MOSAiC Expedition

The MOSAiC expedition to the Central Arctic was a joint effort by the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in Bremerhaven, Germany; the University of Bremen in Bremen, Germany; Stockholm University in Stockholm, Sweden; and Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. The mission of this research program was to explore and understand the complex climate processes in the Arctic, their potential impacts on the world’s climate and ecosystem, and in particular, on sea ice melt processes. The following article explains the answer to what MOSAiC Expedition is and who funded the MOSAiC Expedition in brief.

The Polarstern Icebreaker

The research vessel Polarstern and an ice-strengthened research icebreaker carried out a year-long drift through the Central Arctic. The scientific measurements during the expedition were supported by numerous ground measurements, including those of the MOSAiC floe 2.0 on the original Central Arctic ice floe in January 2020 and those of an ice station network around Polarstern’s position on the drift. The German research aircraft Polar 5 accompanied Polarstern on her journey, while Polar 6 flew over the ice in a circular route in August/September 2020.

What is MOSAiC Expedition?

The Arctic is an area of extremely rapid change. No other region on Earth is as strongly affected by climate change as the Arctic. The Arctic sea ice, which has dwindled to a mere tenth of its area compared to 50 years ago, is decreasing at a rate of 13 percent per decade. The permafrost, which extends over vast areas in the northern territories of Russia and Canada, is also starting to melt, while at the same time, sea levels are rising due to global warming. To better understand the processes taking place in this region and develop the tools for sustainable future development of the Arctic, the International MOSAiC Expedition is carrying out intensive observations. The aim is to establish an international research network for climate, ocean, and sea ice research in the Arctic. By the end of 2020, the data collected on a drifting ice floe in the Central Arctic will enable us to draw global scientific conclusions. It is a unique opportunity to contribute to building a sustainable future for humankind.

The MOSAiC Expedition is led by a world-renowned German research icebreaker Polarstern, which will be assisted by two research vessels belonging to the German research fleet. The journey took almost four months and involved thousands of measurements in the Southern Ocean and on ice floes in Antarctica, together with more than 50 scientists from around the globe. Polarstern is ideally suited for monitoring and measuring the climate in the remote Central Arctic. She is well-equipped with up-to-date scientific instruments, and her crew has extensive experience of long polar journeys. The expedition will be supported by two smaller research vessels, which will deploy 48 autonomous measuring instruments on drifting ice floes as far as 50 kilometers from Polarstern’s position. The research ships, Akademik Fedorov and Norwegian-German research icebreaker, Oden, will also record the on-site meteorological, oceanographic, and sea-ice conditions.

The MOSAiC Expedition is a joint project involving Germany’s Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) as the lead organization, together with Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Chemistry (MPI) and the Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR). AWI provides the scientific leadership and GEOMAR the logistical support. AWI is also responsible for developing the world’s first MOSAiC database, which will be made freely available to scientists worldwide.

“The MOSAiC Consortium comprises more than 100 partners from 14 countries, including Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden (University of Groningen), Denmark (National Space Institute), Finland (University of Helsinki), Iceland (Ice Research Centre), and Russia (“Federal Physical-Technical Institute”). The project aims to help create a new scientific platform for long-term research in the Arctic. The data collected will be permanently archived and made freely available to scientists worldwide for further research.

The Significance of MOSAiC

• The MOSAiC Bridge helps to connect the global community of researchers.
• The MOSAiC Consortium will enable the development of an international Arctic research network, providing a unique platform for long-term Arctic research.
• The MOSAiC database, which will be made freely available to scientists worldwide, will help to improve global climate change communication.
• The MOSAiC data will also be of great use to climate change adaptation and mitigation projects in the Arctic.
• The MOSAiC Expedition will improve sea ice forecasting models, which are needed for the effective management of resources in the Arctic.
• The MOSAiC data will also be used by researchers in other fields such as space science, oceanography, and biogeochemistry.

Conclusion

The article concludes what MOSAiC Expedition is. It is the world’s most comprehensive long-term study of the shrinking of Arctic sea ice. Scientists use a highly advanced research ship to take thousands of samples and measurements. They measure the thickness and properties of the sea ice, study oceanography and meteorology, and systematically map the seafloor. As it is conducted over an extended timescale, this will provide valuable insights into changes in global climate patterns. Scientists are investigating sea ice thickness and its properties at various locations to understand better what is happening in our environment and why these changes occur.