Polar Bear Sightings and Our Expedition’s End

Polar bears watching our ship sail by.

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 entire science group and U.S. Coast Guard crew during our expedition on Healy.

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.

USGS scientist Jonathan Childs, also chief scientist on Healy, reviews incoming seismic data.

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.

Sun peering out onto the Arctic sea ice.

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

Two U.S. Coast Guard members being transported by crane onto a piece of multi-year ice, where they checked for stability before placing the brow on it. The brow served as a walkway between the ships, but needed to be transported from the front of Healy to the back.

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.

View of Healy and Louis alongside each other.

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.

USGS scientist Jonathan Childs and NOAA oceanographer Pablo Clemente-Colón, also Chief Scientist of the National Ice Center.

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.

A piece of multi-year ice surfacing on its side after we break through. You can tell it is older ice as the color is a bright blue underneath. There is also a dusting of snow on the top.

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.

Setting the CTD's bottles open before deployment.

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

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• 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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