Russian scientists will determine the mechanisms of climate change and the nature of Svalbard in 150 thousand years

Specialists of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) will conduct paleogeographic studies in the new season of work on Svalbard this year. They will provide information on climate changes in the archipelago, as well as on the relief and structure of the quaternary deposits of the northern part of Oscar II Land and Prince Karl Land. This was announced by the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia on its website.

"The data obtained as a result of paleogeographic studies will help identify the main parameters and mechanisms of climate change and the natural environment of the Svalbard archipelago over the past 150,000 years and will serve as a source for creating more accurate and correct reconstructions of the evolution of the landscapes of the islands of Western Svalbard and Prince Karl Land," said Yuri Ugryumov, head of the Russian Arctic Expedition to Svalbard, which are given in the message.

In addition, as part of the new season of scientific work in Svalbard, which will take place from March to September, Russian specialists will conduct oceanographic research in the fjords of the archipelago. They will be aimed at studying the dynamics and structure of water masses in bays, the influence of the West Svalbard branch of the Norwegian Current on the oceanological regime, the seasonal dynamics of carbon cycle components, spatial and seasonal variability of the content of biogenic components.

"The data are of great interest for studying climate change in the Arctic, and will reveal patterns of distribution of Atlantic waters in fjords. Scientists will be able to draw conclusions about the causes of the penetration of oceanic waters into the bays of the archipelago, to assess the impact of glacial and river runoff on the desalination of marine waters of the archipelago and the distribution of organic matter in the Gulf of Grenfjord," the Ministry of Natural Resources reported.

In addition, the data obtained will allow us to determine the degree of saturation of marine waters with carbon dioxide, aragonite, calcite, as well as the potential productivity of fjord waters.

AANI specialists are going to conduct comprehensive hydrological studies on the archipelago to assess the impact of climate change on the ratio of elements of the water balance in river catchments.

"The field work will last six months and will cover the catchments of seven rivers, three lakes and three glaciers. Scientists will assess the characteristics of the snow cover and the duration of its occurrence on glaciers and surrounding slopes, investigate the intensity of evaporation from the snow surface and snowmelt processes, the state of water bodies and their hydrometric characteristics, calculate liquid and ion runoff and the volume of suspended sediments carried by rivers into Grenfjord Bay," the message says.