Glaciers that terminate where there is water, such as fjords or open coastal waters, lose mass through so-called frontal ablation, which is the common name for the processes of iceberg calving and melt below the water surface. During the recent expedition with the icebreaker Oden to the Ryder Glacier in northern Greenland, researchers investigated frontal ablation with the help of time-lapse photography and LoTUS buoys.
The rising temperature in recent years in the Arctic is causing sea ice and glaciers to melt at an ever-faster rate. The melting of the ice sheet in Greenland increases the inflow of meltwater into Greenland’s fjords and coastal water, with physical and geochemical effects on the fjord systems. This can lead to increased acidification of the Arctic Ocean, which can have a negative impact on the ecosystem and the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
Christian Stranne is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Geological Sciences, Stockholm University. He was one of the scientists on the Ryder 2019 Expedition to northern Greenland with the icebreaker Oden between August 5 and September 12. The purpose was to study the local environment where the Ryder Glacier meets the ocean and to learn more about outlet glaciers and how they can influence sea levels in a changing climate.
The Access Abisko research program is now up and running and the theme of the first period is global change and sustainability. The initiative means that researchers from all over the world can apply to come to Abisko Scientific Research Station to conduct research within a theme for three years. The purpose is to promote collaboration between research groups.
