Digging for clues about the North Pole’s past
Scientists collected sediment cores from the Arctic seafloor to understand the region's past and predict its future. The research aims to determine if the Arctic was ice-free in recent history and how its loss affects the ecosystem and global climate.
Scientists from Norway and Germany conducted a five-week expedition to the central Arctic to collect sediment cores up to 22 meters long. The cores will help researchers understand the region's climate history and predict its future. The team used various methods to date the sediments, which may be up to 2 million years old. The presence or absence of certain molecules will indicate past sea ice coverage. The research will improve climate projections for an ice-free 'blue Arctic' and its effects on marine life and global climate. The study is part of a €12.5 million project financed by the European Union.
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