My research took me to the arctic Ny-Ålesund station in the Svalbard archipelago in Oct-Nov 2021 and September 2022 as part of the SUN-SPEARS project. SUN-SPEARS scope is to investigate how seasonal processes contribute to long-term development of Arctic soils, one of the most heavily affected ecosystems by global warming. My aim was to collect soils samples from the retreating Midre Lovénbreen glacier forefield during the autumn freeze-up period.
Ny-Ålesund is a small town located at nearly 78 degrees north, home to international permanent research facilities. The town is these days easily reachable with a 25-minute flight from Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s unofficial capital. 25 minutes of breathtaking views of mountain peaks, glaciers and bays on a clear day.
A couple hours of hiking takes you to the forefield of Midre Lovénbreen, one of the most studied receding glaciers in the Arctic. We decided to flash freeze soil samples in liquid nitrogen at the site, to guarantee the best preservation of the actual microbial community activity.
Visiting Ny-Ålesund this time a year can be quite stunning as the transition period to the dark winter rewards you with enchanting twilight landscapes and occasional early northern lights. Reindeer are common visitors of this area and occasional encounters can happen with arctic foxes, seals, and polar bears.
Photo credits: Lara Vimercati, James Bradley and Amanda Serné
Ny-Ålesund is a small town located at nearly 78 degrees north, home to international permanent research facilities. The town is these days easily reachable with a 25-minute flight from Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s unofficial capital. 25 minutes of breathtaking views of mountain peaks, glaciers and bays on a clear day.
A couple hours of hiking takes you to the forefield of Midre Lovénbreen, one of the most studied receding glaciers in the Arctic. We decided to flash freeze soil samples in liquid nitrogen at the site, to guarantee the best preservation of the actual microbial community activity.
Visiting Ny-Ålesund this time a year can be quite stunning as the transition period to the dark winter rewards you with enchanting twilight landscapes and occasional early northern lights. Reindeer are common visitors of this area and occasional encounters can happen with arctic foxes, seals, and polar bears.
Photo credits: Lara Vimercati, James Bradley and Amanda Serné
2021 EXPEDITION
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2022 EXPEDITION