pdf SCAR XXXI WP09: Report of the SCAR Standing Scientific Group on Physical Sciences (SSG-PS)

SCAR XXXI WP09: Report of the SCAR Standing Scientific Group on Physical Sciences (SSG-PS)

Executive Summary

Title: SCAR Standing Scientific Group on Physical Sciences (SSG-PS), Report to the Delegates, SCAR XXXI Aug. 9th, 2010

Authors:  M. Candidi, D. Bromwich, T. van Ommen

Relevant URLs or references to other reports:

Introduction/ Background:

No comments were raised at the SSG/PS business meeting on the content of the Strategic Plan. SSG/PS was invited to send comments to SCAR. No major change to the structure of the SSGs was deemed necessary. The structure and cadence of the OSC were addressed; no consensus was reached on possible improvements.

The achievements of the current SRPs were noted; appreciation was expressed for the developments; AGCS is looking at future updates of the ACCE report; ICESTAR is coming to a termination as an SRP, after achieving the major objectives, especially with respect to the establishment of several VOs. The AAA program raises wide expectation for the results to be achieved. Some ideas for future SRPs were proposed to SSG/PS: ATHENA, to proceed on sub-glacial lakes, after SALE; ocean acidification; GPS studies of the ionosphere; ISMASS.

Important Issues or Factors:

The present roster of Expert/Action groups was analysed:

• The importance of the ISMASS program was underlined; its leadership shall be extended to C. Hulbe and Francisco.... to ensure connection with IASC so that ISMASS develops into a fully bipolar group with the IASC Working Group on Glaciology.
• Bellerby presented the Ocean Acidification theme; the formation of a new Action group on the subject, joint with LS, was approved. The new group may consider developing into an SRP, as suggested by the cross-SSG meetings.
• SSG/PS approves the idea that the ECA action group should develop into a joint group with LS, to include biological aspects of Antarctic contamination.
• PCPBEA: SSG/PS notes the positive developments and encourages further action.
• IPICS plans extention of the scope of the Greenland NEEM project to encompass the last interglacial period in ice cores from both hemispheres. The potential for a new high-resolution Antarctic record at comparable resolution with the NEEM core over a similar period is being considered.
• The WSWF Action group is finding synergies with the GIANT and POLENET groups of GS; ICESTAR is considering ways to interact with WSWF, generating joint scientific objectives. This is again an effect of the cross-SSG meetings initiative.
• The SOOS program of the EG Oceanography produced its implementation plan.
• The Operational Meteorology group reports that since Sept. 2009 there are two radio-sonde launches per week from Marambio; this is in part a product of the recommedations on King George Island activities.
• PACT developed the database relevant to their new definition of the chemical tropopause; the action group will be dissolved after the publication of their results.

Budget Implications: Estimated SCAR funding needed by SSG/PS for the next 2 years (in USD) $ 21.700 in 2011 and $ 21.700 in 2012. (Pending approval of the finance committee)