The 4th National Arctic Scientific Research Expedition (TASE IV) was carried out aboard the Norwegian-flagged scientific research vessel PolarXplorer, which sailed from Tromsø, Norway, first to Svalbard and then deep into the Arctic Ocean. During the expedition, samples were collected from 54 different stations along the route. Bulgarian and Chilean researchers were also hosted on TASE IV.
Changes in the Arctic are having an impact on marine biodiversity. Phytoplankton, which form the basis of the marine food web, are highly sensitive to these changes and can have large-scale impacts on the ecosystem. Similarly, the melting of glaciers and sea ice not only affects the species that depend on these habitats, but also global climate patterns, sea level rise, ocean circulation and its interaction with the atmosphere.
The existing collaboration between the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) and the TÜBİTAK MAM Polar Research Institute has provided María José Nariño, a researcher at the Center for Dynamic Research on High Latitude Marine Ecosystems (IDEAL), with a great opportunity to conduct scientific studies in the Arctic Ocean. Nariño participated as a visiting researcher in the 4th National Arctic Scientific Research Expedition in the northern hemisphere in the summer of 2024 to study the diversity, abundance and ecology of phytoplankton responding to environmental conditions caused by climate change.
This first collaboration in the Arctic with polar researchers from Chile and Turkey opens the door for future comparative studies at both ends of the planet.
During the mission, Nariño collected samples using phytoplankton nets and advanced filtering techniques. This research contributes to the analysis of genetic diversity and the detection of toxins found in Arctic waters. "The most important field part of my work was being able to take water samples from the shallow depths of the Arctic Ocean. We also did vertical trawls with a phytoplankton net. We stored all these samples in bottles so that we could use them for laboratory analysis, which is the next phase of our project."
Nariño emphasized the following about his experience: "I had the opportunity to learn a lot in TASE IV. I shared with all the researchers during the expedition. It was a very enriching experience, given that we supported each other during the fieldwork."
"The Arctic Ocean is a sensitive indicator of global changes, especially in Europe. This region is home to unique ecosystems and high biodiversity and is threatened by rapid warming compared to other parts of the world, such as Antarctica." Iriarte emphasized that the results of this project will reveal how phytoplankton respond to climate changes in polar regions. "These changes are altering the composition and abundance of species in polar regions, where the dominance of small organisms is increasing. In addition, changes in the composition and abundance of phytoplankton will affect higher trophic levels and may result in the emergence of toxic or harmful species that affect both marine fauna and human health," he added.
The project focuses on identifying and quantifying phytoplankton toxins in surface waters, as well as analyzing the genetic diversity of phytoplankton using advanced filtering techniques.
TASE IV was organized under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Technology and under the coordination of TÜBİTAK MAM Polar Research Institute.
This pioneering cooperation between the two countries in the Arctic stems from the relationship that both countries have been pursuing in Antarctica for several years, which includes not only scientific and logistical aspects, but also educational aspects. This joint work represents a significant advance in polar research, bringing together efforts to protect the extremely vulnerable ecosystems of these regions and emphasizing the importance of continuing research in areas where the impacts of climate change are most evident and urgent.
In the following periods, our country's contribution to international science will continue to increase by strengthening cooperation between countries and inviting researchers from foreign countries to our National Polar Science Expeditions.
Source: https://www.inach.cl/colaboracion-entre-chile-y-turquia-permite-ampliar-…
