Arctic Reflections is embarking on its third field test in the Baffin Bay area in Nunavut, Canada.
Our first field test was conducted in Svalbard, followed by one in Newfoundland. For this field test, we are grateful to be welcomed by the local Inuit community, and we are looking forward to collaborating with them and learning from their lived knowledge of the sea ice. Daily activities in the community depend on stable weather and reliable ice conditions, which are increasingly being disrupted as the ice thins. Although this is a research field test rather than a permanent installation, we aim to conduct it in a way that reflects local values, practices, and long-standing stewardship of the land and ice.
The purpose of this field test is to build on previous research by:
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Conducting a more extensive measurement campaign, which will include more elaborate measurements such as frequent drone flights during both the melting and the pumping phase, as well as measuring and monitoring the properties of thickened against reference ice;
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Testing the new and improved pumping platform we have developed;
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Collaborating with a broader group of scientists, including ecologists and sea ice experts who will join the expedition.
The test is scheduled to run from 2 February to 8 March, with follow-up measurements planned for the period until the summer, to assess the longevity of the ice and the results of our intervention. We will share the findings of our research openly and with due respect to the community. Once available, results will be published on our website, LinkedIn, and through our newsletter.
The intervention we are currently researching is certainly not a substitute for the urgent action needed to reduce emissions. Rather, it is intended to contribute to local adaptation and mitigation, while helping to cool the planet.