Russian scientists are going to study the permafrost of the Arctic

Specialists of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) during the work on the Svalbard Archipelago began preparations for monitoring of permafrost, writes the portal the Arctic.

The specialists have completed the spring cycle of work on the Spitsbergen archipelago. For three weeks, scientists have examined 16 geographical objects and began preparations for the deployment of a large-scale system of monitoring of permafrost.

"In the Grøndalen valley, the expedition participants drilled a 25.5 meter deep well to monitor permafrost. AARI scientists are currently conducting a full geological description of the raised core and preparing soil samples for laboratory analysis. A thermometric braid has been installed in the well and the data will be transmitted via a satellite channel for remote monitoring of the permafrost", - the press service of the institute says.

According to AARI Director Alexander Makarov, the implementation of the project was an important component of the seasonal stage of the expedition. The equipped monitoring station made it possible to practice technologies, which will later be used to create a comprehensive system for observing the state of permafrost in Russia.

"As part of this project, it is initially planned to build 140 permafrost monitoring stations. The sensors will be installed near meteorological stations of Roshydromet, which will significantly reduce costs," Makarov said.

Russian Arctic scientific expedition on Spitsbergen archipelago carries out year-round and seasonal scientific research and observations in its basing area. Work program includes studies of glaciers, distribution and dynamics of permafrost, oceanographic processes in areas of Spitsbergen fjords, monitoring of hydrological regimes of rivers and lakes, geophysical and special meteorological studies. Scheduled tasks are carried out by wintering team of polar explorers and participants of the annual seasonal expedition. In total, over 50 scientists work at the station every year.


Photo: RIA Novosti. V. Chistyakov