Tara - Departure from the Tara Oceans Expedition Polar Circle - Sailing News

Tara Oceans Polar Circle brings together biologists and oceanographers and focuses on the biodiversity of plankton in the Arctic. Research will be conducted at the edge of sea ice, where the plankton is the most important activity. Prospecting in the Arctic Ocean, Tara Oceans Polar Circle will complete the ambition of the Tara Oceans expedition (2009-2012): collect plankton in the oceans of the world . Indeed, during Tara Oceans , only the Ocean missing in the effort to collect and analyze.

In addition, other issues will be explored, such as the assessment of mercury levels in the atmosphere and in the sea or the concentration of plastic particles. These unprecedented measures to better assess their impact on the Arctic ecosystem.

extreme conditions

Tara navigate in an environment where the natural conditions are difficult. Although the period of thaw grows every year, passing the window before the ice closes is short and leaves little room for the unexpected. Beyond the Arctic Circle, temperatures between -10 ° C and 5 ° C in summer. The day is permanent in the Arctic and gradually clear nights settle 12 hours a day in September.

Context

The Arctic is feeling the effects of climate changes more intensely than elsewhere, as evidenced by the rapid melting of sea ice in summer. Unique and fragile environment, it is increasingly sought after, especially for its wealth in gas, oil, minerals and fisheries or shipping lanes, so it is a key area for understanding the changes in the world.

The scientific mission in brief

• Comparison of biological data of plankton and their physico-chemical environment in the Arctic with the data collected in other oceans since 2009 when Tara Oceans expedition .

Study

• plastic derived, dissolved and atmospheric mercury present in the Arctic.
• Study of the “color” of the ocean, its composition and pigment particle surface.

Specific study

• blooms (blooms) of phytoplankton at the edge of sea ice.