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National Science Foundation Award #0085039

Collaborative Research:Development of an In Situ Fossil Air Melt Extraction Device (INFAMED) for Recovering Large Volumes of Air and Particles from Polar Ice Sheets

 
Investigator(s): Edward Brook (PI)
Sponsor: Washington State University, WA 99164 5093359661
Start Date/Expiration Date 2001-01-01 to 2003-12-31 (amended 2000-11-03)
Awarded Amount to Date: $66,058
Abstract: This award supports the development of a prototype in-situ fossil air melt extraction device (INFAMED) for recovering large volumes of air and particles from polar ice sheets. Although this device would have a number of applications, the primary initial scientific objective would be to measure radiocarbon in atmospheric methane trapped in the ice at depth. This measurement would provide a definitive test of the hypothesis that decomposition of sedimentary methane clathrates caused the abrupt atmospheric methane concentration increases at the end of the last glacial period. In addition to studies of gases extracted from the ice sheet, such an instrument would allow large volumes of ice to be sampled and filtered for the collection of both terrestrial and extraterrestrial particles. The first phase of technology development involves a pilot project to explore feasibility at low cost, and will recover preindustrial air from depth in the Greenland ice sheet. If the technology is successful, a second proposal will be submitted to construct a full-sized device, designed to reach 1000 m depth and sample 15,000 year old air at the South Pole.
NSF Org: OPP - Office of Polar Programs
Award Number: 0085039
Award Instrument: Standard Grant
Program Manager: Julie Palais
OPP Office of Polar Programs
OPP Office of Polar Programs
NSF Program(s): POLAR INSTRUMENT & DEVELOPMENT
Field Application(s):
Program Reference Code(s): ARCTIC RESEARCH, 1079
UNASSIGNED, 0000
Program Element Code(s): 1647