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Ice Chasers return
28 Aug 2008
The 'Ice Chaser' survey team on board the James Clark Ross returned last week from its exploration of the Arctic's sea ice with news on the environment, a hot topic since some forecasts have predicted an ice free Arctic summer within the next ten years.
The British Antarctic Survey ship, 'James Clark Ross'
Talking to MJ, Ray Leaky, leader of the scientific programme said that the cruise went well, adding that the ship, 'although not at the limit of its capability, was really used for what it could do.'
He went on to say that, 'Last year, the sea ice was at its thinnest since records began but where we were up in the northwest corner of the Arctic, we found more ice than we actually thought we might. However, this comes down to local weather systems pushing it over. The big picture is one of less ice and thinner ice.'
Part of the 'Ice Chaser' expedition's focus was on how carbon, a major player in determining global climate, is recycled and stored in the Arctic.
Read the full story in the September issue of Maritime Journal.
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