Since December 11, the Ukrainian research icebreaker Noosphere has been operating south of the Antarctic Circle for the first time. The ship is conducting international oceanographic and geological research in the Southern Ocean.
This was reported by the National Antarctic Research Center.
The Noosphere’s route began at the Ukrainian Antarctic station Akademik Vernadsky, located just north of the polar circle. The ship then passed through the Antarctic Circle, Margaret Bay on the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, and reached the British Antarctic Station “Rothera” on Adelaide Island.
According to icebreaker captain Andriy Starish, the ship had to maneuver between icebergs for more than two hours during the crossing. Along the route, oceanographers studied sea heat waves caused by global warming and mapped the seabed using acoustic equipment.
Scientists took measurements at 12 points in the Southern Ocean using a CTD probe, including temperature, salinity, oxygen content, acidity level, and analyzed chemical and biological indicators. Ukrainian and Mexican geologists collected samples of bottom sediments using a multicorer for further analysis of climate change over hundreds and thousands of years.
“The results were quite unexpected, but we will talk about them after the study is completed,” the report said.
During the event at the Rotera station, discussions were held on the possibilities of joint research, which is planned to begin this season. Currently, the Noosphere has begun its return journey to the Akademik Vernadsky station, during which scientific research will continue.
