Scientists investigate the Baltic’s influence on the Arctic, focusing on environmental measurements and future hydrodynamic modeling during the AREX 2024 expedition.
Scientists are examining how the Baltic Sea influences the Arctic environment through the AREX expedition by the Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences (IO PAN).
Interdisciplinary Research
Daniel Rak from IO PAN highlighted that the first leg of the AREX 2024 expedition marked the beginning of research into the interactions between the Baltic and Arctic. Comprehensive hydrological and atmospheric studies were conducted from the Baltic to the Norwegian Sea.
Environmental Measurements
Researchers measured temperature, salinity, oxygen levels, and concentrations of biogenic substances. They also analyzed water turbulence and the composition of microplankton and mesozooplankton communities, alongside the presence of chemical pollutants such as mercury, phenols, and microplastics.
Future Plans and Challenges
Planned activities include hydrodynamic modeling and satellite observations. The collected samples are crucial for understanding the complex relationships between the Baltic and Arctic, affecting coastal circulation and freezing processes. Despite weather challenges, the expedition achieved most of its goals.
AREX, an annual IO PAN expedition, conducts interdisciplinary Arctic research, providing valuable data on environmental variability and climate change processes.