WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION
__________________
GCW-IM-1/Doc. 4.2.5
(15.XI.2011)
________
GLOBAL CRYSOPHERE WATCH
Implementation Meeting
First Session
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
21 – 24 NOVEMBER 2011
Agenda Item: 4.2
Original: ENGLISH
ANTARCTICA: BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY
Submitted by Steve Colwell, BAS
At the British Antarctic Survey we study many areas of the cryosphere from mapping the
Antarctic sub-glacial topography, radar and seismic surveys, collecting and analysing ice
cores and colleting meteorological data. My main area of expertises is the surface
meteorology and also in producing web interfaces to allow people to access the data that
has been collected, I have been involved in a SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic
Research) project called READER (REference Antarctic Data for Environmental Research)
which has produced the best dataset of Antarctic surface and upper air temperature data.
More detail about these areas is given below.
Ice cores
One of the major contributions of cryospheric science to our knowledge of change and
variability comes from ice cores. These can provide time series running from sub-annual to
800,000 years (at most), offering time series for, among other components:
a) Local and regional temperature, mainly through the use of water isotope
measurements
b) Atmospheric composition, including that of greenhouse gases, through direct
measurements of air in bubbles in the ice
c) Other climate forcings, for example through measurements of volcanic sulphate and
cosmogenic isotopes giving access to information on solar strength
d) Snow accumulation rates, through measurements of layer thickness
e) Sea ice extent through chemical proxies that appear to reflect regional ice extent
f) Pollution of remote areas through chemical measurements in individual ice caps
The interaction with GCW could be in two directions. Firstly, the calibration of ice core
proxies requires the best possible datasets for parameters such as (a) isotopic content of
precipitation (through GNIP), (b) meteorological reanalysis data, (c) sea ice extent data.
However ice cores can also extend the time period in which we have reasonable datasets –
of polar temperature, accumulation and sea ice extent. The longest time period ice cores
(extending many thousands of years) are rather unique and do not require any significant
level of integration – the data are generally made available through global databases at
NOAA/NCDC and Pangaea. However, ice cores extending back some centuries are
numerous, and their synthesis is a current focus of effort.
As a first step, this is being achieved in polar regions through the PAGES Antarctica2k
initiative (http://www.pages-igbp.org/workinggroups/antarctica2k), and the parallel PAGES
Arctic 2k initiative (http://www.pages-igbp.org/workinggroups/arctic2k).
Radar and Seismic
We are interested in several aspects of ice sheet data in north and south. We collect a lot of
radar, seismic and satellite data and are as much interested in mapping, understanding
process, and acquiring data for model validation, as monitoring.
We lead the Bedmap mapping of Antarctic sub-glacial topography
http://www.antarctica.ac.uk//bas_research/data/access/bedmap/
We are particularly interested in gaining access to satellite data streams, in easy to
incorporate formats, and would be happy if more use could be made of our airborne radar
data, although the formats and volume of such data makes it somewhat hard to manage.
Meteorology
At the British Antarctic Survey we hold surface and upper air meteorological data from most
of the manned stations and automatic weather stations. A project was setup by SCAR to
collect all of the individual hourly measurements and carry out intensive quality control on
them and then re-calculate monthly mean values for temperature, pressure wind speed and
wind direction. We also hold some records of precipitation type and cloud information.
One area that needs improving is measurement of precipitation amount which as most of it
falls as snow is an important factor for the cryosphere. This is a very hard parameter to
measure but would be a very useful dataset.
Sea Ice
It would be good to have better seasonal forecasting of sea ice to help with planning of ship
operations.
Realtime sea ice and iceberg information is being delivered through the Polar View portal
http://www.polarview.aq/ which is hosted at BAS. Polar View delivers information about sea
ice and icebergs direct to ships operating in the Southern Ocean. Several types of satellite
imagery are used to deliver a comprehensive, detailed and up to date picture of sea ice
extent and distribution. Better knowledge of sea ice conditions contributes directly to
improved ship safety and efficiency. Safer and efficient ship operations also help to protect
the Antarctic environment.