Field work on Rijpfjorden in April 2007

In 2007 we carried out an extensive seasonal study in Rijpfjorden on Nordaustlandet. It started around 1 February, when the Norwegian Coast Guard Icebreaker K/V Svalbard transported a lot of equipment needed for the field station to Rijpfjorden. By then, the fjord was about to freeze, and it was dark 24 hours a day. The first scientific campaign, involving a 2-week long stay, took place in the beginning of March, followed by further campaigns in April/May, June and July. For all these campaigns, participants were flown out by helicopter and stayed at the field camp between 1 and 2 weeks each time. Sampling was performed from the ice using snow scooters (from March until June), and by a little aluminium boat (Buster M) in July. In August, September and October data were collected on cruises with our research vessels R/V Jan Mayen (University of Tromsø) and R/V Lance (Norwegian Polar Institute).

Those who are interested in more details about these field campaigns can find a collection of pictures here, as well as a blog about the first stay in March here.