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In 2000, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) decided to delimit the waters within the Antarctic Convergence as a fifth ocean - the Southern Ocean - by combining the southern portions of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. The Southern Ocean extends from the coast of Antarctica north to 60° south latitude, which coincides with the Antarctic Treaty Limit and which approximates the extent of the Antarctic Convergence. The Southern Ocean, including the Amundsen Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, part of the Drake Passage, Ross Sea, the Scotia Sea, and Weddell Sea, completely surrounds the land mass of Antarctica.
The need of a Southern Ocean can be derived from scientific research in the past and present. Environmental impacts from sea level changes, ocean circulation, and global change together with geological processes of the Antarctic plate are important themes in this resarch. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current that moves east is one of the main drivers of ocean systems and separates Antarctica as an ecosystem. Beside scientific research, safe navigation by use of improved bathymetry maps is another argument for the implementation of IBCSO.
The sea floor topography of the Southern Ocean is still largely unknown. The survey activities of modern icebreaking vessels during the last decade using multibeam and other systems have increased the data availability, making it possible for compilations of new bathymetric charts around Antarctica. The objective of the IBCSO is the design and implementation of an enhanced digital database that contains all bathymetric data available south to 50° south latitude. Based on this data a bathymetry map of the Southern Ocean will be produced.
The IBCSO is well established within international organizations like the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). The following organizations set up the IBCSO into an official frame:
The Consultative Group on Ocean Mapping (CGOM) contributes to Ocean Mapping activities in global and regional scale. Ocean Mapping projects sponsored by the IOC are, amongst others, the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO), and the International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean (IBCAO). The IBCSO Chart series is defined by the IOC/IHO Index of Bathymetric Plotting Sheets (IBC Index).
Special attention to IBCSO is given by the IHO Hydrographic Committee on Antarctica (HCA), where data exchange between national hydrographic offices and scientific institutions is realized. This committee is responsible for hydrographic surveying and nautical charting matters in Antarctic Treaty area. The HCA coordinates and facilitates provision of accurate and appropriate charts and other aids to navigation.
SCAR, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, is an interdisciplinary committee of the International Council of Science (ICSU). SCAR is charged with the initiating, developing and coordinating international scientific research in the Antarctic region. The business is conducted by its Standing Scientific Groups which represent the scientific disciplines active in Antarctic research.
Dr. Hans Werner Schenke
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Dr. Norbert Ott
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URL: http://www.ibcso.org
maintained by: Norbert Ott
hosted by: AWI Bremerhaven, Germany
