Research Experiences (TRE) in the Arctic and Antarctica during the fourth International Polar Year. PolarTREC contributes to the legacy of the IPY through the creation and dissemination of polar education resources, prolonged teacher–researcher relationships and contributions to scholarly knowledge on the impacts of TRE's.
Participating teachers brought scientific information about the polar regions to schools and communities through multimedia web-based communications and live events. Live events from the field attracted over 14,000 participants and PolarTREC teachers have constructed nearly 100 classroom lesson plans and activities as products of their experiences.
Although the research experience is central to the PolarTREC Model, many participants cite the ongoing collaboration and the relationship they built with their teacher/researcher as one of the best outcomes of the program. In addition, most participating scientists reported that the outreach activities related to the PolarTREC teacher positively impacted their project. Researcher satisfaction was reflected in the interest to repeat the experience, and many researchers have applied to host an additional PolarTREC Teacher.
Participating teachers cited PolarTREC as a life-changing professional development experience, which led to increases in their knowledge of the polar regions, science careers, the scientific process and effective instruction methods. Students of PolarTREC teachers reported an increased understanding of numerous science subject areas and that they explored science research activities more often.
The IPY emphasized improved scientific understanding through innovative approaches to education and outreach programming. Tested during the IPY, PolarTREC can serve as a model teacher research experience program for application in other contexts and locations to help scientists share their research with a broader public and progress student understanding to become the scientists and decision-makers of tomorrow.
Alaska's Exemplary Program: The Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI) Over A Quarter Century of Success of Educating, Nurturing, and Retaining Alaska Native and Rural Students
Denise Wartes1Abstract:
1Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI), University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 756305, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, Phone 907-474-6886, Fax 907-474-5624, mdwartes@alaska.edu
Begun in 1983, RAHI is a six-week summer college-preparatory summer bridge program on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus for Alaska Native and rural high school juniors and seniors. The program's students are 94 percent Alaska native. RAHI students take classes that earn them 7-11 college credits. Courses include writing, study skills, Alaska native dance or swimming, and a choice of geoscience, biochemistry, math, business, education, or petroleum engineering.
A program of rigorous academic activity combines with social, cultural, and recreational activities to make up the RAHI program of early preparation for college. Students are purposely stretched beyond their comfort levels academically and socially to prepare for the big step from home or village to a large culturally western urban campus. They are treated as honors students and are expected to meet all rigorous academic and social standards set by the program.
All of this effort and activity support the principal goal of RAHI: promoting academic success for rural students in college. Over 28 years, 1,300 students have attended the program. Of these students, 488 have received degrees ranging from a medical doctor, five lawyers, two PhD's, 39 masters, 274 bachelors, 116 associates, and 51 certificates. At least 300 students from the program are presently attending college this semester.
An April 2006 report by the American Institutes for Research funded through the National Science Foundation found that rural Native students in the UA system who participated in RAHI are nearly twice as likely to earn a bachelor's degree than those who did not attend RAHI.
In 2007 and 2009 in celebration of the International Polar Year and in collaboration with Ilisagvik College, at the completion of the traditional RAHI program, ten RAHI students flew to Barrow each summer for an additional two weeks of study. Half participated in an archaeological dig and the remainder performed research with the Barrow Arctic Science Consortium scientists studying climate change. In 2008, one RAHI student was chosen to participate in the Students on Ice Arctic Expedition.
Global warming is an issue that is hotly debated, as its' effects are so evident in the polar regions. In the Arctic, one's life is directly tied to the ice and snow. As the ice disappears and/or changes, the indigenous people have to adapt. RAHI is doing what it can to assist young people to be a part of the change.
Operation Ice Bridge Data Management
Ronald L. Weaver1, Marilyn Kaminski2, Jeffery Deems3Abstract:
1National Snow and Ice Data Center, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado at Boulder, Campus Box 449, Boulder, CO, 80309-0449, USA, Phone 303-492-7624, Fax 303-492-2468, ronald.weaver@colorado.edu
2 , National Snow and Ice Data Center, , Boulder, CO, , USA, marilynk@nsidc.org
3National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, CO, USA, Jeffrey.Deems@nsidc.org
Operation Ice Bridge (OIB) is a new National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) airborne mission making laser altimetry, radar, and other geophysical measurements to monitor and characterize the Earth's cryosphere. The Ice Bridge mission will operate from 2009 until the launch of ICESat II, estimated for 2015. The platforms include the NASA DC-8, P3, and eventually UAS. The instruments include laser altimeters and lidar imagers, ice penetrating radars, gravimeters, and other new technology instrumentation.
The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) at the University of Colorado at Boulder Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), will provide support for data collected by the Ice Bridge missions. In addition to the necessary data management, discovery, distribution, and outreach functions, we will also develop tools that will enable broader use of the data, and integrate diverse data types into cohesive forms to enable new science research. This paper will present the current status of the OIB data management effort at NSIDC and the near-term plans to accomplish the tasks described below.
Two guiding principles are the focus of our work for IceBridge: ensuring preservation of data, and maximizing usage of the data. The scientific and programmatic nature of the IceBridge mission is very fluid and our management approach will be oriented to effectively handle that fluidity within our project. Four directed tasks initially defined for Ice Bridge are described in this presentation. These are: Broker IceBridge Data Sets; Implement Tools and Services; Develop Value-added Science Products; and Ingest Selected Science Data Products.
The Permafrost Tunnel near Fox, Alaska Expansion Project
Dan White1, Matthew Sturm2, Margaret Cysewski3, Larry Hinzman4Abstract:
1Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 755910, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA, dmwhite@alaska.edu
2U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Fairbanks, AK, USA, matthew.sturm@usace.army.mil
3U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Fairbanks, AK, USA, mcysewski@gmail.com
4International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, lhinzman@iarc.uaf.edu
The Fox Permafrost Tunnel, now almost 50 years old, will be expanded in the next few years to stimulate research in key permafrost areas. The tunnel, 10 miles north of Fairbanks, Alaska, was excavated in the 1960s by the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) and U.S. Bureau of Mines. It was not excavated to become a natural laboratory, but rather to research excavation methods in permafrost. In spite of the limitations, more than 70 technical papers have been written about the tunnel, including topics on mining and geotechnical engineering, surface geophysics, geocryology, geology, biology, paleontology, paleoclimatology and Mars permafrost studies. It does provide a good example of yedoma permafrost seen throughout the Interior Alaska and Siberia, with high ice content, organic-rich loess and massive ice features. Beyond the research, thousands of people, both students and leaders, have toured the tunnel to learn about permafrost firsthand.
The permafrost tunnel expansion is in response to climate warming as well as long standing issues related to building on permafrost. The main research foci is expected to be on these four critical areas: 1) improving standoff detection technology and surface geophysical methods for monitoring permafrost, 2) understanding how permafrost will respond to warming, 3) improving estimates of carbon stocks and release rates, and 4) developing models of permafrost heterogeneity for engineering.
The expanded tunnel will more than double the current tunnel's length, and is designed to directly incorporate research needs. Some design ideas include: a) detailed 3D map of complex permafrost features, b) extensive baseline mapping and sampling, c) side rooms to allow for permafrost warming experiments, d) boardwalks and gantry above tunnel for test geophysics and remote sensing. In addition to the expanded tunnel, new facilities will be built on site, including laboratories, offices, cold rooms, and a learning center. Combined, these will form the Alaska Permafrost Research Center (APRC). http://permafrosttunnel.crrel.usace.army.mil/
Aerosol Optical Properties Over the South Atlantic and Southern Ocean During the 140th Cruise of the M/V S.A. Agulhas
Dale I. Wilson1, Stuart Piketh2, Alexander Smirnov3, Brent Holben4Abstract:
1Climatology Research Group, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag X3, WITS, Johannesburg, South Africa, smudgedale@gmail.com
2Climatology Research Group, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, stuart.piket@wits.ac.za
3AERONET, NASA, Greenbelt, MD, USA
4AERONET, NASA, Greenbelt, MD, USA
Atmospheric aerosols have direct and indirect impacts on the Earth's radiation budget and the radiative forcing on the climate system. A large uncertainty exists regarding aerosols and the effect they have on the earth's radiation budget and global change. The distribution, concentration and types of aerosols are therefore of great importance regarding global warming and climate change. The purpose of this study is to present the atmospheric aerosol characteristics found over the South Atlantic, Southern Ocean and Antarctic continent as well as identify their origin. The aerosol optical properties over the South Atlantic and Southern Ocean region is analyzed during the South African National Antarctic Expedition 2007/2008 (SANAE 47) take over cruise on board the M/V S.A. Agulhas. Very low aerosol optical thickness (AOT) values were obtained for the Antarctic Coastal region with a mean AOT500nm of 0.028 and a mean Angstrom exponent of 1.766. The South Atlantic region showed a mean AOT500nm of 0.061 and a mean Angstrom exponent of 0.690. AOT values for the South African coastal region were similar to those in the South Atlantic with a mean AOT500nm of 0.074 and a mean Angstrom exponent of 0.755. Data comparisons confirm that the data acquired during the study are consistent with previous research from the study region. Comparisons were made between the dataset and the MODIS satellite aerosol product. A discrepancy was shown to exist between the MODIS aerosol product and the acquired dataset using the Microtops II Sunphotometer. Both MODIS TERRA and AQUA overestimate AOT at 550nm.
Using Landsat and Radar Satellite Data to Assess Burn Severity of Two Fires in East Siberia Using a Differenced Normalized Burn Ratio Approach
Boyd J. Zapatka1, Karen Frey2Abstract:
1Clark University, Worcester, MA, USA, bzapatka@clarku.edu
2Clark University, Worcester, MA, USA, kfrey@clarku.edu
East Siberian forests contain one-quarter of the world's growing stock volume of coniferous forests. The main disturbance-based impacts on boreal forests in East Siberia are pervasive summer fires. Recent modifications to the arctic carbon budget demonstrate the large role of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from Siberian fires that are significant at the global scale. Understanding the severity of fires across the Siberian arctic landscape is critical if we are to better refine estimates of GHG emissions and forest regeneration capacities. Typically fires are of anthropogenic origin and can be quite severe, often burning through most of the seasonally-thawed active layer of soils. Previous studies suggest that fires are stand-reducing and expose carbon-laden permafrost to microbial decomposition. In this study, we use Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imagery pre- and post-burn to investigate burn severity. Two fires that burned in the summer of 2007 were identified in Landsat TM imagery based on the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Level 5 Burned Area product. Using a differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) approach, we quantified burn severity and validated it using SAR data to detect changes in surface roughness. We show correlations between SAR-based surface roughness and Landsat-based dNBR images for both fires, suggesting this method is appropriate for detecting burn severity in east Siberian forests. Using the measure of severity from these two datasets, we make preliminary inferences about burn severity of other fires in the east Siberian landscape and discuss the effects of severe burns on carbon cycling throughout the region. This project is part of the Polaris Project, an NSF-funded undergraduate field program based out of Cherskiy, Russia (www.thepolarisproject.org).
Session Topics
The abstract session topics, organized under the four major conference themes, have been structured to facilitate cross-disciplinary exchange and discussion. Each session is designed to incorporate abstracts from the social, physical, natural, and political sciences, and encourages multi- and cross-disciplinary submissions.
Some abstracts might fit under more than one session—in such cases we encourage submission to the session that seems to offer the best fit.
The Organizing Committee and Session Chairs will refine the program and might change, create, or combine sessions, depending on the submitted abstracts. The Organizing Committee may also convene sessions on inter-disciplinary approaches on special topics, as appropriate.
Theme 1 Sessions: Advances in Understanding the Arctic System, Including Human Dimensions
- 1.1 Advances in Understanding Arctic System Components
Contributions on progress in observing and understanding diverse arctic system components (e.g., terrestrial systems, marine biology, cryosphere, hydrosphere, socioeconomic dynamics, paleo perspective). Contributions can focus on local, regional, or pan-arctic scales. This session is appropriate for disciplinary contributions on aspects of the arctic system. Observational and modeling studies are encouraged. - 1.2 Understanding the Linkages and Feedbacks Between the Arctic System Components
Contributions on new insights into the functioning of the integrated arctic system derived from discipline-oriented studies. Contributions can be drawn from local, regional, and pan-arctic scales. Examples include: interactions between ocean, atmosphere, and sea ice; interactions between global and local change on living conditions in the Arctic; consequences of thawing permafrost on hydrology and ecology; retreat of sea ice on marine biology; etc. - 1.3 Approaches to Integrated Studies of the Arctic System
Contributions including studies on pan-arctic scales (observations, synthesis, modeling) aimed at understanding the complex interactions and feedbacks between the arctic system components. Explorations on our understanding of how the interactions of the individual components of the system shape its overall dynamics. - 1.4 Challenges in Arctic System Studies
Contributions on the limits of our present methods for studies of the arctic system in an integrated fashion (e.g., limits to observing capacity, lack of regional models, challenge of downscaling from global/regional to regional/local levels). Contributions should address how our ability to answer the key scientific questions concerning arctic environmental change is limited by the lack of observational coverage, modeling capability and/or capacity, knowledge of how well the arctic system can be projected, etc.
Theme 2 Sessions: Arctic Change
- 2.1 Observations of Arctic Change
Contributions on recent observations of arctic change in all components of the arctic system, including human dimensions and the impact of change across components. Contributions can range in scope from studies of individual sites to the pan-arctic scale. Integrated data sets covering two or more subsystems of the Arctic are encouraged. Reports from repeat observations and time series outlining variability and/or trends in the observed variables are especially welcome. - 2.2 Design and Optimization of an Integrated Arctic Observing System
Contributions on results from existing and emerging networks with the goal to derive information on optimization of Arctic Observing Systems. Multiple methodologies to analyze the results from observing systems with respect to the optimum number of sensors and frequency of measurement required for addressing scientific questions. Empirical observing system design studies and Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs) are encouraged, as are modeling contributions to the optimization of arctic observing systems. Emphasis will be on how these elements will contribute to the science questions guiding arctic environmental change studies. Contributions that address integration of observing system components across several subsystems are especially encouraged. - 2.3 Arctic Change and Natural Variability
It is still not well understood to which extent anthropogenic trends and natural variability in the Arctic interact with each other and produce the observed patterns of change. In order to separate these signals, we need a solid understanding of the natural variability on all scales in the arctic system derived from instrumental records, paleo proxies and modeling studies. This session solicits contributions focusing on natural variability obtained by these methods and their contribution to the observed arctic change signal. - 2.4 Attribution of Arctic Change and Anthropogenic Forcing
Contributions on how primary anthropogenic drivers such as emissions of greenhouse gases, land use, exploration, and changes in socioeconomic interaction with low latitude communities translate into the observed changes in the arctic system and its components. Contributions can include observational and/or dynamical/modeling approaches. - 2.5 Understanding Arctic Change and Projection of Future States of the Arctic System
Capability to project the present state of the arctic system to future states under different forcing scenarios. Contributions on projection of single domains, as well as the integrated arctic system including the human domain on different time scales (seasonal, interannual, decadal, centennial) using a variety of approaches (for example, examining persistence of trends, statistical models, or numerical models) are encouraged. - 2.6 Responses to Arctic Change
Contributions on ongoing adaptation of the arctic system to the observed change, as well as on options to design strategies that would minimize the adverse effects resulting from expected future change. Contributions include studies on ongoing adaptation, as well as those of possible measures to deal with changing environmental parameters, landscapes, permafrost patterns, shipping routes, population and socioeconomic shifts.
Theme 3 Sessions: Linkages to the Earth System
- 3.1 Interaction Between the Arctic and Lower Latitudes
Contributions that examine the principal mechanisms that couple the Arctic to the Earth system, including large-scale atmospheric teleconnections, ocean circulation, hydrological cycle, human activities such as migration, land use and resource development, and other processes. - 3.2 Low-latitude Forcing of Arctic Change
Contributions on the forcing of arctic change through human activities or natural processes at lower latitudes, such as socio-economic drivers and the impacts of globalization or societal change, the emission of greenhouse gases, aerosols and short-lived pollutants, or large-scale catastrophic events such as major volcanic eruptions. - 3.3 Arctic System Response to Low-latitude Forcing
Contributions on how the Arctic reacts to global and regional forcing from lower latitudes. Of particular interest is the discussion of mechanisms that may either dampen perturbations or prompt further, possibly amplified arctic change, e.g., through internal feedbacks, adaptation or corrective action at the local, regional, and pan-arctic scales. - 3.4 Feedback of Arctic Change onto the Earth System
Contributions on principal mechanisms through which processes and changes in the Arctic impact the Earth system. For example, impacts on the global radiation balance, freshwater budgets and ocean circulation, sea level rise, release of greenhouse gases from thawing permafrost and by Arctic nations, resource extraction in a climate of environmental and geopolitical change, the emerging role of the Arctic in the context of regional and global security and its potential importance for marine transportation and renewable resources (e.g., fisheries), etc.
Theme 4 Sessions: Human Dimensions of Arctic Change: Translating Research into Solutions
- 4.1 Defining the Solution Space
Contributions on stakeholder needs and desires for responding, adapting to and mitigating arctic change; the role of researchers in defining problems and solutions; the integration of stakeholder knowledge, including indigenous and local knowledge, and the role of science, education and technology in solution development. - 4.2 Establishing Priorities for Mitigation and Adaptation and Evaluating Solutions
Contributions on ways to establish and evaluate priorities for problem solving. Evaluations of new and ongoing efforts to develop solutions for responding and/or adapting to a changing arctic are strongly encouraged. - 4.3 Communicating Knowledge and Information
Contributions on new and innovative approaches to the communication of scientific information about arctic change to a broad array of stakeholders. Particularly encouraged are papers that evaluate current methods and their effectiveness for enabling the use of scientific information in policy development across multiple scales of organization, in educational including curriculum development, in the popular and mass media, and at the level of the individual. - 4.4 The Interface of Science and Policy
This session provides a forum for discussion of the utility of different theoretical frameworks (e.g. resilience thinking) to policy makers and the information they need from scientists, the effectiveness of policy instruments such as the Arctic Council, and the influence of policy decisions on different sectors and aspects of the arctic system such as natural resource extraction, transportation, and adaptation initiatives.
