Call for Papers
High Latitude Changes in Ocean, Ice and Climate
European Geophysical Union General Assembly
13-18 April 2008
Vienna, Austria
Abstract Submission Deadline: 14 January 2008
For further information, please go to:
http://meetings.copernicus.org/egu2008/
Papers are invited for "High Latitude Changes in Ocean, Ice and Climate"
(session OS7) to be convened at the European Geophysical Union General
Assembly on 13-18 April 2008, in Vienna, Austria.
Session description:
The polar regions raise considerable scientific interest due to recent
changes and multi-decadal scale variability. The arctic sea ice summer
extent has been shrinking at a rate of 7-9 % per decade, and
observations show sea ice thinning and increasingly warm inflow of
Atlantic water into the Arctic. Extreme changes in sea ice cover have
been observed during 2007, and there is indication for positive
feedbacks playing an important role. Trends in the Antarctic are less
clear, but a dynamic range of changes has also been observed, such as
disintegration of icebergs, warming in certain peripheral areas, and
cooling in the pole region.
Possible reasons for current changes are seen in large-scale circulation
changes, with partly unclear connection to the ongoing global warming.
Large-scale changes might have triggered self-sustaining polar feedback
mechanisms. The strength and character of feedbacks depends on
small-scale and coastal processes, as well as on large-scale dynamics.
An integrated understanding of the ongoing and possible future changes
in high latitudes requires more field observations, as well as further
improved modeling capabilities. Model development greatly benefits from
observations, and models can help optimizing observational campaigns.
The ongoing IPY is igniting a focused research effort in the polar
oceans. Programs like DAMOCLES, SEARCH, and others are utilizing a new
generation of observational tools, e.g., autonomous underwater vehicles,
with the potential to advance understanding of processes under the ice.
The 20th century has shown considerable variability. Besides focusing on
changes in recent years and decades, much information on coupled polar
systems can be gained from long-term studies involving past
observations, proxy data, reconstruction, and modeling efforts. To
improve understanding and simulation capabilities, extended efforts to
decennial and multi-decennial timescales are needed.
Session organizers encourage presentations on processes in ocean,
atmosphere, and ice affecting Arctic or Antarctic oceans with their
varying ice cover and interaction with the global oceans. Observational
studies are welcome, as are reconstruction and modeling results of past,
recent, and possible future climate in the polar regions.
For further information and to submit an abstract, please go to:
http://meetings.copernicus.org/egu2008/
or contact:
Ralf Doscher
E-mail: ralf.doescher [at] smhi.se