How narwhal 'scientists' track Arctic warming

Scientists have discovered that narwhals, often referred to as the "unicorns of the sea," are providing valuable insights into Arctic warming. A study published in Science Advances equipped six narwhals with satellite transmitters and monitored their movements in remote East Greenland waters between 2017 and 2020. This innovative approach yielded more than 2,000 observations of temperature and salinity, shedding light on how warm Atlantic water is intruding deep into the region's fjords and accelerating glacial melt.

Professor Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen of the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, the study's lead author, explained that the narwhals' ability to dive to depths of over 1,500 meters provided them with unique measurements of water density, enabling them to distinguish between Atlantic and polar water sources. This data revealed that warm Atlantic water was found deep beneath glaciers in the Scoresby Sound fjord complex, located 350 kilometers inland.

The collaboration between scientists and narwhals has revolutionized oceanographic research, highlighting the potential of unconventional partners in advancing scientific understanding. However, the narwhals themselves are not immune to the impacts of climate change. As the warming climate reduces their habitat, they may be forced to relocate to even colder northern waters.