Working Group "Stable Isotopes and Geochemistry in Permafrost"
The working group "Isotopes and Geochemistry of Permafrost" was established at the International Permafrost Association (IPA) Council meeting in Zurich, July 2003. The working group continues the work of the former task force "Isotope/Geochemistry of Permafrost". The objectives of the working group "Isotopes and Geochemistry of Permafrost" are to (1) promote application of isotope and geochemical methods in permafrost research, (2) identify the major gaps in knowledge for successful application of isotopic and geochemical methods in permafrost studies, (3) identify and bring together persons and groups working actively in this kind of research, (4) facilitate communication with other individuals and programs involved in isotope and geochemical investigations in polar regions, and (5) promote archiving and dissemination of data sets. The working group is chaired by Ron Sletten, University of Washington, Seattle, USA (for Geochemistry), and by Hanno Meyer, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam, Germany (for Isotopes).
The working group "Isotopes and Geochemistry of Permafrost" consists of persons interested or active in Isotope Geochemistry and Geochemistry in permafrost regions. People of seven nations including the U.S., Canada, Russia, and Europe demonstrated interest, responded to the questionnaire on Isotopes and Geochemistry of Permafrost or took part in the isotope task force meeting in Zurich in July 2003. These associates or "members" are now connected in a master email list (isochem-wg@awi-potsdam.de), which is intended for discussion, exchange of information, getting contacts, and asking questions related to polar isotope and geochemical research.
Chair people
Ron Sletten, University of Washington, Seattle, USA (for Geochemistry)
Hanno Meyer, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam, Germany (for Isotopes).
Current number of members: 31
Master E-Mail List: isochem-wg@awi-potsdam.de
A questionnaire on isotope/geochemistry of permafrost was developed in order to obtain information on scientists interested and active in Circum-Arctic and Circum-Antarctic isotope and geochemistry studies in permafrost. Based on the results and responses to this questionnaire a formal application for a new working group on Isotope/geochemistry of Permafrost was prepared for the IPA Council meeting in Zurich. Since this application was accepted by the members of the IPA council, the new working group was established for a 5-year period from 2003 to 2008. The working group is open to any person and team active or interested in isotopic and geochemical studies of the permafrost regions.
The questionnaire on isotope/geochemistry of permafrost is available online (Questionnaire online form) or via email upon request from Hanno Meyer. All persons filling out the questionnaire or sending an email of interest will be included in the email list (isochem-wg(at)awi-potsdam.de), where information on current activities of the working group will be regularly distributed. This email list is also intended to provide a forum for discussion between its members, facilitate information exchange, make contacts and ask questions related to permafrost isotope and geochemical research.
A first attempt to summarize main questions in Isotope/Geochemistry research of Permafrost regions can be found clicking here. The working group "Isotopes and Geochemistry of Permafrost" understands itself as open to all interested persons and will evolve with the dynamics of its members. Therefore, discussion on the proposed current issues to be resolved in the periglacial areas as well as new ideas related to isotope and geochemical research is strongly encouraged.
A summary of the latest working group meeting held in 26 July 2004 during the SCAR conference in Bremen, Germany, can be found clicking here.