ICE – Ice, Climate and Ecosystems

ICE Ice rises

ICE Ice rises is a climate project studying the ice rises on the surface of the Antarctic ice shelves and along the edge of the ice. The goal is to determine if, and in that case how, these “islands” affect how fast the ice is moving toward the ocean, which in turn may influence the melting process and a potential rise in sea level. ICE Ice rises conducted its first field season in 2011/12. The second field season will be conducted in 2012/13.  Read more in the project blog.

ICE Ecosystems

The focus of ICE Ecosystems will be those organisms in the ecosystem that are obligate dependent on ice in some part of their life cycles and their effect and dependence upon other organisms. During the first five years of ICE Ecosystems, we will focus our research on ice fauna, zooplankton, polar cod, polar bears, ringed seals and ivory gulls.

ICE Fluxes

ICE Fluxes investigates the physical processes that control the behaviour of the Arctic sea ice. Over the past three decades, the Arctic sea ice cover has changed substantially with reductions in both extent and thickness. In ICE Fluxes, we focus on understanding processes from small to larger scales that govern energy and mass fluxes between the atmosphere, snow, sea ice, and ocean.

ICE Fimbul Ice Shelf

ICE Fimbul Ice Shelf is a research project investigating melting of ice shelves in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. From November 2009 to January 2010, the project conducted its first field season with an expedition to the Fimbul Ice Shelf. The second field season ended in January 2011. Read all about it in the expedition diary.