Canadian scientist leading mission to embed research vessel in Arctic sea ice

KIRKENES - A Newfoundland-based scientist is spearheading an international expedition to deliberately embed a saucer-shaped research vessel into Arctic sea ice during periods of continuous darkness. The six-person crew, comprising both scientists and crew members, will occupy the Tara polar research station, an aluminum-clad vessel designed to be frozen directly into the Arctic pack ice, for a duration of 15 to 18 months.

This mission, led by Maxime Geoffroy, a Canadian researcher, aims to cover over 220 research protocols encompassing various aspects of the Arctic ecosystem, including the atmosphere, sea ice, water, pollution, and microbiology. The vessel, which will drift along the transpolar drift, a conveyor belt of ice moving throughout the Arctic, will be equipped with cameras, sonar systems, sea ice sampling equipment, and bottles for capturing organisms at different ocean depths.

Additionally, it will feature a remote-operated vehicle for exploring under the sea ice and a meteorological balloon to be deployed into the atmosphere. The project, overseen by France’s Tara Ocean Foundation, an official observer at the United Nations, seeks to gather data on fish populations, their diet, and fat content in prey, as well as explore biodiversity and animal adaptations to extreme conditions.

The crew, all experienced in the Arctic, underwent extensive medical and psychological screenings to ensure they could cope with the isolation, perpetual darkness, workload, and extreme environment. While the lead researcher has a long-term partner and acknowledges the difficulty of being away for such an extended period, she views this opportunity as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.