Research in the central Arctic Ocean

A central goal of the expedition is to support Canada’s work within the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) through geophysical and geological surveys of the Alpha Ridge, the Mendeleev Ridge, and the Lomonosov Ridge. Researchers will collect bathymetric and geological data to improve understanding of the structure of the seabed and the extent of the continental shelf in the Arctic.

During the expedition, continuous measurements of the seabed, sea ice, ocean currents, weather, and aerosols will be conducted. Researchers will work both on board the ship and out on the ice, using helicopters, drones, buoys, and advanced sensor systems. The goal is to increase understanding of the interactions among the sea, ice, and atmosphere in an Arctic that is rapidly changing due to climate change. Research data from the expedition will be made openly available through Swedish and international databases.

The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat is carrying out the expedition together with the Geological Survey of Canada within Canada’s UNCLOS program. In addition to Swedish and Canadian researchers, researchers from Denmark and Greenland are participating, and Inuit observers with knowledge of marine mammals will be on board the Canadian ship.

Early Career Researcher Program

The Early Career Researcher (ECR) Program – the graduate school – brings together PhD students and early-career researchers from Swedish and Canadian universities and focuses on the central Arctic climate system. The program combines lectures, seminars and practical fieldwork, giving participants the opportunity to work alongside senior scientists across six scientific work packages (WPs), including marine geology, oceanography, meteorology, sea ice research and marine biogeochemistry.

Participants contribute to observations and data collection both on board Oden and on the sea ice, gaining hands-on experience with advanced research methods and instruments. The program is coordinated by Hanna Farnelid at Linnaeus University.

Education, art and outreach

The expedition also includes a teacher and an artist programme designed to connect research with schools and the wider public.

A teacher will participate in the expedition to strengthen connections between Arctic research and upper secondary education. By following the work of the research teams on board, the teacher aims to create opportunities for students to work with expedition data, explore research questions suitable for upper secondary school projects, and gain first-hand insights into polar research and climate science.

A writer will join the expedition as part of the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat’s Artist Program. Through literary and documentary work, the programme aims to communicate experiences from the Arctic and offer new perspectives on science, nature and society.

Work packages

Here is an overview of the expedition’s eight work packages (WPs), which together contribute new knowledge about climate, oceans, ice, and ecosystems in one of the most vulnerable regions on Earth.

WP1 – Marine geology

This work package focuses on marine sediments and the history of the seabed. Researchers collect sediment cores from the seafloor to investigate past climate conditions, sea-ice development, and geological processes in the Arctic. The work includes piston and gravity coring, multicorer sampling, plankton net sampling, and extensive analyses of the physical and chemical properties of the sediments. The data are used for paleoclimate studies and reconstructions of the Arctic Ocean’s development.

WP2 – Geophysical mapping

This work package is responsible for the continuous mapping of the seafloor and the upper sediment layers. Using Oden’s multibeam echosounder, sub-bottom profiler, ADCP and EK80 systems, the team produces detailed bathymetric maps and acoustic profiles. The mapping supports the geological and oceanographic objectives of the expedition and provides essential information for other research activities on board, such as sediment sampling.

WP3 – Meteorology and aerosols

The meteorology team studies the Arctic atmosphere and the interactions between the atmosphere, clouds, aerosols and sea ice. Instruments on board measure radiation, turbulence, clouds, precipitation and aerosol particles. Weather balloons are launched four times per day to investigate the vertical structure of the atmosphere. The work contributes to a better understanding of the Arctic energy balance and supports the development of improved climate and weather models.

WP4 – Sea ice properties

This work package investigates the properties and dynamics of sea ice. Researchers place drifting buoys on ice floes to track movements, deformation, and temperature changes in the ice over time. At ice stations, measurements are made of ice thickness, snow depth, salinity, and melting processes. Drones and helicopters are used to map cracks, meltwater, and ice formations. The aim is to improve understanding of sea-ice changes and validate satellite observations.

WP5 – Oceanography and marine chemistry

This work package focuses on ocean circulation, water masses and the chemical properties of the Arctic Ocean. Using CTD profiles, ADCP measurements and microstructure profilers, researchers investigate temperature, salinity, currents, turbulence and mixing processes. The team also studies underwater noise generated by icebreaking, double-diffusive processes and organic matter in seawater. The results contribute to a better understanding of how heat and substances are transported within the Arctic marine system.

WP6 – Primary productivity and biogeochemistry

This work package studies biological production and biogeochemical processes in the ocean and sea ice. Researchers analyse phytoplankton, bacteria, nutrients, chlorophyll, and carbon cycles in both open water and ice environments. Experiments are carried out on board to investigate primary production and biological processes under different conditions. The work also includes DNA- and RNA-based analyses of microorganisms and contributes to knowledge about the Arctic marine ecosystem and the climate-related carbon balance.

WP7 – Artist program

The Artist Program aims to portray the expedition and the Arctic from an artistic and humanistic perspective. Through literary and documentary expressions, the work package will contribute to communicating research, the Arctic environment, and humanity’s relationship with the unknown to a broader audience, while creating new narratives and perspectives on the Arctic and polar research.

WP8 – Teacher program

The teacher program aims to create educational material and strengthen the connection between polar research and schools. Through documentation and educational activities, the expedition’s research will be made accessible to students and teachers.