Turkey's 22-day Arctic expedition team returns with samples

Turkish scientists on Tuesday completed a 22-day expedition in the Arctic Ocean, breaking ground on new projects and collecting reams of data along the way.

On July 4, a boatful of nine scientists set sail on the Arctic Ocean with a PolarXplorer research vessel under the coordination of the MAM Polar Research Institute, part of the Scientific and Technological Research Institution of Türkiye (TÜBITAK).

The researchers collected zooplankton, and phytoplankton sampling at 24 different sampling points in the Barents Sea, determination of pollutants in the sea, monitoring of seawater physical parameters, microplastics.

During the 22-day expedition, the researchers also studied marine animals and the impact of climate change on their habitat.

The research included mapping the effects of ship trade routes on the environment, observing sea ice and monitoring sea animals.

The team of researchers worked on 14 different projects at two dozen sampling points. Seen here is a migratory bird in the Arctic region.

The impact of climate change has most impacted the wildlife in the Arctic, off-balancing the food chain.

The research included mapping the effects of ship trade routes on the environment, observing sea ice and monitoring sea animals.

Arctic birds flying over the floating blobs of melting ice in the sea

The research included mapping the effects of ship trade routes on the environment, observing sea ice and monitoring sea animals.