Polarstern in the Arctic - Expedition ARK XXII/1

The RV Polarstern cruise ARK-XXII/1a-c contributes to the EU funded Integrated Project HERMES (Hotspot Ecosystem Research on the Margins of European Seas), aiming at research on ecosystems lying in the deeper ocean section in the context of the International Polar Year 2007/2008. It represents the first major attempt to understand European deep-water ecosystems and their environment in an integrated way (geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere of a pan-European range). In particular, HERMES will focus on hot spots that are strongly physically mediated and associated with dynamic geological and/or hydrogeological structures, such as unstable slope systems, canyons, deep-water corals, cold seeps and anoxic microbial systems. These important systems need to be urgently studied because of their possible biological fragility, global relevance to carbon cycling and/or susceptibility to catastrophic events and to global change.

The expedition is divided into three sections, or sub-legs:

• XXII/1a: 29 May - 22 June 2007
  • coldwater coral reefs off the Norwegian coast
  • 4 pupils are on-board and writing about their experiences
• XXII/1b: 23 June - 9 July 2007
  • Hakon Mosby mud volcano

• XXII/1c: 10. Juli - 25. Juli 2007
  • HAUSGARTEN west of Svalbard, Fram Strait
  • 3 teachers are on-board

Cruise itinerary

29 May 2007 Departure Bremerhaven

21 June 2007 Arrival Tromsø

23 June  2007 Departure Tromsø

9 July 2007 Arrival Longyearbyen

10 July 2007 Departure Longyearbyen

25 July 2007 Arrival Tromsø