Scientific expedition investigates threatened marine ecosystems beneath Arctic ice

A team of scientists from the “Under The Pole” expedition has launched a mission to explore the underwater ecosystems beneath the Arctic ice in Svalbard, Norway. Led by Emmanuelle Périé-Bardout and Ghislain Bardout, the researchers are diving into freezing waters to study “marine animal forests”—vibrant communities of corals, sponges, and gorgonians. These ecosystems provide critical habitats and nurseries for numerous marine species. As Arctic waters warm rapidly due to climate change, the expedition aims to document these fragile environments and understand the impacts of rising temperatures on polar biodiversity.

• Researchers are conducting technical deep-sea dives in temperatures as low as -2 degrees Celsius to document life beneath the ice.
• The focus of the study is on marine animal forests, which are composed of organisms that form complex structures similar to land-based forests.
• The expedition utilizes specialized equipment to reach depths of up to 100 meters, areas that remain largely unexplored in the Arctic.
• The Arctic is warming significantly faster than the global average, posing an immediate threat to cold-water species and their habitats.
• Findings from the mission will help scientists assess the health of these ecosystems and provide data to support conservation efforts in the region.

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