Linnaeus University participating in the "North of Greenland" Expedition
Julia Weissenbach and Marcelo Ketzer, researchers at the Department of Biology and Environmental Science, are participating in the "North of Greenland" expedition onboard the Swedish icebreaker Oden. The ship has broken ice for several days to finally reach the Victoria Fjord, a place where no other ship has been before.
The expedition runs between 6 August and 18 September 2024 and is led by Stockholm University. On board are researchers from several countries, including two from Linnaeus University's Department of Biology and Environmental Science.
Julia Weissenbach is focusing on the microbial life in the Lincoln Sea and Viktoria Fjord to study the abundance and population composition of (pico)phythoplankton and their associated viruses in the Polar environment. Analysis of Chlorophyll concentrations are done directly on board, while samples for RNA/DNA extraction, cell and virus abundance, and microscopy will be analyzed back at Linnaeus University. This study will shed new light on the changes and adaptation of ecosystem functions in a warming Artic Ocean.
Marcelo Ketzer is collecting samples at different depths in the Lincoln Sea, in the Viktoria Fjord, and even in nearby rivers and lakes to measure concentrations and isotopic signatures of methane in the water. The samples will be sent to Kalmar after the expedition to be analyzed in the stable isotope laboratory at Linnaeus University. This work will help to better understand melting processes of glaciers when in contact with Atlantic waters.
More information:
Learn more about the North of Greenland expedition at the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat website.
Learn more about the research project: "Biogeochemical controls on primary production, primary producer community assemblage, and photic zone methane and nitrous oxide in northern Greenland fjords"