WASHINGTON — A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine outlines the importance of access to the Southern Ocean and Antarctic coast for research on critical aspects of global ocean and climate systems, especially related to climate change. Aging infrastructure available to U.S. researchers should be replaced and include a new icebreaking research vessel and other equipment that can support continued and expanded U.S. research and technological interests, says the new report. 

A robust U.S. research presence in these regions, which are some of the harshest and most remote places on Earth, is essential for national security and economic interests, the report says. It identifies three thematic scientific drivers — global sea-level rise, the global carbon cycle, and changing ecosystems — and related high-priority research questions as justification for renewed investment in vital infrastructure and programs in the near term, especially construction of a Polar Class 3 Antarctica Research Vessel (ARV). 

“These areas of scientific research may be physically far away from the U.S., but the effects of climate change on these areas and their resources are felt close to home,” said Paula Bontempi, dean of the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island, and co-chair of the committee that wrote the report. “The U.S. is a leader in Antarctic and Southern Ocean research, and we must make a continued commitment to understanding these large systems that have national and global impacts.”  

The urgency of this research is increasing, as Antarctica’s ice sheets may be approaching a dangerous tipping point toward a prolonged period of ice loss driven by climate change. Antarctica’s 58 meters of sea-level rise potential will have global-scale impacts, yet uncertainty remains about rates and extent of ice mass loss and the long-term trajectory of sea-level rise. The Southern Ocean is also where most deep waters rise to exchange carbon with the atmosphere, and is responsible for about 40% to 50% of the net removal of fossil fuel derived CO2 emissions. Thus, there is a need for scientists to better understand how its carbon reservoir may change. The ecosystems in this region are also uniquely adapted to extreme environments and perform important functions that regulate the exchange of energy, nutrients, and carbon throughout the area’s food webs. Considerable uncertainty remains about how ecosystems are responding to a changing climate and may impact important natural systems that directly or indirectly benefit humans and global economics.  

The National Science Foundation’s Office of Polar Programs (OPP) is charged with supporting Antarctic science and logistical operations. However, the aging science infrastructure that serves the region will not be able to support the research necessary to advance U.S. interests. Without major and immediate investments, including urgent investment in a new ARV, the U.S. will fall behind other nations in research that is essential to national security, the report says.  

“The U.S. is already behind schedule in updating our scientific infrastructure in the region, especially for aging research vessels,” said committee co-chair Alan Mix, distinguished professor of earth, ocean, and atmospheric sciences at Oregon State University. “While the committee applauds the tentative commitment of the U.S. government and NSF toward an ARV, NSF must urgently move forward with next steps to make a new vessel and other needed infrastructure a reality.”

Recommendations for Office of Polar Programs

The near-term prioritization of the design and construction of a Polar Class 3 ARV is essential for supporting U.S. interests and research, the report says. Specifically, winter access to nearshore regions afforded by the new ARV will support innovative new research that will advance U.S. preparedness and resilience to global events, including sea-level rise and other aspects of climate change.   

The report recommends that NSF should:  

• provide access to remote, heavily crevassed regions; innovative solutions may include international partner agreements; commercial leasing options; a cost-effective way to support two light helicopters on the ARV without delaying progress in its design; combined fixed wing and helicopter modes of operation; or some combination of these options.  

• in consultation with the research community, consider investing in the lease or purchase of a small (less than 100 meters) coastal vessel that could operate independently of icebreakers or other larger vessels for research in the relatively ice-free shallow waters of the Antarctic Peninsula region. Doing so will avoid having to deploy the costly larger vessel in situations where a smaller vessel will suffice.

• support the development of new and innovative systems for observation — such as fiber optic cables, autonomous underwater vehicles, drones, and other potential platforms — for sustained data collection even in the absence of icebreaker support.

• strengthen existing and identify new strategic opportunities for lead agency agreements with countries that can help support the essential science priorities identified in this report. This is particularly important for nations with year-round stations and vessel capabilities that are complementary to those of the United States.

• continue to incorporate research community input in major infrastructure development, and regularly convene open science workshops to identify cost-effective, directed, and interdisciplinary field programs.

• implement approaches to foster equity and promote development of a robust and diverse workforce.

• explore the creation and expansion of shared instrument and equipment pools to support cost-effective and equitable access.

• convene a workshop to consider needed upgrades to the aquarium and other laboratory facilities at the Palmer and McMurdo Stations.  

This study was undertaken by the Committee on Future Directions for Southern Ocean and Antarctic Nearshore and Coastal Research and sponsored by the National Science Foundation.  

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, engineering, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln. 

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