Scientific delegation returns from arctic expedition

A scientific delegation consisting of 11 members, including foreign scientists, has concluded its month-long journey as part of the third National Arctic Scientific Research Expedition.

The team, under the stewardship of the Industry and Technology Ministry and overseen by the Turkish Technological and Scientific Research Council (TÜBİTAK), reached the sea ice boundary at 81 degrees north latitude aboard the Norwegian-flagged research vessel, PolarXplorer.

According to TÜBİTAK's statement, the mission marked a significant achievement in international collaboration, as it marked the first cooperative endeavor stemming from the 2022 memorandum of understanding between the Brazilian Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and TÜBİTAK.

During the expedition, which took place against the backdrop of the Arctic's highest recorded average temperature, the scientific team conducted a comprehensive array of studies aimed at gaining a deeper comprehension of the climate changes occurring in the region. The researchers meticulously sampled and measured at 28 distinct locations, covering a diverse range of scientific subjects.

The research endeavors spanned across 14 distinct projects, encompassing domains such as marine and life sciences, the adaptation of ecosystems to the Arctic environment, the study of marine life including fish and other sea creatures, phytoplankton research, as well as the identification of anthropogenic pollutants in the Arctic seas.

Additionally, the team's scientific pursuits encompassed investigations into sea water's physical properties, microplastics, atmospheric pollution, meteorological patterns, environmental effects, periodic evaluation of emerging trade routes, observation of sea ice dynamics and the...