Documents

ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Attachment to

ATT004 to WP001: Review of ATCM Recommendations on Operational Matters (Attachments A, B and C)

Summary:

Working paper 1 (WP001) on the Review of ATCM Recommendations on Operational Matters is the result of a combined effort by COMNAP, IAATO, IHO, SCAR and WMO to update twelve recommendations under the categories: logistics, siting of stations, aircraft, hydrography, fuel storage and handling, contingency planning, shipping regulations, and telecommunications; and eight technical recommendations relating to meteorology. The paper outlines the procedure involved and provides a table showing the status of each recommendation.

The suggestions are presented in three attachments. Attachment A contains the suggestions for the twelve recommendations which required updating; Attachment B contains the suggestions for the two recommendations which required further advice from COMNAP and SCAR; and Attachment C contains the suggestions for the eight recommendations related to meteorology from WMO.

Within each attachment, the format is as follows: First, the original recommendation, decision or resolution is shown. Then, there is a suggestion either for final report language or for an updated recommendation, decision or resolution. Such updates are usually presented in “track changes” mode so that it can clearly be seen where changes are being suggested and what those changes are.

ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Attachment 125 to Background Paper 21 (BP021)

ATT125 to BP021: Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment: An Update (Attachment)

Journal Article

Turner, J., Barrand, N., Bracegirdle, T., Convey, P., Hodgson, D., Jarvis, M., . . . Klepikov, A., 2014. Antarctic climate change and the environment: An update. Polar Record, 50(3), 237-259. doi:10.1017/S0032247413000296

Abstract:

We present an update of the ‘key points’ from the Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment (ACCE) report that was published by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) in 2009. We summarise subsequent advances in knowledge concerning how the climates of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean have changed in the past, how they might change in the future, and examine the associated impacts on the marine and terrestrial biota. We also incorporate relevant material presented by SCAR to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings, and make use of emerging results that will form part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report.

ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Background Paper

BP014: SCAR Lecture: Probing for Life at its Limits: Technologies for Exploring Antarctic Subglacial Ecosystems

by Prof Mahlon ‘Chuck’ Kennicutt and co-authored by Prof Jemma Wadham

Submitted: 14/05/2013

See also the lecture slides and lecture text.

Full text:

SCAR Lecture: “Probing for life at its limits: Technologies for the exploring Antarctic subglacial ecosystems”

Author: Professor Jemma Wadham is a low temperature biogeochemist at Bristol Glaciology Centre, School of Geographical Sciences, the University of Bristol, UK. She is co-chair of the SCAR ATHENA Expert Group (Advancing TecHnologies and ENvironmental stewardship in Antarctica).

Presenter and co-Author: Professor Mahlon “Chuck” Kennicutt II is a chemical oceanographer in the Department of Oceanography at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, U.S.A. He is Past President of SCAR and was Secretary of the SCAR Subglacial Antarctic Lake Environments (SALE) Scientific Research Program.

Background:

Antarctic Subglacial Aquatic Environments (SAEs) are recognized as central to many processes that have shaped the polar ice sheets both today and in the past. They include a range of features that differ in geologic setting, age, evolutionary history, hydrological conditions and size, and include subglacial lakes, ponds, swamps, intermittently flowing rivers and thick sediments. These environments are “natural” earth-bound macrocosms, which in some instances trace their origins to a time before Antarctica became encased in ice. Antarctic SAEs remain the least explored sector of the cold biosphere, yet are now known to be viable habitats for microbial life despite the harsh environmental conditions. Within these sub-surface aquatic environments microbial life drives chemical weathering, which in turn exports dissolved nutrients and carbon to downstream ecosystems and greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The full spectrum of sub-ice environments present beneath the Antarctic continent provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore and study one of Earth’s last frontiers and decipher fundamental clues to the planet’s history, climate and biology.

The last 10 years has witnessed a dramatic increase in the profile of Antarctic SAEs and the impetus for their study. This raised profile was linked strongly to the activity of SCAR via SALE, AG-CCER-SAE and ATHENA. It culminated in the funding of four campaigns to access and directly sample SAEs (the Lake Vostok, WISSARD, Lake Ellsworth and BEAMISH programmes). The next phase of Antarctic SAE exploration is very likely to be shaped by the availability of technology for addressing core science goals. This lecture aims first, to identify the science questions driving technology development for the future exploration of subglacial aquatic ecosystems and second, to present the current status of available technologies for sub-Antarctic science.

For more information see the associated Information Paper IP82: Advancing technologies for exploring subglacial Antarctic aquatic ecosystems (SAEs).

ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Background Paper

BP020: The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Selected Science Highlights for 2012/13 

Submitted: 30/04/2013

Summary:

This Background Paper highlights some recent key science papers published since the last Treaty meeting and should be read in conjunction with the Information Paper “The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Annual Report for 2012/13” (IP004). Although not highlighted here, the latest ACCE update (see Information Paper) should also be consulted as it contains many pertinent references to climate change in the Antarctic region. It should also be noted that this is by no way a complete list (there have been many highly significant papers published over the last year) but represents a sample of key science papers highlighted by SCAR groups.

ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Background Paper

BP021: Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment: An Update

Submitted: 30/04/2013

Summary:

This Background Paper is the full “Antarctic climate change and the environment: an update” paper recently published in the journal Polar Record. It should be read in conjunction with the Working Paper that summarises the key highlights. The paper presents an update of the ‘key points’ from the Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment (ACCE) report that was published by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) in 2009. It summarises subsequent advances in knowledge concerning how the climates of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean have changed in the past, how they might change in the future, and examines the associated impacts on the marine and terrestrial biota. It also incorporates relevant material presented by SCAR to previous Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings, and make use of emerging results that will form part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report.

The paper is available as attachment 125 (ATT125) and online from Cambridge University Press. Note that this has been made available to the Treaty with kind permission of the journal Polar Record. The Copyright remains with Cambridge University Press.  

ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Information Paper

IP004: The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Annual Report for 2012/13

Submitted: 03/04/2013

Summary:

The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) is a non-governmental, Interdisciplinary Scientific Body of the International Council for Science (ICSU), and Observer to the Antarctic Treaty and the UNFCCC. This SCAR Annual Report highlights and provides updates on SCAR activities that are of particular interest to the Treaty Parties, gives details of SCAR Fellowships and Prizes, lists major SCAR meetings and shares any other relevant news from the 2012/13 period. 

ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Information Paper

IP005: The Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) 2012 Report

Submitted: 03/04/2013

Summary:

The Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) is a joint initiative of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR), and endorsed by the Partnership for Observations of the Global Ocean (POGO), and the Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR) and Climate and Cryosphere (CliC) projects of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP). This paper reports on activities and milestones of SOOS in 2012 and planned activities for 2013. 

ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Information Paper

IP019: 1st SCAR Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science Horizon Scan

Submitted: 11/04/2013

Summary:

ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Information Paper

IP052: Ocean Acidification: SCAR Future Plans

Submitted: 22/04/2013

Summary:

This paper summarizes future plans of SCAR in relation to ocean acidification. It recognises concern over changes in the carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration of the Southern Ocean and its associated effect on marine organisms. It outlines the plans of the SCAR Ocean Acidification Action Group, led by Dr. Richard Bellerby (Norway), to document the scientific understanding of ocean acidification.

ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Information Paper

IP082: Advancing Technologies for Exploring Subglacial Antarctic Aquatic Ecosystems (SAEs)

Submitted: 07/05/2013

Summary:

ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Information Paper

IP083: The International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean (IBCSO): First Release

Submitted: 07/05/2013

Summary:

The International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean (IBCSO) project was initiated in 2006 with the objective to design and implement an enhanced digital database that contains bathymetric data available south of 60°S latitude. IBCSO is endorsed by international organizations such as the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).

Access to high quality Southern Ocean bathymetry information is key to understanding a range of ocean and cryospheric processes. Sea floor topography controls ocean circulation and ocean mixing – and has strong influence on global climate. For example, it is critical for understanding and modelling oceanic gateways and barriers, the nature of the thermohaline circulation and the flow of Antarctic bottom water and the stability of the Antarctic ice sheets.

In April 2013 IBCSO Version 1.0 was released by the Alfred-Wegener-Institute (AWI), in Germany. AWI hosts the data repository and the IBCSO web site and over the years has been responsible for populating the database and quality control to rigorous standards. A final map was also generated at AWI and further details can be found in Arndt (2013)

The map and data are now available for download and a printed version will also be available. More details can be found on the International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean program website. 

The IBCSO database currently consists of more than 4200 million data points contributed by more than 30 institutions from 15 countries. It is foreseen that this database forms the nucleus upon which to build and to include future bathymetric data in order to further enhance the knowledge of Southern Ocean topography. SCAR urges all Treaty Nations to continue to contribute data to this important database.

ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013, Brussels, Belgium

An overview of SCAR Papers submitted to ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013

ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Working Paper

WP001: Review of ATCM Recommendations on Operational Matters (with COMNAP, IAATO, IHO, WMO)

Submitted: 26/03/2013

Summary:

This working paper is the result of a combined effort by COMNAP, IAATO, IHO, SCAR and WMO to update twelve recommendations under the categories: logistics, siting of stations, aircraft, hydrography, fuel storage and handling, contingency planning, shipping regulations, and telecommunications; and eight technical recommendations relating to meteorology. The paper outlines the procedure involved and provides a table showing the status of each recommendation.

The suggestions are presented in three attachments (ATT004). Attachment A contains the suggestions for the twelve recommendations which required updating; Attachment B contains the suggestions for the two recommendations which required further advice from COMNAP and SCAR; and Attachment C contains the suggestions for the eight recommendations related to meteorology from WMO.

Within each attachment, the format is as follows: First, the original recommendation, decision or resolution is shown. Then, there is a suggestion either for final report language or for an updated recommendation, decision or resolution. Such updates are usually presented in “track changes” mode so that it can clearly be seen where changes are being suggested and what those changes are.

ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Working Paper

WP028: Antarctic Environments Portal: Progress Report (with New Zealand, Australia, Belgium and Norway)

Submitted: 05/04/2013

Summary:

At CEP XV (2012), New Zealand, SCAR and Australia introduced the concept of an Antarctic Environments Portal. This paper provides an update on the development of the Portal, addresses issues raised during informal intersessional discussions, and outlines the next steps for the project. Members are invited to provide further feedback, which will be taken into consideration in the development of a draft Portal by June 2014, and the launch of a fully functional Portal by June 2015. A mock-up of the Portal, highlighting its functionality, will be demonstrated during CEP XVI.

ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Working Paper

WP037: www.biodiversity.aq The new Antarctic Biodiversity Information Network (with Belgium)

Submitted: 05/04/2013

Summary:

Belgium is coordinating the renewed international Antarctic Biodiversity portal (www.biodiversity.aq). This portal builds on the legacy of the SCAR Marine Biodiversity Information Network (SCAR-MarBIN) and the Antarctic Biodiversity Information Facility (AntaBIF), providing access to both marine and terrestrial Antarctic biodiversity data. The data portal is a key element of the new SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research) scientific research programmes ‘State of the Antarctic Ecosystem’ (AntEco) and ‘Antarctic Threshold- Ecosystem resilience and Adaptation’ (AnT-ERA). The scientific coordination and technical implementation of biodiversity.aq is supported by the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO), through the Belgian Biodiversity Platform (www.biodiversity.be).

Antarctic marine and terrestrial biodiversity data is widely scattered, patchy and often not readily accessible. In many cases the data is in danger of being irretrievably lost. Biodiversity.aq establishes and supports a distributed system of interoperable databases, giving easy access through a single internet portal (www.biodiversity.aq) to a set of resources relevant to research, conservation and management pertaining to Antarctic biodiversity.

This paper outlines the objectives of Biodiversity.aq and provides recommendations to the Treaty partners in relation to the network.

ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Working Paper

WP038: The Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment (ACCE) Report: A Key Update

Submitted: 05/04/2013

Summary:

This paper represents a major update of the original SCAR Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment (ACCE) report (Turner et al., 2009). It summarises subsequent advances in knowledge concerning how the climates of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean have changed in the past, how they might change in the future, and examines the associated impacts on the marine and terrestrial biota.

ATCM XXXVI and CEP XVI 2013, Brussels, Belgium

Working Paper

WP039: Human Footprint in Antarctica and the Long-term Conservation of Terrestrial Microbial Habitats (with Belgium, South Africa and the United Kingdom)

Submitted: 05/04/2013

Summary:

Recent advances in molecular biology techniques have shown the presence of diverse microbial communities and the existence of species endemic to Antarctica. This means that the scientific value of Antarctic terrestrial microbial habitats can be compromised to a greater extent than previously realised by human visitation. The ever-increasing human footprint in Antarctica make consideration of this topic more pressing, as the number of locations known to be pristine habitats, where increasingly sophisticated cutting-edge research techniques may be used to their full potential, declines. The purpose of this paper is to highlight potential threats both to the conservation of terrestrial microbial ecosystems in Antarctica, and to future scientific research requiring study of these ecosystems.;