Icebergs hundreds of metres long (top), Arctic Sea Ice Camp research (bottom) (Image courtesy of the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI))
SEOUL, Oct. 12 (Korea Bizwire) – The Araon, South Korea’s lone icebreaking research vessel, has returned from a 78-day Arctic expedition with compelling evidence of climate change’s impact on the region.
The ship docked at Gwangyang Port on September 30, concluding a journey that revealed diminishing sea ice and the surprising presence of squid in northern waters.
In a significant find, researchers aboard the Araon collected squid larvae at 77 degrees north latitude, an area where such species have not been previously observed.
Yang Eun-jin, leading the research team from the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), noted that this discovery, coupled with last year’s catch of snow crabs in the area, indicates a northward migration of marine life typically found in warmer waters.
Squid (left) and squid larvae observed by a deep-sea camera at 77 degrees north latitude. (Image courtesy of the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI))
“We’re witnessing a gradual influx of non-Arctic marine species into the polar region,” a KOPRI spokesperson explained. “This shift in biodiversity is a clear indicator of warming ocean temperatures.”
The expedition also encountered an unusually large iceberg measuring 350 meters by 110 meters at 74 degrees north latitude. Scientists believe the iceberg likely calved from glaciers in Canada or Greenland before drifting into the Pacific sector of the Arctic Ocean, where icebergs of this scale are rare.
Researchers expressed concern that as such icebergs melt, they could significantly alter the salinity of surrounding waters, potentially disrupting local ecosystems.
This year’s voyage noted a marked reduction in sea ice coverage compared to historical averages. In a telling sign of changing conditions, the Araon successfully retrieved all of its monitoring equipment left from previous expeditions. In past years, sea ice often damaged or prevented access to these instruments.
“The appearance of large icebergs, the reduction of sea ice, and the presence of non-Arctic marine life all point to the effects of global warming,” KOPRI stated.
Shin Hyoung-chul, director of KOPRI, reflected on the expedition’s findings: “In its 14 Arctic voyages since 2009, the Araon has never before witnessed such dramatic changes in the Arctic Ocean.”
He emphasized the institute’s commitment to analyzing the collected data to better understand climate change impacts and improve South Korea’s climate response capabilities.
The Araon is scheduled to undergo a month of maintenance before embarking on its next mission to Antarctica in late October.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
