– Dramatic things have happened in ten years. It is cause for concern, says sea ice researcher at the Norwegian Polar Institute, Mats Granskog. The last time he was at the North Pole, he landed by plane. Today that is not possible, because the ice is not solid enough. Granskog is one of 27 researchers and technicians who are with the research ship on its first trip to the North Pole. The ship reached the North Pole at 15.30. Scientific tour leader Paul Dodd, at almost 90 degrees. Photo: Trine Lise Sviggum Helgerud / Norwegian Polar Institute It was several days earlier than expected. – We know that the Arctic Ocean is changing, but we did not expect the changes to be so extensive, says expedition leader and director of the Polar Institute, Ole Arve Misund. The ship set course for the North Pole from Tromsø on 19 July. According to Misund, they had expected to use longer time and more engine power to reach the North Pole. – We were prepared for much more ice-breaking. But for long periods we have had open parties all the way through, he says. – It really surprises us. Cruise leader and director of the Polar Institute, Ole Arve Misund, was surprised at how little ice there is in the Arctic Ocean. The picture was taken on the same day they arrived at the North Pole. Photo: TRINE LISE SVIGGUM HELGERUD / NORWEGIAN POLAR INSTITUTE – Need for more knowledge The expedition is part of the Polar Expedition 2022 under the auspices of the Norwegian Polar Institute and UiT Norway’s Arctic University. At the North Pole and in the surrounding area, they will carry out extensive environmental sampling. – The voyage is important for filling knowledge gaps and for future management of the Arctic Ocean, says Misund. He believes it is important that Norway is present in the Arctic Ocean and monitors climate developments. – With decreasing ice cover, large parts of the Arctic Ocean will become accessible all year round, and the pole may in a few years become ice-free in the autumn. In the long term, we will see increased activity around the North Pole, new transport routes, increased tourism and perhaps also fishing activity further north, says Misund. Research leader Paul Dodd believes it is important to collect more knowledge from the area, to prepare us for the transition from a white and ice-covered polar sea to a blue and open sea. – There is a need for knowledge about how ocean currents, carbon cycles and fish migrations are affected in an ocean that will only be completely covered by ice in the winter, and no longer all year round, he says. Sea ice researchers Mats Granskog and Dimitry Divine are keenly aware of how much ice there is in the area. Photo: TRINE LISE SVIGGUM HELGERUD / NORWEGIAN POLAR INSTITUTE Concerned about little ice The sea ice researchers have systematically observed the sea ice cover from the boat. They register that there is still ice, but not the same type of ice as before. The ice is much thinner than before, and most of the ice is first-year ice. Mats Granskog is concerned about how little ice there is at the North Pole. Photo: Trine Lise Sviggum Helgerud / Norwegian Polar Institute – This means that the ice is young and new. It grew the winter that was and has not survived a summer yet. This is a trend we have seen in recent years, Granskog. He is worried about the consequences it could have. – There are a number of animal species that depend on ice, which will now find it more difficult. This is what the sea ice cover looked like two hours before the ship arrived at the North Pole. Photo: TRINE LISE SVIGGUM HELGERUD / NORWEGIAN POLAR INSTITUTE Patrol leader Misund is also concerned about the low amount of ice, and sees it as clear evidence of global warming. – It is disturbing that there is so little ice. But little ice also provides an unexpected opportunity at the North Pole. – We’re actually going to do some fishing here. There are no problems with finding openings, he says.
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Little ice worries the researchers – news Troms and Finnmark
