Research

Arctic Floating University-2016 - “Solving Novaya Zemlya Mysteries

Expedition Dates: June 07-27, 2016

Expedition Duration: 20 days

Expedition Organizers: Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M. V. Lomonosov; Federal State Budgetary Institution “Northern Department of Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring Agency”

Expedition Route: Arkhangelsk – Kolguev Island – Matveev Island – Dolgy Island – Belyi Nos Meteostation – Varnek Settlement (Vaygach Island) – Meteostation named after Fedorov (Vaygach Island) – Malye Karmakuly Settlement (Novaya Zemlya) – Russkaya Gavan’ Bay (Novaya Zemlya) – Mac Bay (Novaya Zemlya) – Inostrantsev Bay (Novaya Zemlya) – the Zhelaniya Cape (Novaya Zemlya) – Arkhangelsk.

Expedition participants: 58 people (students, post-graduate students, research fellows of both Russian and foreign scientific and academic institutions)

Goals:

• acquisition of new data about the ecosystem condition and changes in the coastal areas of Western part of the Russian Arctic zone islands and archipelagos;
• training of young specialists in the Arctic-related spheres: hydrometeorology, ecology and environmental management, Arctic biology, recreational geography, ethnopolitology, international cooperation;

Scientific and Research Program:

• study of the species diversity and populations in Arctic and Subarctic areas and adjacent waters in the context of climate change;
• study of indigenous peoples of the North traditional lifestyle;
• study of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago geological landscapes;
• hydrometeorological monitoring of climate changes in the Western part of the Russian Arctic;
• study of high-latitude ionosphere;
• study and evaluation of the Arctic and Subarctic cultural landscapes in order to develop recreation, tourism and educational activity;
• study of human body adaptation mechanisms to the conditions of high latitudes in the Arctic and of indigenous peoples of the North health condition.

Educational program is aimed to develop interdisciplinary knowledge of the Arctic region among both Russian and foreign students by means of acquaintance with Russian Arctic ecosystems and historical and cultural heritage.

Educational modules

• Biodiversity in the Arctic and Subarctic regions of the European North of Russia
• Adaptability and possible risks in the context of current climate change in the Arctic
• Hydrometeorological research in the Arctic and Subarctic
• Arctic seas and territories ecology
• Regional geology and palaeomagnetism of Eurasian Arctic infolded margins
• Cooperation and safety issues in the Arctic
• Arctic and Subarctic cultural landscapes
• Human adaptation to the Arctic conditions