SGER Proposal: Iceberg drift in the near-shelf environment, Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica

最近罗斯冰架上一座大型冰山(B15)的崩解提供了一个独特的机会来测量控制大型板状冰山漂移的过程，包括风驱动和温盐流、潮汐、海冰和风。在美国南极计划的后勤保障范围内，如此巨大的冰山崩解是罕见的。因此，B15的崩解提供了一个令人兴奋的机会来研究冰山漂移以及与南极环境长期稳定有关的冰山行为的所有其他方面。过去，巨大的板状冰山的非凡淡水量被确定为具有人类经济价值的自然资源(例如，对于地球上缺水的地区)。将冰山拖到缺水地区的可行性研究在很大程度上被认为是科幻小说。然而，板状冰山通常是自然过程的结果，行程数千英里，如果了解这一过程，或许可以利用这一过程来实现人类经济和社会价值。我们建议对B15a、B15b和较小的冰山(B16、B17或B18，视情况而定)的漂移进行直接测量，以：1.从观测上限制将改进冰山漂移模型的参数，例如，通过确定适用于大气和海洋相互作用的阻力系数，包括海冰引起的阻力；2.提高我们预测崩解事件和随后冰山漂移轨迹的能力；3.补充正在进行的对冰山及其行为的遥感研究4.衡量一下BERG(S)在后勤敏感领域的进展。最后一点反映了这样一个事实，即人们对B15的S(S)明年的兴趣并不局限于基础科学领域。可以想象，B15和它的后代(它现在分成两部分，导致较小的护堤从罗斯冰架上剥离)给往返美国在南极洲的主要研究和物流站的正常运输带来了复杂的问题。虽然这项提议代表了几个机构的几名研究人员的广泛科学利益，但它的重点是狭隘的。要求为组装和部署仪器提供支助，以观察天气情况和B15的漂移。

0089902MacAyealThe recent calving of a large iceberg (B15) from the Ross Ice Shelf presents a unique opportunity to measure the processes which control the drift of large tabular icebergs including, wind-driven and thermohaline currents, tides, sea ice, and winds. The calving of such an extraordinarily large iceberg within the logistics reach of the US Antarctic Program, is rare. Thus the calving of B15 offers an exciting opportunity to study iceberg drift, and all of the other aspects of iceberg behavior which are associated with the long-term stability of the Antarctic environment.The extraordinary freshwater volume of large tabular icebergs has in the past been identified as a natural resource of human economic value (e.g., for water poor regions of the earth). Feasibility studies of iceberg towing to water-poor regions have largely been poo-pooed as science fiction. Nevertheless, tabular icebergs commonly travel thousands of miles as a result of natural processes which, if understood, could perhaps be harnessed for human economic and social value. We propose to make direct measurements of the drift of icebergs B15a, B15b and asmaller iceberg (either B16, B17 or B18, depending on circumstances) to:1. observationally constrain parameters that will improve the models of iceberg drift, e.g., by determining drag coefficients appropriate to atmospheric and oceanic interactions, including drag induced by sea ice,2. improve our ability to predict calving events and the subsequent iceberg drift trajectory,3. compliment ongoing remote sensing study of the iceberg and its behavior4. measure the progress of the berg(s) toward logistically sensitive areas.The last point reflects the fact that interest in B15's drift over the next year(s) is not restricted to the realm of basic science. It is conceivable that B15 and its progeny (it is now in two pieces and has caused smaller bergs to calve from the Ross Ice Shelf) poses a complication to normal shipping to and from the US's main research and logistics station in Antarctica. While this proposal represents the broad scientific interests of several investigators at several institutions, its focus is narrow. Support is requested for assembly and deployment of instruments to observe the weather conditions and the drift of B15.