Polar Bear Sightings and Our Expedition’s End

Jessica Robertson, U.S. Geological Survey Public Affairs Specialist

On Monday I saw three more polar bears! First we saw two bears cuddled together on a piece of multi-year ice. As we passed by, they took a swim in the ocean. To come back to the surface after diving into the water, they had to break through a thin layer of sea ice. We saw some ice and water splash up, and then they appeared again. At one point, one of the bears was sliding across the thin ice, and accompanying this post are some pictures of them lying on and walking along the thin ice. About a half-hour later, we saw another polar bear strolling along the ice. He was farther away, and when he occasionally took a dip in the ocean, everyone would look around at each other trying to figure out where it went. This was an exciting sight, especially in the final days of our journey.

This chapter in our effort to map the Arctic seafloor has come to an end. Several of us are departing Healy today and heading back home. We are taking turns loading into the helicopter and heading back to the airport in Barrow, Alaska.

The past couple days have been spent cleaning and packing, but the hardest part has been saying goodbye. Spending a month at sea brings close friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. I am going to miss all of the friends I have made along the way, but I am sure we will keep in touch!

The U.S. Coast Guard has certainly made our journey on Healy pleasant. The collaboration between the U.S. and Canada in this endeavor has been very successful, enhancing the ability of both countries to collect data in this remote area. When we first saw Louis appear through the fog a few weeks ago, I will never forget the excitement that filled our ship as our joint expedition began. As we watched Louis sail away a couple of days ago, it was a bit lonely peering out and seeing only the endless sea ice and water again.

In the end, we are one large step closer to mapping the Arctic seafloor and understanding the underlying geology.

I want to thank and express my appreciation to those who helped me understand the research and operations onboard Healy, as well as everyone who contributed to making this site available.

If you have any questions about this expedition, please contact me at jrobertson (at) usgs.gov. Remember, I will no longer have access to my healy.polarscience.net account.

Don’t forget to check back for video footage too!

Jessica Robertson

How’s That Data Rolling In?

Jessica Robertson, U.S. Geological Survey Public Affairs Specialist

The other day I received an update on seismic data collection (used for mapping the sub-seafloor) from USGS geophysicist Jonathan Childs, chief scientist for Healy. I asked him about the quality of our incoming data, whether the systems have been working smoothly, and what the plans are after we depart Healy and Louis.

Before embarking, there were several objectives and expectations for this trip. We have exceeded expectations in terms of our ability to move through the sea ice and the reliability of our equipment. Both the U.S. and Canada have been extremely successful in collecting seismic data. We have had no down time on Healy and have been collecting data every moment our ship was moving. The Canadians were able to keep their instruments in the water for up to 72 hours at a time, which is a significant accomplishment given the surrounding ice-covered conditions.

Geographically, we have reached several points scheduled for data collection, but some areas were too heavily covered with sea ice, and we were not able to break through. For example, we hoped to get closer to Canadian islands, but unfortunately the sea ice was too thick. However, pre-cruise plans are always optimistic, so these minor obstacles were not disappointing. You can’t really predict the conditions you will face and how things will fare.

After a preliminary review of incoming seismic data, scientists onboard have observed several fascinating features beneath the seafloor. Once this expedition is complete, data will be formally analyzed and interpreted. Analysis will include further interpretation of sediments, sedimentary thicknesses, and how plates moved to form the basins and underwater seafloor elevations. Scientists will also assess where additional data are needed to help clarify these geologic interpretations.

In addition to the seismic data, the other research onboard has been very successful. In regards to water sampling to study microorganisms in the Arctic Ocean, positive results have already been achieved. The proportions of the organisms being studied (mixotrophs) are similar to those recently observed in the Antarctic. At this point, samples have been collected from several depths at nine different locations and we expect to gather at least one more sample in the last couple days of our journey.

Four open ocean drifting buoys, which move with the current, were deployed before our science crew’s time on Healy began. There are six more available for deployment as we move out of the ice pack and go southbound to Barrow, Alaska. These buoys, or drifters, provide location, air pressure and temperature, and water temperature. The buoy data are transmitted through the Argos satellite network and help us track and understand ocean circulation, atmospheric conditions, and the future production and distribution of sea ice. Drifting buoys like these will be increasingly used in the Arctic as open ocean areas expand. The buoys are being deployed as part of the International Arctic Buoy Programme by Pablo Clemente-Colón, Chief Scientist of the National Ice Center and an oceanographer with NOAA.

We are still collecting data, so all further progress will build on what has already proved to be a very successful cruise.

Until next time,

Jessica Robertson

Arctic Luau: A View from the Sky

Jessica Robertson, U.S. Geological Survey Public Affairs Specialist

Yesterday, Louis and Healy pulled up alongside each other, placed a brow (or gangway) between the ships as a walkway, and we had a luau-themed dinner together. All week long, everyone has been talking about the planned rendezvous, hoping weather conditions would permit. Thankfully they did, and we spent the afternoon mixing, mingling and, exploring the adjacent ships.

Before setting down the brow, it needed to be transported from the front of the ship to the back. None of the cranes onboard were able to swing it from one end to another, so it had to be transported across the ice. Once a piece of multiyear ice was spotted, Healy stopped alongside it. Two U.S. Coast Guard members were carried by a crane onto the ice, where they checked for stability before placing the brow on it. Once they confirmed the ice was a secure spot, the brow was lowered and set down. Healy moved forward slightly to align the brow with the back of the ship and the walkway was slowly raised up and placed onto the flight deck.

I was lucky enough to take a helicopter ride while Louis pulled up alongside Healy. The pilot was wonderful, asking us which direction we wanted him to fly to ensure we captured this cooperative effort. I gathered some amazing video footage, and I hope you all enjoy the pictures with this blog entry!

Our helicopter trip ended on Louis, where we watched both crews work collaboratively to bring the ships together and secure the brow as a walkway from one ship to another. The Canadian Coast Guard passed by us with trays and trays of food as we waited by the hangar to cross back over. Once everything was set, I walked over to Healy, put my video equipment away and returned to Louis. Besides my brief landing a few minutes earlier, this was my first time on the Canadian ship, and I was anxious to see their accommodations and meet the rest of their crew.

Food was carried over from Healy and the smell inside the hangar made my stomach growl. The spread included lobster, shrimp, scallops, steaks, tables of desserts, and even a dolphin-shaped ice sculpture. The festive luau theme inspired several people, some with Hawaiian shirts and flip flops, and others with grass skirts creatively made with rope. Several awards and words of appreciation were presented between and among the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard.

After dinner, USGS scientist Deborah Hutchinson gave me and several others a tour of Louis. Along the way, I finally met Canadian Geological Survey scientist Ruth Jackson, who is the chief scientist for Louis. As we were introduced, she welcomed me with a huge smile and was such a delight. Both she and Debbie excitedly showed us the incoming data and discussed what it may indicate as a representation of the seafloor and underlying geology.

As we walked through the Louis hallways during our tour, we passed several U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard members discussing the similarities and differences between ship operations—both eagerly listening and learning.

When an announcement was made for everyone to return to their ship, I could not believe it was already 10:00 p.m. In fact, I can’t believe we are in our final week of this journey. I have been having a wonderful time, and with each day, a new adventure.

From the Arctic,

Jessica Robertson

Frequently Asked Questions

Jessica Robertson, U.S. Geological Survey Public Affairs Specialist

There have been some frequently asked questions that I would like to address in today’s journal entry. These responses are from USGS scientist Jonathan Childs, chief scientist for Healy.

Disposal of waste and expendable equipment from Healy

Healy has a comprehensive recycling program onboard to avoid disposing into the ocean anything that might be environmentally harmful. Cans, bottles, batteries, cardboard, waste paper, printer paper, and especially all forms of plastic are collected and stored in deck containers for recycling or disposal on shore. Extensive precautionary measures are in place aboard Healy (and all U.S. Coast Guard vessels for that matter) to ensure that no petroleum products (oil, gas, diesel, etc.) whatsoever are ever discharged or spill into the ocean. Only biodegradable organic matter is disposed of while we are at sea.

We do use a small number of expendable scientific instruments that are designed to either sink immediately to the bottom of the ocean, or to sink after a set amount of time (usually a few hours). Unlike a great amount of material that is lost each year from commercial vessels (fishing boats or container ships for example), which may float in the ocean for years or wash ashore and contaminate beaches, these instruments are insignificant in quantity and size, and after sinking to the ocean floor are environmentally benign.

Effects of sound systems on marine wildlife

Extensive precautions are in place to prevent not only any physical harm to marine mammals, but to minimize even the possible affects our sound sources might have on the behavior of marine mammals. There is a team of three lookouts on the Louis whose sole duty is to watch for marine mammals. There are also two lookouts (or “observers”) on the Healy. Most of these observers are from the Canadian and Alaskan native communities, and they are experts at spotting and identifying marine life on the ice.

The ships have carefully designed procedures for starting up the acoustic sound sources. For example, the airguns are not started if a marine mammal has been observed anywhere in the vicinity of the ship for 30 minutes. The airgun array is not started all at once, but gradually “ramped up” to avoid the possibility that an animal we can’t see underwater will suddenly be affected by the sound at full strength. And, if any marine mammals are observed within 1 nautical mile (about 6,080 feet) of the ships, the system is turned off until the animal has left the area, or the ship has traveled out of the animal’s range. Similarly, the ships make every attempt to minimize disturbance to polar bears. We avoid approaching closer than 1 mile to any bears that we see. In numerous scientific studies, the various sound sources we use have never been shown to have any detrimental effect on fish.

I hope this clarifies some of your questions. Check back soon for updates on data collection and the final leg of our journey!

Until next time,

Jessica Robertson

Ice 101 and the Living Arctic

Jessica Robertson, U.S. Geological Survey Public Affairs Specialist

In addition to the work to define the continental shelf during this expedition, there are several projects underway, such as sea ice observations and analysis of organisms in the ocean.

I spent the other day chatting about sea ice observations with Pablo Clemente-Colón, Chief Scientist of the National Ice Center and an oceanographer with NOAA. Pablo told me that we have already lost a record amount of multi-year (older) ice in the Arctic compared to last year. In fact, well over 60 percent of the old ice pack has disappeared since the 1980s. We have never observed such an advanced state of ice deterioration of the old ice pack in this location. It appears, though, that an overall seasonal freezing trend is now setting up for this part of the Arctic. Through this journey, we have observed a combination of new, first-year and multi-year ice all in one pack. In some cases, we have even witnessed new ice form overtop of heavily melted multi-year ice flows, creating ice-type concentration conditions difficult to assess and typically not observed or reported.

During this expedition, Pablo routinely monitors the ice coverage visually and records what types of ice are dominantly present. These data are used to validate satellite remote sensing observations of ice coverage in the area. Sea ice data from remote sensing analysis are used by various customers, including the National Weather Service, the Navy (particularly for submarine Arctic crossings), and the U.S. Coast Guard for safety of navigation, life, and property at sea. Data can also be used for fisheries support and research, oceanographic and atmospheric models, and much more.

Sea ice can be roughly categorized into three general groups, which I briefly mentioned above. There is new ice and nilas, which is the thinnest sea ice; young and first-year ice, which can grow from four inches to four feet in one season; and old or multi-year ice, which has survived at least one melting season. As ice ages, its thickness and color tone change. Water usually appears as a dark color surface and new to first year would typically go from dark to grey to a grey-white color. The youngest of the old ice, second-year ice, is seen as a greenish-blue color, and older multi-year ice has a deeper blue tone. Color alterations are due to the presence or absence of salt and air bubbles in the ice. Newer ice has more salt, while older ice has more air bubbles. In the absence of salt, more sunlight is available to scatter around and reflect off the air bubbles, providing the brighter blue tone appearance of the multi-year ice.

Other scientists onboard Healy are studying microorganisms in the Arctic Ocean to better understand processes such as the food chain, carbon cycle, and nutrient cycle. Over the last several decades, it has been recognized that microorganisms are more active and abundant in this area than previously thought, therefore playing a key role in the above processes. Research is being conducted by Rebecca Gast with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Robert Sanders with Temple University. Becky and Bob are studying protists with a specific focus on the presence of mixotrophs, which are a type of algae that have not been studied much in this region. Mixotrophic algae eat bacteria as well as use sunlight for photosynthesis, potentially helping them thrive in the extreme polar environment.

To study these microorganisms, water samples are collected at various depths in the ocean. Samples are taken using a Conductivity Temperature Depth Profiler (CTD), which, as you can assume from the name, also measures conductivity and temperature as a function of water depth. I will discuss how we use that information for seafloor mapping in a later journal entry, but for now I will just focus on the water samples. Healy’s CTD has 24 bottles to collect water, each with an opening at the top and bottom (not all CTDs have this design). When it is placed in the ocean and reaches a desired depth, an electronic signal is sent from the ship that closes the bottles. They can be closed at various times and at different depths. After collection, the water is incubated with particles that the mixotrophs can eat, and the organisms are detected by microscopic analysis.

I also want to quickly point out my recent discovery of artwork on the ship’s aloft conn web camera. Many Healy crew members have been onboard intermittently for several years, so as you can imagine, they are always looking for means of entertainment. If you haven’t checked out the camera in awhile, take a glance through our slideshow of past images. You may find it amusing!

Until next time,

Jessica Robertson

Breaking Ice—Like A Hot Knife Through Butter

Jessica Robertson, U.S. Geological Survey Public Affairs Specialist

Over the past couple days, there have been several cancellations and delays in helicopter flights between ships due to surrounding fog and potential for ice to build up on the helicopter blades. Also, both Louis and Healy have had a couple moments caught in the ice, but both ships have been working together to keep things moving and data rolling in. While I am enjoying the company onboard, I don’t think anyone wants to be stuck in the Arctic Ocean!

For both ships to collect accurate data, we have been alternating positions with Louis in leading and breaking through the ice. Seismic data needs to be collected at a slow speed, but for the ship to break ice, it needs to move at a faster pace. Therefore it is beneficial for one ship to lead at a slightly faster pace when going through ice while the other ship follows at a slower speed to collect accurate data. In addition, both ships use sound systems and energy waves for data collection and the sound of ice breaking can interfere and alter the data. When Louis leads the path, that interference is reduced for Healy and vice versa. As I mentioned in a previous blog, Louis is using streamers and buoys that trail behind their ship to collect data, so using Healy’s guided path helps prevent them from getting caught in the ice.

Request for Activation of Deck Lights Audio description: As Louis and Healy pass each other one foggy afternoon, they discuss the weather conditions and request the activation of deck lights so they can have a clear visual of each other. This conversation is between Captain Frederick Sommer, who is the commanding officer of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy, and Captain Mark Rothwell, who is the commanding officer of Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. Saint Laurent.

When I first heard of an ice breaking ship, I thought they plowed through the ice by ramming straightforward into it. My assumption was wrong.

The ship’s weight and generated momentum are essential characteristics that make it an effective icebreaker. Healy generates a maximum of 30,000 horsepower with two shafts and Louis produces 27,000 horsepower with three shafts. The bows on both Healy and Louis are designed with an arch, much like a spoon, so they can ride up on top of the ice, pushing it down and out the sides of the ship. Both ships also have what is called an ice knife. This isn’t the type of knife you might immediately imagine. It is basically a projection of solid steel (or wedge) located below the bow that helps prevent the ship from riding too far up onto heavy ice and effectively beaching itself or having ice travel under the hull to the propellers.

Low friction inertia paint, which provides a slick surface, is used to coat the entire underwater portion of ice breaking ships up to a few feet above the waterline. This allows for a smoother transition through the ice, helps keep buildup such as seaweed off the ship, and allows the ship to use less energy and fuel. In addition, ice breaking ships are constructed with thicker hull plating and heavier “web” frames in the bow area. The distance between the frames is reduced in the bow and stern areas for added strength. There is also an ice horn, which is basically a block of steel under the stern and behind the rudders and is there to protect the rudder when the ship is backing up in ice.

Some differences do exist between Louis and Healy. For example, Healy has a bow wash system that draws water from under the ship and distributes it onto the ice through nozzles along the ship’s hull. As a result, the ice is flooded and it is easy for the ship to move forward. This is especially helpful when snow, which offers greater friction on the hull, is present. The water helps reduce the friction that would otherwise slow down the ship and its momentum.

Louis also has a unique feature known as a bubbler system. High pressure air is discharged through underwater nozzles, thus providing a lubricating film of water and air between the ice and the ship’s hull. Louis also has a water ballast heeling system. Water in the vessel’s port (left) and/or starboard (right) ballast tanks can be quickly transferred from tank to tank to make the ship rock and break free if it becomes stuck in the ice. It is used only occasionally, and, so far, not at all this trip.

More from the beautiful Arctic Ocean soon!

Jessica Robertson

Canada In … Daylight Out

Jessica Robertson, U.S. Geological Survey Public Affairs Specialist

The Louis is here and our joint expedition is underway! On Tuesday afternoon, everyone gathered outside to see them slowly appear through the fog. Our ship was filled with excitement as this was a change from the sight of endless sea ice.

Healy is cutting through the ice in front of Louis so they have a clear path to collect data. Louis has already been at sea since August 21, so I can only imagine their anticipation to see another ship in this remote area. As the flight crew prepared for the Canadian helicopter to join our ship, many waited on the flight deck anxious to see our visitors.

USGS scientist Deborah Hutchinson, Captain Marc Rothwell and Canadian Geological Survey scientist Ruth Jackson, also Louis chief scientist, were greeted with smiling faces and lots of handshakes as they arrived on Healy. They were quickly whisked away and briefly met with Captain Frederick Sommer, the rest of the Healy operations crew and USGS scientist Jonathan Childs, also Healy chief scientist, to discuss procedures from this point forward.

Currently we are traveling around 4 knots as Louis follows anywhere from 1 to 3 miles behind us. One knot is 1 nautical mile per hour and that is equal to approximately 1.15 miles per hour. We plan to have several more helicopter trips between ships during the joint expedition, and will hopefully have our internal network and phone systems linked together soon.

On a side note, I have been collecting video footage of our journey so far in collaboration with Michael Anderson, public affairs with the U.S. Coast Guard. When we aren’t shivering from the cold outside, we are running—well walking since running isn’t allowed—around the ship to make sure we don’t miss anything. At one point I was leaning over the bow capturing video, but don’t worry: Mike was right there for security. So that shows our dedication to document every aspect of this expedition!

Many of you have been asking me about the extent of daylight while we are here, so I thought I would mention it in my journal today. Last night the sun set at 11:33 p.m. MDT and rose this morning at 6:38 a.m. MDT. We are losing a little over 20 minutes of sunlight a day and starting September 21, the sun will be below the horizon longer than above.

Our science team is separated into two twelve hour monitoring shifts, and the extended periods of daylight have definitely altered their perception of time. One group monitors data from midnight to noon and the other group is on duty from noon to midnight. After some sound sleep—well, with interruptions from the ice breaking—I usually go to the computer room to visit the night crew toward the end of their shift and I can tell they have a little ways to go before they completely adjust.

If you want to follow our journey in near real time, you can view the ship’s aloft camera. It is updated every hour and can be found at http://mgds.ldeo.columbia.edu/healy/photos/aloftcon/2008/. You can also view a slideshow of the images at anytime from the menu on the right.

There is still a lot to write about, including ongoing sea ice observations, updates on data collection, life onboard Healy, and more! So, don’t forget to check back for later posts!

Until next time,

Jessica Robertson

Breaking Ice and Mapping New Ground

Jessica Robertson, U.S. Geological Survey Public Affairs Specialist

I had to catch my balance when climbing down my bunk ladder yesterday morning as our ship was swaying back and forth due to the wind and ocean waves. I peeked out my window to see what was going on and there was my first glimpse of bright blue sea ice. As the day progressed, we traveled through thicker ice, bringing colder weather and a bit more shaking. This made my run on the treadmill quite the adventure, but I was up for the challenge!

I ventured toward the labs yesterday afternoon and sat with some of our science team asking them for a rundown of each of the data collection systems. I was informed by USGS scientist Bill Danforth, who was on watch duty during my inquiring state, that we are using three major systems to collect data. So, here’s an overview of what I learned.

To map the seafloor, scientists are using the multibeam echo sounder. Some of you may be wondering, as I was too, what that means exactly. This system emits a sound pulse or “ping” into the water beneath the ship and onto the seafloor. That signal bounces off the seafloor and transmits an energy wave back, providing data on the seafloor depth. The deeper we are, the longer it takes for the signal to reach the floor and come back. Unlike other “single beam” echo sounders, the multibeam system’s sound pulse is received back at the system as a series of “beams” that are translated into depth data points across a wide but narrow swath of the ocean floor.  This allows scientists to collect anywhere from 61 to 121 depth points at a time along a narrow line perpendicular to the ship’s direction of travel for each ping. This process repeats every 10 seconds in the depths we are working in (3500 – 4000 meters), and the result is compiled into a map that shows the depths of the ocean floor along the ship’s track in a swath up to 8 kilometers wide in some areas.

Another system is the sub-bottom seismic reflection profiler, which essentially measures the geologic structure of the sub-seafloor. To do this, a sound pulse is transmitted that penetrates through the seafloor. A strong return, or “reflector”, shows up as a black line in the data profile, and indicates a change in composition of the material beneath the seafloor as the sound travels through the sediment layers.  Many of these reflectors can be present; the orientation of these reflectors to each other help the scientists to interpret the geologic history of the area are studying.

So, what do these pulses sound like? There are two sounds that can be heard by the human ear. The multibeam sends out a soft ping (12 kilohertz) and the sub-bottom profiler emits a chirp sound (3.5 kilohertz).  While I can hear both these sounds faintly throughout the ship-whether in my room, the science lounge or the mess hall-some people can’t hear the ping at all.

My roommate USGS scientist Ellyn Montgomery and I stood in our room for awhile as she closed her eyes attempting to hear the sound. She was not successful, but I am sure she will keep trying!

The third thing we are measuring is the surrounding gravitational field using an instrument called a “gravimeter”. To us, the gravity field of the earth feels constant, but the composition, structure, and density of subsurface materials affect the gravitational field of the earth very subtly. When a change in the gravity field is detected by the instrument, it suggests a change in the geologic subsurface beneath us and provides insight on the type of rock and structure of the seafloor that may be present.  A higher density material, such as volcanic lava or basalt, will have a higher gravitational force than a lower density material such as sedimentary rocks like shale or limestone. The gravitational field can also impact the ocean’s surface level. For example, a stronger gravity field will lower the water surface slightly, like a dimple on the sea.

So that’s the brief rundown. Thanks to everyone for your kind emails and messages on the blog site! I look forward to hearing more of your comments and updates of life back on land.

More from the Arctic coming soon!

Jessica Robertson

And We’re Off!

Jessica Robertson, U.S. Geological Survey Public Affairs Specialist

The deployment of Healy is now officially underway! As I write, we are headed north and expect to be in the ice tomorrow.

Most of our science team spent the night at the Barrow Arctic Science Consortium Thursday and woke up bright and early the next morning to head to the hangar. We were picked up from our huts and piled our bags in the van, said farewell to Barrow, and anxiously waited our turn to board the helicopter and arrive on Healy.

The fog almost left half of us behind to board the next day, but thankfully it let up. As this was my first time in a helicopter, I was a little scared beforehand. I sat in the front seat next to the pilot and I have to admit the ride was a lot smoother than I expected.

As the view of Barrow drifted away and the sight of our boat slowly approached, it finally sank in that the journey was about to begin. We spent the night at sea, and three more people arrived in Barrow and boarded the ship today.

The U.S. Coast Guard has been welcoming in every way. We ran through man overboard drills this afternoon and were briefed on the protocols of the ship. Our science team met throughout the day to discuss the science plan, schedules for monitoring stations and expectations. There have been several introductions, lots of card games, and we are ready to start collecting data.

If you want to send me a question or comment, you can email me at jessica.robertson (at) healy.polarscience.net. That address will only work while I am on Healy though.

Until next time

Jessica

• About the Blog

  The 2009 U.S.-Canada Arctic Continental Shelf Survey is underway from August 7 - September 16. Blog posts from sea are authored by the various agencies collaborating during the expedition. More information on the U.S. Extended Continental Shelf Project can be found at continentalshelf.gov.

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