RII Track 4: Expanding Research Capacity across Arctic Systems: Expertise Development in Coupled Ice Sheet - Groundwater Processes

冰原与它们赖以生存的地面紧密相连。在冰原底部的液态水可以与地下水系统交换。因此，冰盖底部是否冻结或融化是冰与地下水联系的重要控制因素，但这取决于水和热量在冰与地球系统之间传递的复杂方式。在这个项目中，拥有冰川科学专业知识的PI将与新墨西哥矿业和技术研究所的地下水专家密切合作，分享特定学科的知识，以克服了解冰盖和地下水系统之间联系的挑战。PI将进行连接冰盖和地下水系统的计算机建模，以确定地下水流动如何影响冰盖底部冻结或融化的位置。冰川或冰盖在其底部冻结或融化的位置控制着它可以向哪里滑动，也决定了水可以在哪里补给地下水系统。因此，该项目的成果与寒冷地区的冰盖动力学和地下水流动有关。该项目将增加蒙大拿大学的研究能力和学生机会，并为蒙大拿高中的客座讲座将使当地司法管辖区受益。北极的水循环与全球水文循环截然不同，因为存在大量的冰块，这些冰块是地下水的来源，通常将地下水输送到邻近的陆地和海洋系统。然而，将冰盖和地下水系统之间的耦合过程联系起来需要合并一系列科学分支学科的知识库和技能。该项目的目标是通过在冰原过程和地下水系统方面的专家之间进行密切合作、分享专门知识和教育交流来克服具体学科的障碍。项目研究的重点是关于冰盖底部融化情况的内陆范围的质量和能量反馈：这是一个与冰川学和水文地质学学科高度相关的关键问题。这个问题将通过对耦合冰盖和地下水系统的新颖建模来解决：PI将是由宿主合作者开发的建模软件包的早期采采者，并在系统之间产生新的热耦合。该项目的成果将促进对冰盖和地下水系统的热通量和水通量的理解：北极影响海平面上升的两个关键组成部分、全球范围的地下水资源和新鲜地下水的海底通量。这些活动将为蒙大拿大学的学生创造新的学习机会，增加该机构的研究能力，并通过向蒙大拿高中的外展讲座产生司法效益。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Ice sheets are tightly connected to the underlying earth upon which they rest. Where liquid water resides at the bottom of an ice sheet, it can exchange with the groundwater system. Whether the bottom of an ice sheet is frozen or melted is therefore an important control on the connection between ice and groundwater but depends on the complex ways in which water and heat pass between ice and earth systems. In this project the PI, with expertise in glacier science, will work closely with groundwater experts at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, sharing discipline-specific knowledge to overcome challenges to understanding connections between ice sheets and groundwater systems. The PI will carry out computer modeling that connects both ice sheet and groundwater systems to determine how groundwater flow influences where the bottom of the ice sheet is frozen or melted. Where a glacier or ice sheet is frozen or melted at its base controls where it can slide, and also determines where water can recharge the groundwater system. Outcomes from the project are therefore relevant to both ice sheet dynamics and groundwater flow in cold regions. The project will increase research capacity and student opportunities at University of Montana, and guest lectures to Montana high schools will benefit the local jurisdiction.Water cycling in the Arctic is distinctly unique from the global hydrologic cycle due to the presence of large ice masses that source and generally drive groundwater to adjacent terrestrial and ocean systems. Linking coupling processes between ice sheet and groundwater systems, however, requires merging the knowledgebase and skillsets of a spectrum of scientific sub-disciplines. The objective of this project is to overcome discipline-specific barriers by enabling close collaboration, sharing of expertise, and educational exchange between experts in ice sheet processes and groundwater systems. Project research is focused on mass and energy feedbacks on the inland extent of melted conditions at the bottom of an ice sheet: a key problem that is highly relevant to both glaciology and hydrogeology disciplines. The problem will be addressed through novel modeling of coupled ice sheet and groundwater systems: the PI will be an early adopter of modeling packages developed by host collaborators, and generate new thermal coupling between systems. Outcomes of the project will advance understanding of heat and water fluxes across ice sheet and groundwater systems: two critical components of the Arctic that impact sea level rise, groundwater resources at the global scale, and submarine fluxes of fresh groundwater. Activities will generate new learning opportunities for students at the University of Montana, increase the institution’s research capacity, and yield jurisdictional benefits through outreach lectures to Montana high schools.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.