The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of December 31, 2018

NOAA Releases Yearly Arctic Report Card

NOAA has released its 2018 Arctic Report Card. In its key findings it determines that the Arctic has experienced the second warmest air temperatures since 1900, the second lowest overall wintertime maximum sea ice extent in 39 years, and record low winter ice in the Bering Sea. In addition, microplastic contamination is on the rise, and warming Arctic Ocean temperatures are coinciding with an expansion of harmful toxic algal blooms. The findings are based on the research of 81 scientists working for governments and academia in 12 nations, and are intended for a wide audience, including scientists, government officials, and the general public interested in the Arctic region (EarthSky, NOAA).

Take 1: The report confirms what has been clear to many people; the Arctic is undergoing drastic change. The findings reveal how bad things are getting. First, the continuous decline of Arctic sea ice threatens animals that depend on the ice for food, and the indigenous communities that rely on the ice to hunt. Second, the increased Arctic Ocean temperatures lead to an increase of harmful algal blooms that produce toxins that can poison birds, fish, other plankton, and humans. Third, microplastic is ingested by ocean wildlife, and accumulates up the food chain, even reaching humans. Ingested plastic can lead to the death, and potential extinction of many bird and marine species.

Fishing Ship Runs Aground Near Svalbard

On December 28, the fishing ship Northguider and its crew of 14 ran aground on Hinlopen Strait, which lies between Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet. The crew was able to call for helicopter support, and two helicopters from the Svalbard Governor’s Office arrived on site to pick the crew up. With challenging winds and temperatures at minus 20 °C, it was a difficult operation to conduct. While none of the crew was injured, the Northguider, with its 300,000 liters of diesel oil remains in the nature reserve of the Nordaustlandet. A coast guard ship is expected to arrive in a few days to assess the situation (Norwegian Rescue Services, Spitsbergen-Svalbard, The Barents Observer).

Take 2: While the situation in regard to the Northguider still remains unresolved, the hope is that the ship can be emptied of its contents soon. Still, the fact that a rescue was able to occur and that no one was seriously hurt is a testimony to the amount of work and training that emergency rescue services undergo to be ready for such situations. The seas around this area are violent and with the potential of increased vessel traffic in the future the risks for such accidents continue to happen and will only increase.  

Russia Plans Northern Military Exercise

Russia has announced that it plans to hold military exercises in its northern frontier in the areas between the Novaya Zemlya and New Siberian Islands from August to September 2019. The Tsentr 2019 seeks to test the battle capabilities of the country’s Arctic troops and will consist of forces from Russia’s Northern Fleet, Pacific Fleet and Central Military District. The exact size of the exercise has yet to be revealed, yet sources in Russia have stated that it will be among the year’s biggest (News.com.au).

Take 3: As the arctic becomes a critical shipping lane and a vital place to extract resources, it comes as no surprise that Russia continues to flex its muscle there. The country has invested heavily in troops, infrastructure, and weapons development for the area, and now seeks to test those capabilities. President Putin has made several trips to the area, stating that it is extremely important for Russia’s future. With a growing presence there, Western countries will do well not just by observing but investing in their own presence.

Russia’s Flights Over the Arctic Expected to Continue Thru 2019

This week, Russia announced that it plans to utilize their new and upgraded Arctic bases to continue to conduct military reconnaissance flights over the Arctic. These flights will be done by a series of aircrafts that comprise central parts of Russia’s air force reconnaissance fleet. Some of those aircrafts include but are not limited to the Tu-95 strategic bomber, the Il-38 patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, and the Su-24MR tactical reconnaissance aircraft. Besides training, the aircraft will be tasked with mapping ice conditions in the area. This data are vital for ships on the Northern Sea Route (The Barents Observer).

Take 4: Military reconnaissance flights over the Arctic are not new. In 2018 alone Russia conducted over 100 flights. What the increased training and flights indicate is that Russia’s Northern bases are now becoming more operational. The country has heavily invested in building its Arctic infrastructure and training its flight crews on how to fly over the area. Russia intends to make use of its new assets for both practical and force demonstration purposes.

Construction of Permanent Research Station Underway

Construction has now begun in St. Petersburg of the world’s first permanent research station based in high Arctic waters. The North Pole station will be 84-meter-long, 22,5 meter wide and weigh 10,390 tons. The station will also have and an engine that enables it to move through light ice with a 10 knots speed. The director of research for the new station has stated that the platform will be utilized for geological, acoustic, geophysical, as well as marine studies. The station will have a permanent crew of 14 while holding up to 34 researches. It is expected to be completed by 2020 (The Barents Observer).

Take 5: An estimated 70 percent of all data on Arctic territories are provided by Russia and this joint initiative between The Russian Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute and Roshydromet hopes to provide a wealth of knowledge, and perhaps better detail on the dramatic changes that are occurring in the region. A permanent presence allows scientist to monitor the region year round, observing how the various seasons affect the region.