{"id":56722,"date":"2026-08-27T16:29:33","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T14:29:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/?post_type=nyhet&#038;p=56722"},"modified":"2026-08-27T16:29:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T14:29:33","slug":"trolltransect-no-free-ride-but-much-to-be-gained","status":"publish","type":"nyhet","link":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/newsarticle\/trolltransect-no-free-ride-but-much-to-be-gained\/","title":{"rendered":"TrollTransect: No free ride, but much to be gained"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-sizing-medium has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">By:&nbsp;<strong>Tore Hattermann, Sebastien Moreau, Kristen Fossan, Heidi Ahonen, Sebastien Descamps, Agneta Fransson, Sebastian Gerland and Katrine Husum&nbsp;<\/strong>\/\/ Norwegian Polar Institute<br \/>\n<strong>Melissa Chierici<\/strong>&nbsp;\/\/ Institute of Marine Research<br \/>\n<strong>Terri Souster and Monica Winsborrow<a id=\"_ftnref1\" href=\"https:\/\/framforum.com\/2026\/03\/13\/trolltransect-no-free-ride-but-much-to-be-gained\/#_ftn1\">*<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\/\/ iC3: Centre for ice, Cryosphere, Carbon and Climate<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-sizing-medium has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><a id=\"_ftn1\" href=\"https:\/\/framforum.com\/2026\/03\/13\/trolltransect-no-free-ride-but-much-to-be-gained\/#_ftnref1\">*<\/a>&nbsp;Both affiliated with UiT The Arctic University of Norway<\/p>\n<div class=\"___4htdyp0 fz7g6wx fy77jfu\">\n<div class=\"___1j4t0a1 f1lmfglv f1abmfm4\" dir=\"auto\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-testid=\"markdown-reply\" data-message-id=\"1bb37eb2-c7c4-474d-aad2-9942272ab848\" data-message-type=\"Chat\">\n<div class=\"___nfp7g60 f22iagw f1vx9l62 fkmyikg fk15e71 f1k953kz f137keqj f1rncccw f1stllg3 f1w4kmmc f1tric3v f10dk5ic fx8cdsv f16nlwsl f1eookvz fhjrts3 fqugt2f f18d18k8 f1v1vhmp f1hdmul3 f198vjnp f2dshw1 fjpjndq fnmj2pj ffrrb40 f1mon110 fhajzam fimndk6 fxv4dng fb1rn9k f59wlhv f1xmfh30 f18yf5o5 fmr6chf fw8qy2q ff161sd f1qr7t77 f1yyogn1 foogchg fp5872b f1tpb8gf f1hdgrc8 f1vatr43 frkxccd f9pdzkb f158oiaz ft5kggy f5l4ui7 f13j03li f18xdoka f8off4e f1go6zfc f128n2ra f1jpxw2j f1lwd9n0 fy0b8hm f1g2633v fx4kvgi fkvolse f1gxrt3a f1os76ua f1js9cnw f1g87ej0 freluf8 f1yggaq6 f2i3chp f1151osp florpoh f35kzfz ftp9m57 f1e288vi fz62hnz fixvuys f1nmofwh fc1c6mv f18a2er7 fhvkrdl fhxnn68 f1oce4bo fvhlfan f7tc0t0 f1ngf1n2 ffrzq6x f1yjiq2m f1aqdgql f1huvaf f10ij78l f1k94sa4 fkmfumq f1jvzkyl f1eu24ob f1xbfc1f fmf0lwf f107dsy8 f3w566c f4648sl f13zpkng f7unjfp f8p1rz fzu6h1w f1i1bi6h f1smo7hi f1sk1xod f1kgogdq f1gjktkp ft608jz f1o9wiiv fg3xr24 fhd155k f1b8gl2e fg4b9ou flb4lo fdicbfk fgwcyh1 f1jbds0d f1fb9uea f1stuka4 fcrtu6g fwqh0xn f11w66yg f6e0e65 f1vvgu0 f1607507 fgct6un f1ec1nbe fg3fpv7 f1m9bycv f1ntoah8 f1b694rt faql4r2 fpjuhzh fmavl6h f1d9bsk fmzhlt0 f145l92p fwkyaqm f129obh1 f19la9g f127w39w fr0ux9m fxhidck f1cu4h9j f1wnbo7v f1eueg4z fy9c24f f1h2o91j f1iw08fq f19n0e5\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/framforum.com\/2026\/03\/13\/trolltransect-no-free-ride-but-much-to-be-gained\/\"><strong>This article was first published in Fram Forum 2026<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Every southern hemisphere summer since the all-year Antarctic research Station Troll was opened in 2005, Norway has carried out supply operations. However, in 2020, when the world was in the midst of the COVID pandemic, this logistical necessity was transformed into a scientific opportunity: a small multidisciplinary team of scientists joined the supply vessel on its voyage across the globe from the High North to the Antarctic coast. Since then, the TrollTransect cruises have made systematic observations and collected data in Kong Haakon VII Hav, previously one of the least studied regions of the Southern Ocean. Integrating research into annual supply operations has created a cost-effective and sustainable framework for collecting climate-relevant data from the Antarctic. Spearheaded by the Norwegian Polar Institute and the Centre for ice, Cryosphere, Carbon and Climate (iC3) the programme supports Fram Centre efforts to understand interactions between the cryosphere, ocean, and atmosphere in a changing climate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every southern hemisphere summer since the all-year Antarctic research Station Troll was opened in 2005, Norway has carried out supply operations. However, in 2020, when the world was in the midst of the COVID pandemic, this logistical necessity was transformed into a scientific opportunity: a small multidisciplinary team of scientists joined the supply vessel on its voyage across the globe from the High North to the Antarctic coast. Since then, the TrollTransect cruises have made systematic observations and collected data in Kong Haakon VII Hav, previously one of the least studied regions of the Southern Ocean. Integrating research into annual supply operations has created a cost-effective and sustainable framework for collecting climate-relevant data from the Antarctic. Spearheaded by the Norwegian Polar Institute and the Centre for ice, Cryosphere, Carbon and Climate (iC3) the programme supports Fram Centre efforts to understand interactions between the cryosphere, ocean, and atmosphere in a changing climate.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a90406971d77&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a90406971d77\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4445\" src=\"https:\/\/framforum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/moorings-web.jpg\" alt=\"Foto av fort\u00f8yninger p\u00e5 b\u00e5t\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" \/>Deep ocean mooring equipment being made ready for deployment in Kong Haakon VII Hav.&nbsp;Photo: Tore Hattermann \/ Norwegian Polar Institute<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Turning cargo runs into science<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The voyage between Cape Town and Antarctica\u2019s icy coast follows a tight choreography, combining oceanographic measurements, biological sampling, sea ice work, and ecological surveys with logistical needs. The scientific objectives address pressing questions of the ocean\u2019s influence on the Antarctic ice sheet stability and sea level, the fate of sea ice in the Southern Ocean, and the functioning of a marine ecosystem that supports abundant wildlife and contributes significantly to the global carbon cycle:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4464\" src=\"https:\/\/framforum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/microprofiling-web-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Foto av forskere som jobber\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Deploying a microstructure profiler to study turbulence under the sea ice. Photo: Sebastien Moreau \/ Norwegian Polar Institute<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Oceanographic measurements<\/strong>&nbsp;comprise repeated Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) transects, turbulence microstructure profiling, and maintenance of the Troll Observing Network Multidisciplinary Ocean Moored Observatory. These so-called TONe\u2013MOMO moorings collect physical, biogeochemical, and biological data across the continental slope off Dronning Maud Land, contributing to long-term monitoring of Circumpolar Deep Water and its influence on ice shelf melting and sea-level rise. The upper 200 m of the mooring structure is mounted with an innovative weak-link technology, which allows us to place sensors close to the iceberg-infested surface waters, providing unique data and process understanding of the Antarctic seasonal sea ice zone.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sediment traps<\/strong>&nbsp;deployed and recovered during mooring maintenance capture the vertical flux of organic matter, its quantity and composition (i.e., ice algae, phytoplankton, zooplankton exoskeletons and faecal pellets as well as marine snow), and offer insights into biological carbon export and the ocean\u2019s capacity to sequester carbon, a particularly important process in the Southern Ocean.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sea ice surveys<\/strong>&nbsp;include ship-based monitoring following a standardised setup, ice stations on both drifting sea ice and landfast sea ice (contributing to the Antarctic Fast Ice Network AFIN) with snow and ice thickness measurements and sea ice core collection.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>In situ<\/em><\/strong><strong>&nbsp;sampling of ice, ocean, and sediments<\/strong>&nbsp;reveals processes that are shaping the regional physical and ecological environment and carbon cycle. Ice cores and seawater are analysed for physical, biological and biogeochemical properties. A suite of multidisciplinary indicators is collected, such as physical sea ice properties and crystal texture, chlorophyll&nbsp;<em>a<\/em>&nbsp;(the main algal pigment) and algal species, particulate organic carbon and nitrogen, biogenic silica, nutrient concentrations, dissolved inorganic carbon and total alkalinity, as well as noble gas and oxygen stable isotopic ratios, which together provide thorough insights on the system dynamics and its change. Strategic acquisition of sediment cores provides further insights into ice sheet behaviour, carbon and nutrient cycling both past and present.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Systematic marine wildlife observations<\/strong>, conducted from the ship\u2019s bridge, and passive and active acoustic sensors on the TONe-MOMO moorings establish a baseline by documenting the seabird and marine mammal but also fish and zooplankton communities that use these waters along a large latitudinal gradient, providing critical information in a data-poor region. They reveal how important sea-ice habitats and the marginal ice zone are as foraging areas for birds and mammals, highlighting the ecological role of these dynamic environments. Annually repeated surveys reveal changes in wildlife density, community composition, and overall biodiversity over time, offering insight into how these marine ecosystems respond to ongoing environmental changes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Opportunistic deployments of gilders<\/strong>&nbsp;and ice-capable BGC-Argo floats enlarge the footprint along the ship\u2019s route in the sea ice zone, north of Maud Rise, or even in the waters of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5005\" src=\"https:\/\/framforum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/penguin-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A curious Adelie penguin watches what\u2019s going on.&nbsp;Photo: Sebastien Moreau \/ Norwegian Polar Institute.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a90406972334&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a90406972334\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5006\" src=\"https:\/\/framforum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/team-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" \/>The TrollTransect 2023 science crew, left to right: Johanne J Hus, Megan Lenss, Jan A Jakobsen, Tore Hattermann, Sebastien Moreau and Kristen Fossan.&nbsp;Photo: A Andreassen \/ Silversea<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Together, these data provide a comprehensive picture of the interplay between the ice sheet, ocean, sea ice, ecosystems, and the movement of carbon at the Antarctic margin. In addition, the unique platform stimulates participation of early career scientists in research cruises, giving rise to multiple publications, attracts international attention in the Antarctic research community, and enables successful applications for external funding.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full wp-lightbox-container\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a904069727a3&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a904069727a3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4467\" src=\"https:\/\/framforum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/map-1.png\" alt=\"Kart\" width=\"1157\" height=\"1129\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" \/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" data-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\" aria-label=\"Enlarge\"><\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The TrollTransect study region, showing repeat ocean profiling and mooring positions. White contours are 1000 metre isobaths; purple contours delineate the floating ice shelf.&nbsp;<strong>Figure<\/strong>: Tore Hattermann \/ Norwegian Polar Institute.&nbsp;<strong>Mapping tools<\/strong>: Quantarctica (see&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.envsoft.2021.105015\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Matsuoka et al, Environ Model Softw 140:105015, 2021<\/a>). Inset: NASA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4449\" src=\"https:\/\/framforum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/algae-web.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1440\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The sea ice is full of life. Algal communities thrive in summer, giving the water this greenish colour.&nbsp;Photo: Sebastien Moreau \/ Norwegian Polar Institute<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Leveraging logistics: pros and cons<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using a resupply vessel as a research platform has both clear advantages and practical limitations. TrollTransect\u2019s strength lies in its regularity and sustainability\u2014its cruises are guaranteed by operational necessity rather than the availability of costly research charters. This ensures a long-term commitment to build climate-relevant time series that rarely exist in the Southern Ocean but are essential for detection of change and process understanding.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The use of containerised laboratories that can be set up on the cargo hatches of the container vessel has proven highly effective. A purpose-built winch container and A-frame provide safe and flexible options for water profiling and sampling and deployment of deep-ocean moorings. Self-contained heated and insulated containers provide a wet-lab for water sampling, laboratory benches, an instrument control room, and an electrical workshop, creating functional workspaces even on a ship not designed for research activities. However, the phrase&nbsp;<em>\u201cno free ride\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;aptly captures the challenges. Resupplying Troll Station remains the primary mission of the voyage, and the science operations are fit in to utilise logistical opportunities. Researchers are typically allocated one week for data collection during the 40-day voyage, and schedules must adapt to weather, ice conditions, and operational demands. As the ship is not designed for many passengers, work is done by a small team\u2014usually five to seven scientists and engineers\u2014who play multiple roles to make efficient use of limited time. Although fit-for-purpose, the technical solutions in our \u201ccontainer village\u201d are far from foolproof and require awareness and the capability to improvise from their users. On the upside, the science teams that have worked on three different ships over the past few years have always perceived the captain and crew of the supply vessel as extremely supportive and helpful.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The work is demanding, the space is limited, and the schedule is tight\u2014but the rewards are significant, contributing further knowledge on climate and ecosystem dynamics that are of global interest and support sustainable management of remote but important marine areas. Each voyage adds a new chapter to our understanding of the Southern Ocean and reinforces a simple truth: there may be no free ride in Antarctic research, but there is much knowledge to be gained.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-octonary-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Further reading<\/h2>\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Lowther A. et al (2022) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00300-022-03059-8\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00300-022-03059-8\">A review of the scientific knowledge of the seascape off Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica.<\/a>&nbsp;Polar Biol 45:1313\u20131349,<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Moreau S. et al (2023) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-023-36992-1\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-023-36992-1\">Wind-driven upwelling of iron sustains dense blooms and food webs in the eastern Weddell Gyre.<\/a>&nbsp;Nat Commun 14:1303,<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ic3.uit.no\/news\/hidden-under-the-ice-why-antarctic-sea-ice-algae-matter-more-than-you-think\">https:\/\/ic3.uit.no\/news\/hidden-under-the-ice-why-antarctic-sea-ice-algae-matter-more-than-you-think<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":56723,"template":"","tags":[],"emne":[95,101,108],"horinger":[],"class_list":["post-56722","nyhet","type-nyhet","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","emne-antarctic","emne-scientific-research","emne-climate"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/nyhet\/56722","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/nyhet"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/nyhet"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/nyhet\/56722\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56749,"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/nyhet\/56722\/revisions\/56749"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56723"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56722"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56722"},{"taxonomy":"emne","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/emne?post=56722"},{"taxonomy":"horinger","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/npolar.no\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/horinger?post=56722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}