Polarstern expedition ARK-XXIII/3
Reykjavik - Bremerhaven
12 August 2008 - 19 October 2008
Chief scientist: Dr. Wilfried Jokat
The third leg of the 23rd "Polarstern" expedition to the Arctic starts on 12 August 2008 in Reykjavik.
In order to reach the East Siberian Sea the research icebreaker Polarstern will transit through the NW Passage into the research area, and will leave it via the NE Passage. Research activities will concentrate on geoscience at the junction of the Mendeleev Ridge with the East Siberian Shelf. Depending on the sea ice conditions, it is planned to conduct seismic investigations at the junction of the ridge with the shelf to investigate the tectonic evolution of this feature.
Oceanographic investigations will concentrate to collect water samples in order to document the actual changes in the water mass composition.
Biological investigations will use a multi-net to investigate the abundance of the copepod Oithona simili.
The cruise leg will end on 19 October 2008 in Bremerhaven.
- Photos: Rainer Isbert
Teacher will be aboard Polarstern
Gaining insights into the global climate system is not the only objective of the International Polar Year. Involving the public, specifically the young generation, in ongoing research and provision of extensive information are central goals. For this reason, the teacher Rainer Isbert will be aboard Polarstern. He will be actively involved in the expedition research, allowing him to communicate his insights via internet to his students.
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