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Opportunities
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The following are opportunities to build partnerhips between the polar communities of China and the U.S.
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Laboratory for Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics, University of Texas at San Antonio (12/06/07)
Contacts: Stephen F. Ackley, Res Assoc Prof, U Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and Visiting Professor, Clarkson Univ. Stephen.Ackley@utsa.edu and Hongjie Xie, Asst. Prof., Dept of Geol.Sciences, Laboratory for Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics, UTSA Hongjie.Xie@utsa.edu
Summary: The Laboratory for Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics at the University of Texas San Antonio has ongoing collaborative research on Tibetan plateau snow cover with colleagues in Lanzhou and elsewhere in China. UTSA is currently hosting students from China and routinely support faculty exchanges.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATE - Marine Science and Engineering in China (12/6/07)
Contacts: Hayley H. Shen, Professor, Universityhhshen@clarkson.edu and Hung Tao Shen, Civil and Env. Engr.Dept., Clarkson
Summary: Clarkson University manages various exchange programs for Chinese students and faculty in partnerhsip with several institutions in China. One program is a Research Experience for Undergraduates in Marine Science and Engineering in China jointly supported by Clarkson University, Ocean University and Dalian University of Technology.
Antarctic Astronomy Meeting at the American Astronomy Society (AAS) Meeting - (12/1/07)
7-11 January, 2008 - Austin, Texas, USA
Contact: Lifang Wang, Department of Physics, Texas A&M University lifanwang@gmail.com
Summary: A meeting is scheduled in the margins of the 2008 American Astronomy Society (AAS) of scientists involved with astronomy in Antarctica. While the primary target group is those collaborating with the Polar Research Institute of China, (PRIC) the meeting is open to all. The American Astronomical Society (AAS), established 1899, is the major organization of professional astronomers in North America. The basic objective of the AAS is to promote the advancement of astronomy and closely related branches of science. The membership (~6,500) also includes physicists, mathematicians, geologists, engineers and others whose research interests lie within the broad spectrum of subjects now comprising contemporary astronomy.
POLENET- Polar Earth Observation Network (12/01/07)
Contacts: Yue Zhao, Research Professor, Deputy Director, Institute of Geomechanics, CAGS yue_zhao@cags.net.cn or yuezhao@public3.bta.net.cn and Prof. Douglas A. Wiens, Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University doug@seismo.wustl.edu
Summary: POLENET is a consortium of 24 nations that aims to improve the coverage of many different kinds of geophysical data across the polar regions of the Earth. It has been endorsed as a core activity of the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008. It will overcome the scarcity of observational systems in the Earth's polar regions and will provide a legacy in observational infrastructure. Technological capabilities in deploying autonomous systems in extreme environments will be developed and extended new datasets will be made available to the global science community. POLENET will enable new research into the interaction between the atmosphere, oceans, polar ice-sheets and the Earth's crust and mantle. New insights into the Earth's magnetic field and deep Earth structure will be possible from the important vantage point of high-latitude geophysical observatories.
U.S./Chinese Ship-of-Opportunity Sampling and Research Program (11/19/07)
Contacts: Xiaojun Yuan, Do Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University xyuan@ldeo.columbia.edu ; Zhaoqian Dong, Polar Research Institute Of China, and Douglas G. Martinson, Doherty, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University.
Summary: Supported by National Science Foundation of United States and Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration, scientists from Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University and Polar Research Institute of China have collaboratively conducted two oceanographic sampling programs in the Southern Ocean since 1997. The overarching motivation of these programs was to obtain consistent long-term time series measurements in regions of the Southern Ocean notably lacking in data and to address scientific issues regarding the polar ocean's role in the global climate. These earlier programs have assessed the feasibility and practicality of obtaining annually repeated upper ocean temperature and salinity profiles from the Chinese research vessel, R/V Xuelong, during its annual Antarctic re-supply runs, and established the foundation of a reliable sampling program that could be readily extended to a low-maintenance long-term sampling effort.
Polar Ice Core Research and International Partnerships in Ice Core Sciences (IPICS) (11/19/07)
Contact: Jihong Cole-Dai, South Dakota State University (Jihong.Cole-Dai@sdstate.edu), Yuansheng LI, Polar Research Institute of China (LYSH@pric.gov.cn)
Summary: Ice cores provide detailed records on past variations of the climatic and atmospheric environment. Valuable information on the global climate system and environmental trends can be extracted from these records that improves our understanding of the changing global environment and climate. The U.S. is conducting a major ice core project in West Antarctica (West Antarctica Ice Sheet Divide Ice Core, WAIS Divide) to obtain a detailed ice core record of climate variations during the last 100,000 years.
China is planning an extensive ice coring program at Dome A in East Antarctica. Both China and the U.S. are participants in the International Partnerships in Ice Core Sciences (IPICS) . One of the main objectives of IPICS is to obtain a longest continuous ("oldest ice") ice core record of climate in Antarctica. The WAIS Divide, Dome A, and IPICS "Oldest Ice" projects are the most promising vehicles to launch and sustain long-term US-China collaboration in polar ice core research.
Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) (11/09/07)
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Contact: Adam Klaus, IODP, Texas A&M University aklaus@iodp.tamu.edu
Summary: China is an Associate Member of Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP)providing a linkage to Texas A&M University via the University's role as the United States Implementing Organization (http://www.iodp.org/funding-agencies/2/ ). As such IODP-China is entitled to sail 3 scientists per year on the ship operated to provide scientific ocean drilling services (JOIDES Resolution). Two Chinese scientists are scheduled to sail in 2008 on the Pacific Equatorial Age Transect expeditions (317, 319). Nominations are currently being evaluted for participation in Expedition 318 to the Bering Sea including nominations from IODP-China. Two more expeditions will begin staffing in early 2008 (321- Canterbury Basin, off New Zealand; 323- Wilkes Land Paleoceanography off Antactica) and will also include scientists nominated by IODP-China. IODP Is currently scheduled to undertake two polar expedition once the ship completes its refit
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Expedition 323- Wilkes Land Paleoceanography. This expedition will investigate the long-term record of Antarctic glaciation and its relationship with global sea level, paleoclimate and paleoceanographic changes.
Ice Sheet and Ice Shelf Dynamics (11/05/07)
- Contact: Robert Bindschadler, NASA Robert.A.Bindschadler@nasa.gov
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Summary: Ice Shelves are known to be a very important component of the ice sheet - ice shelf - ocean system. Discussions at the Washington meeting emphasized the benefits of the US and China comparing approaches, techniques and results for exploring the sub-ice-shelf environment and its interaction with the ocean. For example, the US is studying the Pine Island Glacier ice shelf and the Chinese are studying the Amery Ice Shelf and comparisons of these two different systems may lead to important insights about ice-shelf processes. The West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) workshop is held annually in the US. This year WAIS will meet with FRISP (Forum for Research in Ice-Shelf Processes) tacitly the European counterpart to WAIS. In 2008, the WAIS/FRISP combined workshop will meet in Europe at a site and time to be arranged. There will be a WAIS workshop at the usual site for those unable to travel to Europe. Dr. Bindschadler has a small NSF support grant for these workshops that might be used for the travel of one Chinese researcher to the WAIS/FRISP meeting.
Remote Sensing and GIS Applications in Antarctica (11/05/07)
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Contacts: Hongxing Liu liu@geog.tamu.edu and Andrew Kleinklein@geog.tamu.edu, Texas A&M University
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Summary: Remote sensing and GIS techniques have been used for high-resolution modeling of surface topography, ice motion, and mass balance including the mapping of Antarctic ice sheet margins and snow melt zones. Synthetical Aperture Radar (SAR) and interferometry has been used to study ice flow dynamics and topography, SAR stereo imaging for surface topography, ASTER stereo imaging for surface topography, passive microwave (SSMI) remote sensing for surface snow melting, ICESAT GLAS laser altimetry for surface topography and mass balance. The historical retreats of several Alpine glaciers have been measured using Landsat, ASTER, MODIS and IKONOS satellite images. Surface snow melting in the Amery Ice Shelf is being measured using the thermal images of ASTER and MODIS. A large quantity of GIS and remote sensing data are available for the Amery and Lambert region. Sharing of the research experiences and data with colleagues working within the PANDA project on the Amery Ice Shelf wouldbenefit both programs. There is an opportunity for training of researchers at the Polar RIesearch Institute of China and for the development of joint China-US projects using remote sensing and GIS.
Ice Breaker Ship Time in the Arctic Ocean Basin (11/05/07)
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Contact: Jinping Zhao jpzhao@ouc.edu.cn, Ocean University and John Calder John.Calder@noaa.gov, NOAA
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Summary: The US and China are discussing joint multi-ship crusies in the Arctic Ocean as part of the IPY. The deployment of US scientists in 2008 and 2009 on the Chinese ship Xue Long (Snow Dragon) is being considered. In the summer of 2008, a 3-ship in situ observation field campaign is being discussed that would include NOAA surveys in the Chukchi Sea along the Russian shelf-break to near Svalbard, NSF projects at the North Pole, and Chinese activities from the Chukchi Sea to the North Pole and back. China plans to conduct an Arctic cruise in the Bering and Chukchi Seas and the Canadian Basin. China is exploring the possibility of chartering a Russian ice breaker as an escort vessel for cruises in the central Arctic Basin . NSF is conisdering sharing the cost of ship-time to support mooring operations at the North Pole. NOAA is exploring the feasibility of cruises along the Russian shelf break after the North Pole cruise using the same Russian icebreaker. China encourages collaboration with foreign scientists and will provide 10-15 berths for non-Chinese scientists on its ships. Applications for funding of the 2009 Chinese Arctic Ocean cruises is pending.
Long Term Ecological Reseach Workshop (11/05/07)
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Contact: Henry Gholzhgholz@nsf.gov , US National Science Foundation
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Summary: A planning workshop for Long Term Ecological Reseach (LTER) is scheduled for the spring of 2008
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The Xiangshan Science Meeting- Polar Planning Meeting, 15-17 January, 2008 (11/05/07, Updated 11/20/07))
- Contact: Huigen Yang yanghuigen@pric.gov.cn, PRIC
- Summary: The Xiangshan Science Meeting is a strategy planning meeting for China's science developement. The first Xiangshan Science Meeting on polar science wil be convened in . About 40 participants will be allowed and some experts from abroad wil be included. The meeting place and date is tentatively determined on 15-17 Jan. 2008. (by invitation only)
2009 George Bush Conference on China-US Relations (11/05/07)
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Summary: The George Bush Conference on China-US Relations is held every two years. In the past, Roundtables focused on specific topics have been solicited and included in the meeting agenda. The Roundtables are jointly reviewed by the China and US organizing committees. If accepted the organizing committee provides limited funds to organize the session. In 2009 the George Bush Conference will be held in China. It is possible to propose a polar science Roundtable subject to application and approval. Additional funds will be needed to support US participant travel to China.
Antarctic and Arctic Oceanography (11/05/07)
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Contacts: Jiping Liu Jiping.Liu@eas.gatech.edu, Georgia Institute of Technology, Zhanhai Zhang, zhangzhanhai@263.net.cn, State Oceanic Administration, and Huigen Yang yanghuigen@pric.gov.cn and Bo Sun (Polar Research Institute of China).
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Summary: During the IPY 2007-2008, Southern Ocean sea surface temperature data will be compiled that has been collected on Chinese Antarctic research cruises (i.e., ship, CTD/XBT/XCTD, and infrared radiation thermometer). Directly measured surface turbulent fluxes in the Southern Ocean and over the Antarctic sea ice will be analyzed and bulk flux models will be evaluated and improved. Sea ice mass balance buoys in the Arctic Ocean will be deployed to measure sea ice thickness using airborne EM sensor and on-ice drilling. Sea ice data will be generated and used to validate and improve remote sensing of sea ice and sea ice models.