Visit of Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) German Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research to Canada, May 2013

A delegation from Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), German Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Researchincluding Director Karin Lochte visited Canadian laboratories and leadership from 27-31 May 2013 to explore potential research and development (R&D) partnerships in Arctic topics (atmospheric, terrestrial and marine geology, sea ice, permafrost). AWI has many Canadian partners and this mission provided an opportunity to discuss broadframework partnering potential, and provided opportunity to connect with Canadian suppliers of equipment and services for Arctic/polar R&D.

Data, data sharing & application of scientific knowledge to develop predictive models and applications for use are central themes for collaboration. Understandable and useful data are validated via accurate data sets collected during missions, and these data are applied in models for climate change, ice operational forecasts and iceberg monitoring. Permafrost knowledge contributes to improving predictive knowledge for road conditions, infrastructure construction (airport runways), and coastal erosion hazards. The Canadian Ocean Tracking Network and coordination with other networks is recognized as important to establishing baseline measurements and datasets for detection of future changes, as are establishing standards, quality control and protocols in order to enable this sharing. In particular, oil and ice studies require geological understanding of natural seeps compared to industry-based sources. Data management, big data applications and engagement of the community to share data was a prevailing theme in almost all conversations, including the potential for using the AWI Pangaea database for the Cdn Ocean Tracking Network and other big data sets. Understanding biodiversity enables evaluation of impacts on the fishing industry (e.g. lobster & relationship with ocean acidification) and identification of sensitive 'hot spot' areas where shipping/development could be avoided for purposes of conservation. AWI and Cdn stakeholders discussed collaborative development of a pan-Arctic benthic biota database for background assessments.

The AWI delegation participated in active discussion with several Canadian gov’t departments and agencies, particularly on the idea of joint tandem two-ship missions (Polarstern & Louis St-Laurent) benefitting seismic studies or collaborative drilling of sediment cores. Prof. Lochte presented AWI strategic goals and interests to the Arctic S&T ADM Committee. Nick Xenos (AANDC) provided a briefing on AANDC plans for CHARS and the science program. Coastal erosion geology and sediment cores establishing a predictive framework for Baffin Bay were included in topics of discussion. AWI sees benefit in application of Cdn expertise in under-ice AUV technologies thereby enabling a "one visit, many measurements" principle. TIMS (Targeted Integrated Mapping Strategy) provides opportunity for multiple monitoring needs.

Canadian Northern Territories expressedinterest in training and development of the population, and how knowledge could improve the quality of life of residents. Student/grad student exchanges could better take advantage of the northern programs on offer, such as utilizing accommodation, lab space and equipment, while visiting researchers could provide in-kind contributions by assisting with teaching, contributing to the science program and training local people.

The Canada-Germany PhD program between Dalhousie U. and U. Kiel and the Helmholtz-Halifax Marine Research Institute MoU provide platforms for realizing some Canada-AWI projects. The Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) programs offer further opportunity for contributions/sharing/coordination. Examples include the Green Edge project in Baffin Bay investigating spring bloom (2015/16 headed up by U. Laval CERC Marcel Babin) enabling molecular chemical characterization, the work of U. Manitoba CERC Soren Rysgaard in Arctic marine ecosystems and land-ocean linkages also utilizing the Sea-ice Environmental Research Facility (SERF), and Dalhousie U. CERC Douglas Wallace and his work on biogeochemical and ecological changes in the world's oceans. Sharing facilities and coordinating sample processing expedites collaboration in biosciences and could be achieved via summer schools for sea ice biota, ice camps, Polarstern cruises and use of Canadian academic sea ice lab facilities. Moreover, these activities harmonize standard data collection/analysis methods contributing to larger more complete databases. General areas for international cooperation include: International Arctic Ocean Drift Study (Arctic ODS) ecosystem changes due to rapid decline of sea ice, oil in sea ice (OSIM), and int'l projects including other countries such as Denmark, Greenland, and France.

The Canadian Polar Commission (CPC) recommends including the regional communities early in research project planning, e.g. inviting members of the target community to S&T workshops at the stage when the research project planning is in initial discussion. CPC also raised awareness for the Canadian Network of Northern Research Operators CNNRO

The Halifax Marine Research Institute (HMRI) provided opportunity to discuss with Canadian marine/harsh climate research equipment suppliers. In addition to measurement instruments, AUVs are animportant component of Arctic research, presenting opportunity for Cdn companies. AWI researchers are exploring the idea of employing remote sensors to transmit data via satellite.

International cooperation in Arctic and polar research is natural because of the vast, harsh environment and infrastructure requirements. Groups strive to avoid duplication. Germany and Canada share views on participating in upcoming EU Horizon 2020 programs. Germany assumes leadership roles in EU infrastructure for Arctic research and recent activities target raising awareness with funding agencies for topics of highest priority (Galway, Rome CFI Workshop). The International Permafrost Association (IPA) is a forum whereby Canadian and German scientists and engineers have active participation, in addition to PAGE21 (permafrost consortium funded by EC FP7), and the ADAPT early career researcher permafrost project.

Law of the Sea topics are timely as shipping through the Arctic and regional economic development ramps up. The Dalhousie U. Marine & Environmental Law Institute MELAW expressed tentative plans for a workshop to bring science and legal together at early stages of legal framework development.

The AWI mission provided opportunity for detailed discussions with a broad range of Canadian Arctic R&D stakeholders; although it also demonstrated the decentralized nature of Canadian science and the challenge to coordinate Canadian Arctic science activities. ArcticNet plays an important coordinating role in Cdn marine and coastal S&T and researchers expressed concern regarding the gap that will be left when it disbands in 2018. As a research organization with primary interest in fundamental research, AWI has a close mandate with Cdn universities for in-depth research partnership; nevertheless, the equipment and services required to perform the vast number of measurements required in harsh conditions provide opportunity for specialized Cdn industry. Technology development and applications of Cdn Federal R&D departments stand to benefit from data sharing and knowledge-transfer (permafrost probability map; knowledge and understanding of permafrost for long-term durability/stabilization of roads, bridges and airport runways). Data collection protocols and portals to facilitate sharing and dissemination are a central theme for collaboration and an area where Canada and Germany partnering together could establish international leadership and influence. Scientific data enables short-term prediction and long-term forecasting for socio-economic development of the north. Follow-up Workshops in targeted topic areas are envisaged. Creating data portals and data sharing and permafrost expertise are high value to Canada to understand processes and to establish accurate modeling/prediction, as is baseline knowledge of natural oil seep compared to oil leakage as a result of man-made resource development.

Future Activity:

•Discussion of innovation strategies and tools at the Bilateral Canada-Germany S&T Commission Meeting, 28, 29 Nov ‘13

•ARICE European heavy icebreaker coordination

•CFI-led Sept’13 meeting of Canada-USA-EU in Rome

•ArcticNet Scientific meeting Dec'13& various follow-up Workshops

•International Arctic Research Coordination Event at Embassy of Canada, Berlin, Feb’14

DFATD/BRLIN Aug2013