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Belgian researchers - Cryosphere

Tison Jean-Louis
Professor, Dr

I have developed my expertise in glaciological studies of high-altitude temperate and Polar regions as a member of the Glaciology Laboratory of the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department of the Université Libre de Bruxelles since 1977. For more than 40 years now, this laboratory has focused his activities on the study of physico-chemical properties of «interface ice», be it the «ice-bedrock», «ice-ocean» or «ice-atmospher» interface. My expertise is based on numerous “ice-oriented” field expeditions (16 in the Alps, 10 in Antarctica and 4 in the Arctic regions ) and on the development of equipments and analytical techniques dedicated to the multi-parametric study of ice rich in solid or liquid impurities : textures and fabrics, stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen, total gas content and gas composition, bulk salinity, major elements chemistry…The main objective of this research effort is a better understanding of initial and boundary conditions of large ice masses (continental or marine), together with a comprehensive approach of the processes governing their interactions with the climate, more specially in the framework of the potential impact of mankind on future climate at a global scale.

Education

Agrégé en Sciences, June 26th 2002, ULB
PhD in Sciences: June 23rd 1981, ULB
Agrégé de l’Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur, 1976, ULB
Licencié en Sciences, 1976, ULB

Research and academic career

  • From Oct. 2002 Professor at the Université Libre de Bruxelles
    (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences)
  • Jan. 1989 - Sep. 2002 Research Associate at the Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique
  • Oct. 1988 - Dec. 1988 Postdoctoral Researcher at the Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique
  • Sep. 1985 - Sep. 1988 Postdoctoral Researcher at the Université Libre de Bruxelles
    (Federal Office for Scientific, Technical and Cultural Affairs - Belgium)
  • Sep. 1981 - Aug. 1985 Teacher at Decroly’s School (Brussels - Belgium)
  • Oct. 1977 - Aug. 1980 Research Fellow at the Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique
  • www.ulb.ac.be/rech/inventaire/chercheurs/1/CH2321.html

Activities

  • Research programme: -
  • Research group: Glaciology lab-ULB
  • Research projects:
    www.ulb.ac.be/rech/inventaire/chercheurs/1/CH2321.html
    Contribution to national and international research projects:
    • 2002-2007 SIBCLIM (Sea Ice Biogeochemistry in a CLIMate change perspective)
    • 2001-2005 AMICS (Antarctic ice sheet dynamics and climate change: Modelling and Ice Composition Studies)
    • 2001 Interice III Project (HSVA, Hamburg): study of sea ice growth processes and properties in experimental ship basin: relationship with biological processes
    • 1995-2002: EPICA (European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica) “isotopes measured on ice: access to climatic and environmental information”
    • 1997-2002: PNRA (Progetto Nazionale di Ricerce in Antartide): study of marine ice and landfast sea ice in the Terra Nova Bay area, Antarctica (phase 2)
    • 1999-2002: ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND: study of landfast sea ice in McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, Antarctica
    • 1995-2002: Joint research project . University of Otago (Geography) . Universite Libre de Bruxelles (Earth Sciences) Processes acting under cold.basal glaciers in the Dry Valleys, Antarctica.
    • 1998-1999: USAP (United States Antarctic Research Program): study of winter and summer pack ice in the Ross Sea District, Antarctica
    • 1996-2001: North GRIP Ice Coring Project (Denmark, Germany, France, Japan).partly funded by F.N.R.S.
    • 1998-1999: Interice II Project: study of sea ice growth processes and properties in experimental ship basin
    • 1996-2000: Les glaces basales d’Antarctique oriental (EPICA)
    • 1997-1999: Study of the basal ice facies of temperate glaciers
    • 1992-1997: PNRA: study of marine ice and landfast sea ice in the Terra Nova Bay area
    • 1994-1996: “Reactive carbonate in basal ice”: project with the University of Birmingham
    • 1989-1992: GRIP (Greenland Ice core Project) Study of the basal part of the ice core
  • Related activities:
    • participation at PolePosition contest: French

Related activities

Field experience

  • Arctic Regions
    • 2001: North GRIP site, central Greenland - European program lead by Denmark (NBI)
    • 1992: Kangerlussaq, western Greenland - Basal ice of the western margin of the Greenland ice sheet - team leader of a Belgian field party of 5 people
    • 1987: Russell and Quigssertag Glaciers, western Greenland - Basal ice of the western margin of the Greenland ice sheet - collaboration with Geological Survey of Canada
    • 1979: Bylot Island, canadian Arctic - Basal ice co-isotopic studies - collaboration with University of Edimburgh
  • Antarctic Regions
    • 2003: Dumont Durville - Casey, Aurora Australis V1 cruise - Biogeochemistry of Antarctic pack ice within the (114°E-119°E) sector - leader of a 5 people Belgian team - collaboration with AAD (Australia)
    • 2003: Scott Base - Sea ice biogeochemical studies in McMurdo Sound (Part III) - collaboration with ANZ/IRL (New Zealand)
    • 2001: Scott Base - Sea ice biogeochemical studies in McMurdo Sound (Part II) - collaboration with ANZ/IRL (New Zealand)
    • 1999: Scott Base - Sea ice biogeochemical studies in McMurdo Sound (Part I) - collaboration with ANZ/IRL (New Zealand)
    • 1998-1999: Nathaniel B. Palmer - NBP 98/3 Summer sea ice cruise - Pack ice biogeochemical studies - collaboration with USARP (USA)
    • 1998: Nathaniel B. Palmer - NBP 98/3 Winter sea ice cruise - Pack ice biogeochemical studies - collaboration with USARP (USA)
    • 1995-1996: Hells Gate and Nansen Ice Shelves - Marine ice and Ice-Ocean interactions studies - collaboration with PNRA-XIth Antarctic Italian Expedition (Italy)
    • 1993-1994: Hells Gate and Nansen Ice Shelves - Marine ice and Ice-Ocean interactions studies - collaboration with PNRA-IXth Antarctic Italian Expedition (Italy)
    • 1989-1990: Base de Dumont d’Urville - Basal ice and moraine studies at Moraine Preudhomme - collaboration with EPF (France)
    • 1987-1988: George VI Ice Shelf (Peninsula) - Sea ice and Marine ice studies - collaboration with BAS (UK)
      Alpine Regions (16)
    • 1999: Glacier de Tsanfleuron, Switzerland - Testing Antarctic sampling equipment
    • 1997: Glacier de Tsanfleuron, Switzerland - Basal Clear Ice Layer study (Part II) - collaboration with University of Aberystwyth, Wales, UK
    • 1996: Glacier de Tsanfleuron, Switzerland - Basal Clear Ice Layer study (Part I) - collaboration with University of Aberystwyth, Wales, UK
    • 1993: Haut Glacier d’Arolla, Switzerland - Subglacial Hydrology and Basal Ice studies (part II) - collaboration with University of Cambridge, UK
    • 1993: Glacier de Tsanfleuron, Switzerland - Basal Clear Ice Layer and glacial hydrology study - collaboration with University of Aberystwyth, Wales, UK
    • 1991: Titliss Rock Glacier, Switzerland - Basal Ice from rock glaciers - collaboration with ETH Zurich
    • 1990: Haut Glacier d’Arolla, Switzerland - Subglacial Hydrology and Basal Ice studies (part I) - collaboration with University of Cambridge, UK
    • 1989: Glacier de Tsanfleuron, Switzerland - Subglacial Hydrology and carbonate precipitates - collaboration with University of Cambridge, UK
    • 1987: Titliss Rock Glacier, Tsijiore Nouve Glacier, Tsanfleuron Glacier, Switzerland - Basal Ice from alpine glaciers
    • 1986: Titliss Rock Glacier, Tsijiore Nouve Glacier, Tsanfleuron Glacier, Switzerland - Basal Ice from alpine glaciers
    • 1981: Grüben Glacier, Switzerland - Basal Ice from alpine rock glaciers
    • 1980: Tsijiore Nouve Glacier, Grüben Glacier, Switzerland - Basal Ice from alpine glaciers
    • 1979: Tsijiore Nouve Glacier, Switzerland - Basal Ice from alpine glaciers
    • 1979: Tsijiore Nouve Glacier, Grüben Glacier, Switzerland - Basal Ice from alpine glaciers
    • 1978: Tsijiore Nouve Glacier, Ferpècle et Mont-Miné Glacier, Switzerland - Basal Ice from alpine glaciers
    • 1977: Tsijiore Nouve Glacier, Switzerland - Basal Ice from alpine glaciers

Referee for international polar research funding agencies

National Environmental Research Council (NERC - UK), National Science Foundation (NSF - USA), Expéditions Polaires Françaises (EPF – France)

Science steering commitees

ASPeCt (Antarctic Sea ice Processes and Climate - member of SCAR), GRIP (Greenland Ice Core Project), EPICA (European project for Ice Coring in Antarctica), EPB (European Polar Board)

List of publications

Contact

Tison Jean-Louis
Glaciology Lab
Campus du Solbosch
ULB CP160/03
avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50 - 1050 Bruxelles
jtison@ulb.ac.be
Phone: +32 2 650 22 25 - Fax 02 650 22 26

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