| NSF Org: |
OPP Office of Polar Programs (OPP) |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | April 10, 2008 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | April 4, 2011 |
| Award Number: | 0739480 |
| Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Alexandra Isern
OPP Office of Polar Programs (OPP) GEO Directorate for Geosciences |
| Start Date: | April 15, 2008 |
| End Date: | September 30, 2012 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $558,809.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $574,841.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2009 = $151,622.00 FY 2010 = $144,758.00 FY 2011 = $149,465.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
1960 KENNY RD Columbus OH US 43210-1016 (614)688-8734 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
1960 KENNY RD COLUMBUS OH US 43210-1016 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | ANT Earth Sciences |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.078 |
ABSTRACT
Abstract
This award supports the United States Polar Rock Repository (USPRR). The repository houses a research collection of geologic samples from Antarctica and the Arctic, along with associated materials such as field notes, photographs, maps, analytical data, paleomagnetic cores, thin sections, and microfossil mounts. It provides open access to these samples for researchers and collects legacy collections from institutions across the US. The USPRR integrates geologic and geophysical data from cataloged samples where possible, and maintains online sample, map, and rock physical property databases accessible via the world-wide-web. The broader impacts of the facility include new research infrastructure, improving planning for polar research, and providing information for educators and children to learn about polar geology via the website and facility tours.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
The Polar Rock Repository provides a venue for the stewardship of polar rock sample collections and metadata. The metadata associated with these samples, along with a rock magnetic database, are available to the community via the internet at: http://www-bprc.mps.ohio-state.edu/EMuwebusprr. The online database provides detailed information about rock samples, rock physical properties and field map locations. The rock samples are made available as loans to researchers, educators and museums via the website.
Outcomes of the Project:
- The PRR website has been modified dramatically during the past 4 years. Additional search functionality was added that allows searches based on weight, susceptibility and key geological terms. A mapping feature was also added whereby users can search for samples based on location. Aspects of the PRR website were redesigned to create a cleaner and easier user interface.
- In the past 4 years, 10,364 rock samples and associated metadata were cataloged, averaging ~2600 samples/yr. The PRR had 25,255 samples online and available as loans at the end of this project.
- The number of samples loaned has increased significantly with each year. The total number of rock samples loaned between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2012 was 7249. The samples were loaned to 249 researchers, schools, and museums.
- 3 undergraduate and 1 graduate student learned new data management and digital imaging skills at the repository
Intellectual Merit:
The intellectual merit of this project was in the global dissemination of polar earth science information to researchers around the world. The PRR is one of the few lending rock repositories that allow destructive research techniques to be used on the rock samples. Researchers from any country may request samples for analysis using the online request form. Samples were loaned not only to researchers in the United States but also to researchers in England, France, Germany and Italy. Easy online access to the metadata and samples allows logistical planning for field work. Such planning helps with the safety of field operations and makes the most efficient use of time in areas where the weather is often marginal.
Broader Impacts:
The broader impacts of the PRR included lessening the environmental impact of doing field work in Polar Regions by encouraging researchers to examine samples in the PRR collection first. The PRR fulfilled Antarctic Treaty data management requirements by providing access to samples and metadata for all polar researchers. The PRR online database included information useful to glacial geologists, environmental geologists and biologists by noting locations with biological activity and glacial surface features. During this grant, the PRR continued with extensive educational and community outreach efforts through school visits, tours, community events and rock box loans. The 'Antarctic Rock Box' contains representative polar rocks from the three main rock types, books and activities about geology and Antarctica designed for elementary school teachers. Over the course of 4 years, outreach activities reached 12,026 people with most of these being elementary schools (4936 students) and middle schools (1905 students) using the Antarctic Rock Box. Working at the repository provided college students with an opportunity to learn about the geology of Antarctica as well as doing research, learning new skills in digital imaging, curation and database management.
Last Modified: 10/01/2012
Modified by: Anne M Grunow
