Slideshow
These images represent a visual collection of images from the Arctic 2002 Exploration. You can scroll through them one by one, or select the play button for an automatic slideshow. This page is best viewed in Netscape 7.1+ or Internet Explorer 5+.
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The slide show gives an impression of the science activities, sea ice landscape and animals found in the Canada Basin during the Arctic Ocean Exploration expedition in the late summer of 2002. Scientists from various nations, mainly the US and Canada, were investigating the physical, chemical and biological properties in this hidden and under-investigated Arctic deep-sea basin. Questions asked included: How much microscopic algae live in the Arctic Ocean and Arctic sea ice, and how fast do they grow? What animals inhabit the deep water column of the Canada Basin and its sea floor? How are the different water masses distributed in the Canada Basin, and what are their implications for climate change? Based on our findings in 2002, related questions are being asked during the 2005 expedition.
Work on animals and plants living on top of, inside, and under the Arctic sea ice requires meticulous preparation and appropriate equipment. A strong and large enough ice floe needs to be selected for under-ice SCUBA diving, ice coring and other on-ice activities. A polar bear watcher must constantly be looking for potential bears approaching the boat, so that the science party can leave the ice before a bear approaches it. For ship-based gear deployments, dense ice needs to be avoided so as not to break cables or risk the loss of equipment.
Related Links
The Hidden Ocean, Arctic 2005: Mission Plan
