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6.10.2021 | Logbuch
For five weeks, WSL doctoral student Joël Rüthi travelled through the Arctic aboard a Russian icebreaker. His goal was to learn more about the microbes in the dry and cold soils on Arctic islands. He reports on unusual working hours, midnight sun and complicated logistics in the WSL logbook.
Joël visited seven Arctic islands during his journey with the Arctic Century Expedition - some barren and red like Mars, others dappled with colourful lichens, grasses and mosses. Such an expedition consists of long working days on land and on board, spiced up with breathtaking views of ice worlds, lectures and convivial aperitifs with the other researchers. And as an extra, probably the most northerly sauna in the world.
The Akademik Tryoshnikov is anchored at Cape Baranov, Bolshevik Island, bringing supplies to the Russian research station. Photo: Fabian Fopp.
A curious polar bear walks near the ship on the pack ice off Severnaya Zemlya. Photo: Fabian Fopp.
A helicopter brings scientists to Wiese Island. Photo: Joël Rüthi
View from the laboratory deck of the ship after work is done at 2am local time. Photo: Joël Rüthi.
Lichen diversity on Pioneer Island, Severnaya Zemlya. Photo: Joël Rüthi
View of the landscape in the centre of October Revolution Island, Severnaya Zemlya, as seen from the helicopter. Photo: Gabriela Schaepman-Strub.
The first snow on the coast of October Revolution Island heralds the end of summer at the end of August. Photo: Fabian Fopp.
The Akademik Tryoshnikov is on its way back to Murmansk. As during the whole expedition, the weather is changing constantly. Photo: Joël Rüthi.