In summer 2001 the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat carried out an icebreaker expedition to the High Arctic. For the third time the Secretariat collaborated with the Swedish Maritime Administration and the icebreaker Oden, which functioned as the research platform. The expedition, which main focus was atmosphere research and biogeochemistry, lasted for two months and approximately 50 researchers participated.
Research projects
Radiation balance and climate
The expedition’s atmosphere programme was a continuation and development of successful research carried out on previous Swedish icebreaker expeditions in the Arctic during the 1990’s. The overall objective is to increase knowledge of the impact of aerosols on climate.
Research leader: Caroline Leck, Stockholm University
Biogeochemical cycles in the Arctic Ocean
The biogeochemical expedition’s programme included a series of projects whose ultimate focus was on the global climate and the bafflingly high levels of environmental pollutants found in the Arctic.
Research leader: Örjan Gustafsson, Stockholm University
Circulation of warm Atlantic water in the Arctic
By means of what is known as deepwater formation, the Polar regions play a key role in the large-scale global circulation system commonly known as ”The Conveyor Belt” which is of crucial importance for the Earth’s climate.
Research leader: Göran Björk, University of Gothenburg
Remote sensing of albedo and ice coverage
Several studies indicate that the marine Arctic ice-cap is shrinking. Sea ice functions as an indicator of climate change and at the same time exerts a very considerable impact itself on the climate system.
Research leader: Bertil Håkansson, SMHI
Acquisition of seismic reflection data
The long-term evolution of climate in the central Arctic is virtually unknown. A major reason being that long sediment cores does not exist from this region.
Research leader: Ynge Kristoffersen, University of Bergen, Norway
Schedule
June–August 2001