{"id":35938,"date":"2022-08-18T16:52:07","date_gmt":"2022-08-18T14:52:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/?post_type=nyhet&p=35938"},"modified":"2025-08-29T11:25:59","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T09:25:59","slug":"scientific-mooring-in-the-arctic-ocean","status":"publish","type":"nyhet","link":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/newsarticle\/scientific-mooring-in-the-arctic-ocean\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustained observation system established in the central Arctic Ocean"},"content":{"rendered":"

On the working deck of R\/V Kronprins Haakon, four kilometres of Kevlar line are spooled up on a winch and advanced scientific instruments lie ready to go into the water. Small talk has subsided, all attention is focussed on the deployment of the Norwegian Polar Institute\u2019s deepest and northernmost moorings.<\/p>\n

\"Fugleperspektiv<\/a>

OUT IN THE ICE: The two first moorings which have been named Amundsen-1 and Nansen-1 are the deepest and northernmost moorings the Norwegian Polar Institute has deployed and mark the start of a new time series in the central Arctic Ocean. Photo: Trine Lise Sviggum Helgerud, Norwegian Polar Institute<\/p><\/div>\n

4000 vertical meters<\/h2>\n

The Arctic Ocean 2022 cruise <\/a> has reached the western part of the Amundsen basin, one of the four deep basins in the Arctic Ocean. This is the site for the first scientific mooring. The second one will be deployed further southeast, in the Nansen basin. The two neighbouring basins are separated at depth by the underwater Gakkel ridge.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe mooring is held in position by a bottom anchor and is kept vertical by subsurface floats placed at regular intervals that lift the instruments and line\u201d, says engineer Kristen Fossan who leads the mooring deployment operation.<\/p>\n

Along the mooring line, Fossan and his colleagues are attaching scientific instruments to collect data from different depths of the water column, to capture the year-round characteristics of the sea ice drifting by at the surface, the water properties and circulation, and the species composition of the ecosystem. All components needed to understand the rapid changes of the Arctic Ocean.<\/p>\n

\"To<\/a>

RESEARCH ENGINEERS: Marius Bratrein and Kristen Fossan attach one of nine CTDs to the Nansen-1 mooring that will measure temperature and salinity in the water column over the next two years. Photo: Trine Lise Sviggum Helgerud, Norwegian Polar Institute<\/p><\/div>\n

Year-round measurements<\/h2>\n

Even if the Arctic is getting warmer, it is still an extreme environment – cold, dark and ice-covered for large parts of the year. Observations in other seasons than summer, when the is at sea ice it\u2019s minimum extent, require special effort and are usually very costly. So far, only a few expeditions have collected data in wintertime<\/a> and even fewer have managed to collect sustained observations at one site for a significant period.<\/p>\n

Chief Scientist Paul Dodd is a physical oceanographer, he leads research activity during NPI\u2019s 2022 Arctic Ocean cruise.<\/p>\n

\u00abThe moorings are just the beginning of a long time series of sustained observations from the central Arctic Ocean. They will provide a comprehensive set of continuous measurements at two key locations, for an initial period of two years. Collecting year-round in-situ observations from fixed locations in this environment is unique and the instruments deployed during the Arctic Ocean 2022 cruise lay the foundation for an exciting new research program\u00bb, says Dodd.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Arctic expedition and the rigs are mainly financed by the Ministry of Climate and Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.<\/p>\n

“We look after Norway’s interests by distinguishing ourselves professionally with a cruise with F\/F Kronprins Haakon and launching rigs in the central Arctic Ocean,” says cruise leader and director Ole Arve Misund.<\/p>\n

Comparison of two neighbouring deep basins<\/h2>\n

The marine ecosystem in the Arctic Ocean is understudied, but existing research suggests it will struggle under the large and swift changes expected in the sea ice and ocean properties.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe theory is that the Nansen Basin is more \u2018atlantified\u2019 than the Amundsen basin\u201d, Dodd says.<\/p>\n

Atlantification describes the way that the Arctic Ocean gradually is getting more like the North Atlantic Ocean. The more warm Atlantic water enters the Arctic Ocean, the greater the probability that heat spreads to the cold polar waters at the surface and contributes to sea ice retreat.<\/p>\n

In addition, Atlantification means that the Arctic Ocean could become warm enough to support Atlantic species. These could out compete the native arctic species that are highly adapted to cold conditions and sea ice.<\/p>\n

\"Fire<\/a>

<\/strong> TWIN MOORINGS: \u201cThe new moorings will enable us to compare the Amundsen and Nansen Basins and how they are each affected by ongoing Atlantification. The answers will give us an insight into what the future Arctic Ocean will look like.\u201d explains chief scientist Paul Dodd. Photo: Trine Lise Sviggum Helgerud, Norwegian Polar Institute<\/p><\/div>\n

More ships are expected to venture into the Central Arctic<\/h2>\n

With atlantification and decrease of sea ice, previously inaccessible regions of the Arctic will be exposed to human activities.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe expect an increase in ship traffic in the Arctic Ocean, including tourism, new shipping routes and perhaps eventually fishing activity. To manage the region in the best possible way, we need to map what is valuable and vulnerable. The mooring observations are needed to understand newly accessible parts of the marine environment and the ecosystem\u201d, says Dodd.<\/p>\n

Paul Dodd is leading the Fram Centre programme SUDARCO<\/a> (Sustainable Development of the Arctic Ocean)*, which aims to establish the knowledge needed for the best possible management of the Arctic Ocean. Sixty-nine researchers and technicians from nine Fram Centre member institutions are participating.
\nTo be able to give updated advice on management, SUDARCO works towards filling three knowledge gaps:<\/p>\n