Arctic Ocean Research and Supporting Facilities: National Needs and Goals (1995)

OCEANOGRAPHIC CENTERS AND FACILITIES SECTION

Dear Bill:

The Ocean Sciences Division of NSF requests the Ocean Studies Board in cooperation with the Polar Research Board review and evaluate the scientific requirements for an Arctic Research Vessel (ARV) in the context of national research needs in the Arctic ocean regions. The report will be most useful if completed by September 1995 with an interim science and technical report in the May/June 1995 timeframe.

The following is a draft framework for the proposed review for consideration. I proposed to develop the final review charge jointly with you to ensure both direct NSF items and possible additional items of interest to the OSB are included to provide a balanced report.

1. Scientific requirements for Arctic Research Vessel.

   • Review/synopsis of past scientific reports and studies

   • Identification of current and projected science requirements for next decade(s).

   • Identification of base of support in research community. Who? Where?

   • Opportunities for international collaboration. Added value?

   All issues should be addressed in the context of national research needs-i.e. all agencies, not NSF alone.

2. National facilities to meet scientific requirements.

   • ARV design, research capabilities, and operations

   • Polar-class icebreakers, capabilities, and operations

   • Other platforms

   • • Nuclear research submarine

     • New Coast Guard construction (Healey)

     • Other?

     • International facilities contribution to requirements

3. Resource projections and requirements

   • Projected agency programs

   • Science and logistics resource requirements

4. Management options and recommendations

   • National facility

   • Other

UNOLS Fleet Improvement Committee. 1994. Arctic Research Vessel: Preliminary Design Report. UNOLS Fleet Improvement Committee Report. Fleet Improvement Committee Office, Texas A&M University, College Station, Tex.

Untersteiner, N. 1990. Some problems of sea ice and climate modeling. Veroffentlichungen der Universitat Innsbruck 178:209-228.

Walsh, J.J. 1989. Arctic carbon sinks: Present and future. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 3:393-411.

Walsh, J.J. 1995. DOC storage in arctic seas: The role of continental shelves. Pp. 203-230 in W.O. Smith, Jr. and J.M. Grebmeier (eds.), Arctic Oceanography: Marginal Ice Zones and Continental Shelves. American Geophysical Union, Washington D.C.

Wessel, P., and W.H.F. Smith. 1991. Free software helps map and display data. EOS, Transactions, American Geophysical Union 72:445-446.