From metering the precipitation in the Arctic region to drawing up a baseline data on microbial biodiversity in Kongsfjorden sediments and carrying out a biochemical evaluation and biomarker characterisation of Arctic fjord sediments, Indian researchers are into a series of scientific investigations in the icy terrains of Arctic.
Working from Himadri, country’s Arctic research station at Spitsbergen, Norway, the scientists are looking into the various aspects of life that thrives there to gain a better understanding about the climatological factors that influence the Arctic weather and its impact on climate changes elsewhere.
The Arctic summer expedition, which began on June 13 will last for 41 days.
The researchers of the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa, specializing in atmospheric sciences, will look into the variability of precipitation over Arctic and the precipitation will be measured using Micro Rain Radar.
The temperature and humidity profiles of the region will be created using a microwave radiometer profiler.
They hope to fill the gaps in the observational data on Arctic clouds, especially during the dark winter season, by recording measurements using a ceilometer to measure the vertical profiles of multiple cloud layers.
The long-term monitoring of Kongsfjorden system of Arctic region for climate change studies has also been the mandate of the Centre during the current assignment.
An environmental specialist from the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, will pay attention to the long term environmental monitoring of fjord ecosystems, especially the ecosystem of Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden.