Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)

UDC 378.147

ARCTIC FLOATING UNIVERSITY - 2013

Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov State University is actively introducing new methods of training young creative specialists to meet the needs of the modern labor market. One of the promising areas of study is scientific research expeditions of scientists with the participation of students. In 2012, with the support of the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring and the Russian Geographical Society, the university launched a new innovative project "Arctic Floating University", which organically combines educational courses and research work of students, undergraduates and graduate students.

The goal of the Arctic Floating University - 2013 project is to integrate innovative educational programs of higher professional education and fundamental and applied interdisciplinary scientific research during Arctic expeditions aboard the Professor Molchanov research vessel to train highly qualified specialists.

The unique capabilities of the Arctic Floating University project were reflected in the development of the expedition's educational program. Its total labor intensity in 2013 is 3 credit units, 108 hours.

The educational program is interdisciplinary in nature. Students listen to a theoretical course of lectures on the basics of oceanology, meteorology, geography, geoecology, physics, chemistry, biology in order to master a complex of knowledge about the basic laws

© Byzova N.M., 2014

on the spatio-temporal organization of marine and terrestrial arctic and subarctic natural complexes of local and regional levels. Future specialists get acquainted with the methods of oceanological, meteorological, geographical, biological, geoecological and physical, chemical research and data processing. In addition to theoretical knowledge, they acquire practical skills and abilities, which include collection, processing and analysis of samples of water, air, rocks, soil and plants, visual observation of natural objects and processes, their photography and filming.

In 2013, the geography of the routes and the number of participants in the Arctic Floating University project expanded significantly. Two expeditions were carried out aboard the R / V Professor Molchanov. Along with representatives of the Institute of Natural Sciences and Biomedicine and the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Chemistry, who participated in the 2012 expedition, young researchers from the Institute of Oil and Gas, the Institute of Shipbuilding and Marine Arctic Engineering and the Institute of Pedagogy and Psychology of NArFU named after M.V. Lomonosov. Students of the Faculty of Geography of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Russian State Hydrometeorological University, State Oceanographic Institute, Faculty of Geography and Geoecology, St. Petersburg State University.

The training and education of young researchers was carried out by the teachers of NArFU

named after M.V. Lomonosov, researchers of the Institute of Environmental Problems of the North of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, State Oceanographic Institute named after

N.N. Zubov, All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography, Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, employees of the Northern and Murmansk Directorates for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring.

During the first voyage in June 2013, along with the continuation of scientific research in the White and Barents Seas, comprehensive work was carried out in the Greenland Sea and on Spitsbergen. In the White, Barents and Greenland Seas, comprehensive studies were carried out on 10 secular and standard oceanographic sections, where more than 2 thousand samples were taken at 86 oceanographic stations for electrochemical, X-ray fluorescence and chromatographic studies of seawater. More than 5.5 thousand measurements of biogenic elements, dissolved oxygen, pH and ionic composition in water were carried out, which made it possible to continue studying the current state of the hydrochemical structure and the level of pollution of the Arctic seas environment and the impact on them of processes associated with global climatic changes.

In Svalbard, seismological studies were continued with measurements of the level of microseismic background in the villages of Barentsburg, Ny-Ålesund and the city of Longyearbyen. Within the framework of glaciological studies, work on the geocryological and geomorphological description of the relief was carried out here. In order to obtain information about horizontal and vertical inhomogeneities of the relief and types of deposits, georadar studies of subsurface bedding of rocks to a depth of 35 m were carried out with the construction of 72 geo-radar profiles.

To obtain new data on species diversity, biomass reserves, the number of various groups of producer organisms within the sea area, in the coastal zone and on key areas of the Arctic islands, a geobotanical description of plant communities was performed, and samples of brown algae, mosses and lichens were taken.

The first flight in 2013 had international status. During their visit to Spitsbergen, the members of the expedition became participants in a meeting with a Russian-Norwegian delegation dedicated to the development of the Russian Scientific Center in Barentsburg. The expeditionary team visited the University Center of Svalbard (UNIS), the Kings Bay ASA Marine Laboratory and the Sverdrup Station of the Norwegian Polar Institute in Ny-Ålesund. A reciprocal reception of the UNIS delegation was organized on the R / V Professor Molchanov. The representative of the Norwegian Polar Institute made a proposal for cooperation in the framework of the Arctic Floating University project in 2014.

During the second voyage in July 2013, members of the Arctic Floating University expedition covered 5900 km across the waters of the White, Barents and Kara Seas. On their way to Rudolph Island, the northernmost island point of Eurasia, they first reached coordinates 81 ° 15 "N and 64 ° 40" E. The further path to the north was blocked by accumulations of icebergs. On the way to Vize Island, the expedition passed in the Kara Sea to the extreme northeastern point of the route with coordinates 79 ° 34 "N and 76 ° 55" E. e. This is the first time such large-scale comprehensive studies of the Arctic territories have been carried out.

The main research tasks of the second voyage were aimed at obtaining comprehensive oceanological information on the state of the natural systems of the White, Barents and Kara Seas and their influence on the formation of climatic changes in the northern polar regions. Made from-

measurements at 80 oceanographic stations of 7 oceanographic sections, where the vertical distribution of temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen in water was determined. The total amount of received data exceeds 360 thousand values.

On the basis of more than 40 thousand measurements of air temperature and relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, and short-wave solar radiation flux, climatic changes in the northern polar regions were analyzed. The results of measuring the total ozone in the atmosphere in 2013 showed an increase in the concentration of ozone in the atmosphere compared to the same period in 2012.

When studying the hydro-optical characteristics of surface waters, data were obtained on the propagation of photosynthetically active radiation in the euphotic layer of the Barents and Kara Seas. The study of the features of the spatial and vertical distribution of the abundance and biomass of phytoplankton in water masses was carried out on 4 oceanographic sections.

In the Barents Sea and the northern part of the Kara Sea, seawater samples were taken from various depths at 69 stations of 6 oceanographic sections to determine the content of silicon, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium and total nitrogen, mineral and total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, organic carbon, carbohydrates, pH , total alkalinity, content of sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium cations.

In order to determine the electrophysical properties of water and ice, a survey of snowfields, fast ice and cover ice, sea and melt water on the Kanin and Yugorsky peninsulas, Kolguev, Vaigach, Hayes, Champ, Hooker islands, Sedov glacier, the coast of the Russkaya Gavan, Ice Gavan bays and the Cape was carried out Desires of the Northern Island of Novaya Zemlya.

Using materials provided by the Arctic Space Monitoring Center

NArFU named after M.V. Lomonosov, members of the expedition since 2012, carry out remote observations in the Arctic to simulate processes and phenomena in the open ocean and the coastal zone of the seas. In July 2013, employees of the radio engineering monitoring center at Cape Zhelaniya on the Severny Island of Novaya Zemlya carried out work on the installation and commissioning of an alternative environmentally friendly power plant from a wind generator and a complex of solar batteries.

The study of the main coastal processes and monuments of the marine geographical heritage on the Kolguev, Vaigach, Hayes, Champ, Hooker islands, the Kanin and Yugorsky peninsulas, on the coast of the Russkaya Gavan and Ice Gavan bays, Cape Zhelaniya on the Northern Island of Novaya Zemlya was continued. To determine the age of wooden structures by the dendrochronological method on the Vaigach and Hooker Islands, the coast of the Ice Harbor Bay and Cape Zhelaniya, wood samples (cores) were taken. Floating chronologies were obtained for all the structures under study based on the measurements of tree rings. Dendrochronological analysis made it possible to determine the age of wood in key areas and to clarify the construction time of the facilities.

Expansion of the geography of the route of the second voyage of the expedition made it possible to track changes in the composition and structure of plant communities along the latitudinal gradient from the southern tundra to the Arctic deserts. Observations of the phenological state of the species included in them were organized. A geobotanical description of 27 different plant communities was carried out on the Kanin and Yugorsky peninsulas, the Kolguev, Vaigach, Hooker, Hayes, Champa islands, on the coast of the Russkaya Gavan, Ice Gavan and Zhelaniya Cape. 12 test plots were established to account for aboveground phytomass and 206 test plots (50 x x 50 cm) in communities of different types to account for species diversity per unit area. Collected herbarium material in the amount of 350 sheets of 124 species of vascular plants and

200 samples of mosses and lichens. 15 soil sections and chemical analysis of soil samples were made for 35 horizons.

The collected materials make it possible to better understand the adaptive strategies of plant development associated with reproductive processes, which is very important for predicting changes in the state of ecosystems under conditions of a changing climate and various anthropogenic impacts. Until now, such observations in the Arctic region have not been carried out, and their organization was made possible by the high mobility of the R / V Professor Molchanov and the planned route of the expedition "Arctic Floating University - 2013".

For the first time, the expedition program of 2013 included studies on the adaptation of the organism of the expedition participants to the extreme conditions of the Arctic. Despite the unusual conditions of life, the level of scientists' work capacity throughout the expedition was above average.

The study of the features of the operation of a ship power plant is also a new direction in the scientific program of the secondary

rogo voyage of the expedition. According to the results of noise and vibration measurements on the R / V "Professor Molchanov", it was found that in the working and living quarters of the vessel they do not exceed the permissible values \u200b\u200bcorresponding to sanitary standards, and the ship's power plant operated stably in all modes of the ship's course.

The new scientific and educational program of the Arctic Floating University project provided for weekly reports in the form of scientific sessions, at which young researchers summed up the interim results of their research. Summing up the results of the expedition took place on September 20, 2013 at a scientific conference of students, undergraduates and graduate students, where reports were presented on the results of the work carried out. Conference materials have been published.

The Arctic Floating University project worthily continues the traditions of the Russian scientific school in conducting systematic and systematic scientific research in the European North and the Arctic and higher professional education in Russia.

List of references

1. Bogolitsyn K.G., Polikind.D.Yu., Byzova N.M. Work program and route of the 1st voyage of the expedition "Arctic Floating University - 2013" on the R / V "Professor Molchanov" in the research direction // Complex scientific and educational expedition "Arctic Floating University - 2013": 2 hours / hole. ed. K.G. Bogolitsyn; North. (Arctic) Feder. un-t. Arkhangelsk, 2013. Part I. S. 7-15.

2. Bogolitsyn K.G., Polikin D.Yu., Byzova N.M. Work program and route of the 2nd voyage of the expedition "Arctic Floating University - 2013" on the R / V "Professor Molchanov" in the research direction // Complex scientific and educational expedition "Arctic Floating University - 2013": 2 hours / hole. ed. K.G. Bogolitsyn; North. (Arctic) Feder. un-t. Arkhangelsk, 2013. Part I. S. 16-26.

3. Byzova N.M. Arctic Floating University as an Innovative Educational Program // Rational Nature Management: Traditions and Innovations: Proceedings of the Intern. scientific-practical conf. Moscow, Moscow State University, 23-24 nov. 2012 / under total. ed. prof. M.V. Slipenchuk. M., 2013.S. 32-34.

4. Complex scientific and educational expedition "Arctic floating university 2013": materials of scientific. conf. students, undergraduates, graduate students / North. (Arctic) Feder. un-t them. M.V. Lomonosov, North. ex. on hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring, Arkhang. center of Vseros. societies. org. "Rus. geogr. about "; comp. M.A. Trofimova, V.I. Trofimova; otv. ed. prof. N.M. Byzov. Arkhangelsk, 2013. Part 3. 116 p.

1. Bogolitsyn K.G., Polikin D.Yu., Byzova N.M. Program rabot i marshrut 1 reysa ekspeditsii “Arkticheskiy plavuchiy universitet - 2013” \u200b\u200bna NIS “Professor Molchanov” po nauchno-issledovatel’skomu napravleniyu. Kompleksnaya nauchno-obrazovatel'naya ekspeditsiya “Arkticheskiy plavuchiy universitet - 2013”: v 2 ch. ... Arkhangelsk, 2013. Part 1, pp. 7-15.

2. Bogolitsyn K.G., Polikin D.Yu., Byzova N.M. Program rabot i marshrut 2 reysa ekspeditsii “Arkticheskiy plavuchiy universitet - 2013” \u200b\u200bna NIS “Professor Molchanov” po nauchno-issledovatel’skomu napravleniyu. Kompleksnaya nauchno-obrazovatel'naya ekspeditsiya “Arkticheskiy plavuchiy universitet - 2013”: v 2 ch. ... Arkhangelsk, 2013. Part 1, pp. 16-26.

3. Byzova N.M. Arkticheskiy plavuchiy universitet kak innovatsionnaya obrazovatel'naya programma. Ratsional'noe prirodopol'zovanie: traditsii i innovatsii: materialyMezhdunar. nauch.-prakt. konf. Moscow, 23-24 November 2012. Moscow, 2013, pp. 32-34.

4. Kompleksnaya nauchno-obrazovatel'naya ekspeditsiya “Arkticheskiy plavuchiy universitet 2013”: materialy nauch. konf. studentov, magistrantov, aspirantov. Ed. by Byzova N.M. Arkhangelsk, 2013. Part 3.16 p.

BYZOVA Natalia Mikhailovna, Candidate of Geographical Sciences, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Geography and Geoecology of the Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov. Author of over 130 scientific publications, including three textbooks

Contact information: address: 163002, Arkhangelsk, Nab. Northern Dvina, 17;

"Floating Universities"

A.E. Suzyumov, International Project Coordinator, UNESCO IOC

The project, called the Floating University by UNESCO, was initiated in 1991 by Moscow State University (MSU). In 1993, the Russian State Hydrometeorological University (RSHMU) launched a regional project "Baltic Floating University" (BPU). Since 1996, by decision of the IOC Assembly and the General Conference of UNESCO (1995), both projects have been carried out under the IOC-TEMA program (Training, Education and Mutual Assistance in Marine Sciences). In 1999, they were joined by another regional project: "Caspian Floating University" (KPU), carried out by the Caspian Research Institute of Fisheries (CaspNIRKh). Building on the successful results of the three projects mentioned above, a regional project for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, the University of the Sea (UOS), was launched in 2005 at the initiative of a number of Australian universities under the TEMA program. All these projects are designed primarily to teach students the skills of real research work at sea, which distinguishes them from traditional shipboard practices.

TEMA Program Manager - E. Deza ( [email protected]). International Coordinator of PP projects in the IOC Secretariat of UNESCO (Paris, France) - A.E. Suzyumov - [email protected]

1. Floating University (Learning Through Research Program, (TTR)

This project deals with the comprehensive study of geological processes on the continental margins of Europe and North Africa, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Over the past 16 years, the project has achieved remarkable results in the study of oil and gas content of continental margins and gas hydrates - potential energy resources of the future. 16 TTR voyages (1991-2006) were carried out on the ships of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation "Gelendzhik" and "Professor Logachev" in the Atlantic Ocean, Black and Mediterranean Seas. The project developed and applied the Training-through-Research (TTR) principle, which includes a full one-year cycle of teaching students the theory and practice of marine research. After pre-voyage theoretical training, students, under the guidance of renowned European experts, conduct research work on board the ship, supported by daily lectures and seminars. Half a year after the end of the voyage, a post-voyage scientific conference is held, considering the results of work at sea and the results of laboratory studies of the material obtained.

The results of the work are published in leading scientific journals, as well as in the IOC publications (see http://unesdoc.unesco.org/ulis/index.html, in the search box, enter the project abbreviation "TTR"). For the period from 1991 to 2006. about 1000 students and young researchers from most of Europe, as well as North Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the USA and Latin America took part in the voyages of Russian ships. The project is coordinated and managed by the Executive Committee. Project Leaders: Dr. Neil H. Kenyon, Southampton National Oceanographic Center (UK) - [email protected] and M.K. Ivanov, Head of the UNESCO-Moscow State University Chair in Marine Geosciences (Geological Faculty of Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia) - [email protected]

Participants of flight TTR-11 (2001)	One of the daily seminars on board: what discoveries have been made over the past day?
Carbonate pipes lifted from the bottom of the Gulf of Cadiz: through them geofluids enter the marine environment	"Carbonate Hills": mysterious buildings, first explored in detail on the European outskirts on the TTR-7 cruise (1997)

2. Baltic Floating University (BPU)

The BPU project is carried out under the auspices of the UNESCO IOC by the Russian State Hydrometeorological University (RSHMU) in cooperation with the Main Directorate of Navigation and Oceanography (GUNiO) of the RF Ministry of Defense. It provides an opportunity for students from the Baltic region, as well as from other countries in Europe (UK, Spain, Portugal), Asia and Africa to acquire research skills in marine hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring. In doing so, it contributes significantly to the Helsinki Commission's (HELCOM) marine conservation program, the Baltic Oceanographic Operational System (BOOS) (a regional Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) project, and Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) / IOC) .A feature of the project is its implementation in parallel on two floating crafts: one of the oceanographic vessels of the GUNiO (such as "N. Matusevich" and "Sibiryakov"), and in 2006 - on the R / V "Shtokman" IORAN, as well as on a sailing catamaran This makes it possible to simultaneously cover both the coastal zone and the open waters of the Baltic Sea by research. An important role is played by sub-satellite observations in order to compare remote sensing data, observations from satellites with in-situ measurements. On this basis, the RSHU creates computer modules for teaching students methods of remote sensing In 2006, a UNESCO Chair of this profile was created at the RSHU. For the period 1993-2006, more than 2 00 students from 24 countries of Europe, Asia and Africa were trained under the project. The results of the expeditions are published (in English) in the annual BFU Research Bulletin. Project manager T. Eremina (RSHU, St. Petersburg) - [email protected].

Water sampling with the device "rosetta"	Participants of the BPU-2005 flight at the Sibiryakov ladder

3. Caspian Floating University (KPU)

The KPU project, carried out under the auspices of the UNESCO IOC by the Caspian Research Institute of Fisheries (CaspNIRKh), is aimed at studying biological productivity, biological resources and their protection in the Caspian Sea and in the lower Volga delta, as well as at developing regional cooperation and mutual understanding between the countries of the region in environmental protection. The research is carried out on the CaspNIRKh floating craft. In particular, the problems of the influence of fluctuations in the level of the Caspian Sea on water and coastal biological resources are being studied; the impact of pollution (mainly from the development of oil fields) on ecosystems and biological resources; biodiversity and issues of its protection; and the challenges of integrated coastal zone management.

In the field work 1999-2006. attended by over 150 students from the countries of the region. More than 600 people participated in conferences, seminars and schools of the CPU. Since 2001, the Environmental School of the KPU has been operating within the framework of the project. 15-20 high school students study there annually. The IFE results are published in English in the Caspian Floating University Research Bulletin. Project manager V.N. Belyaeva (CaspNIRKH, Astrakhan) - [email protected].

4. Maritime University (MOU)

This project is supported by a consortium of Australian universities, a number of universities and research centers in the Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia and Japan, forming the Asian Neighbors Global Change Network with Australia's participation. The University of Sydney Australia hosts the Project Secretariat (http://www.usims.org.usyd.edu.au/floating.html). The project is funded by the Toyota Foundation and Australian national funds. The French Polar Institute (IPEV) provides ship time on its R / V "Marion Dufresne". In 2005, the first two-week educational geological and ecological voyage in the Arafura Sea (between New Guinea and Australia) took place, which was attended by 20 students from Australia, China, Timor Leste, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, New Guinea, the Philippines and Shli Lanka. In 2006, the 2nd flight took place, which was attended by 19 students from seven countries of the region. It passed along the route Auckland (New Zealand) - Noumea (New Caledonia) - Sydney (Australia) and was aimed at studying gas hydrates using a complex of geophysical and geological methods.

The Arctic Floating University is a unique scientific and educational marine expedition on board the R / V Professor Molchanov, during which young scientists - researchers of the Arctic, acquire knowledge and skills in the real conditions of the northern seas. Expeditions have been implemented since 2012 with the support of the Russian Geographical Society on board the research vessel "Professor Molchanov". Since 2018, PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel has been providing financial support to the project. The area of \u200b\u200bthe expedition is the western sector of the Russian Arctic (the water area of \u200b\u200bthe Barents, Kara and White Seas), including the route of the Northern Sea Route. Over the years, the "Arctic Floating University" has become the hallmark of Lomonosov NArFU and gained fame outside of Russia.

Project organizers: Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov; FSBI Northern Directorate for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring.

Project goals:

obtaining new knowledge about the state and changes in the ecosystem of coastal territories and arctic islands and archipelagos;

training of young specialists in Arctic specialties: hydrometeorology, ecology, biology, geography, geology, chemistry, international law;

development of international scientific and educational cooperation, including with the countries of the Arctic Council within the framework of expeditionary activities in the Arctic;

promotion of the Russian scientific, historical, cultural and natural heritage in the Arctic in the national and international space, popularization of polar specialties among young people.

Educational program involves lectures, seminars and practical fieldwork.

Research program includes the organization and conduct of comprehensive monitoring of the state of the Arctic environment and the study of natural phenomena in the Arctic in the context of global climate change.

Research and educational areas:

The climate of the arctic region;

Features of the functioning of the Arctic ecosystems;

Ecology of the Arctic seas and territories;

Application of geoinformation technologies in the Arctic;

Psychophysiological study of the human body in the Arctic;

Study and preservation of the historical and cultural space of the Arctic.

Project participants:

Undergraduate and graduate students, as well as graduate students and researchers from Russia and foreign countries. The expeditionary squad consists of 57 people.

Infrastructure

The expedition takes place on the research vessel Professor Molchanov. The vessel was built in 1982 for the Russian Hydrometeorological Service. It was later refurbished to accommodate up to 80 passengers and crew.

The ice class of the vessel is UL, according to the new classification Arc 5. The navigation area is unlimited, there are no restrictions on the weather conditions of navigation. According to its characteristics, "Professor Molchanov" is suitable for almost all types of marine work. The vessel has 4 specially equipped laboratories, hydrological winches and cargo equipment.

The vessel is equipped with 2, 3 and 4-bed cabins for the crew and members of the expedition. The cabins on the fourth and fifth decks are equipped with a shower and a toilet, the cabins on the third deck are equipped with washbasins, a number of blocks of shower cabins and bathrooms. On board there are two mess rooms and a salon bar equipped for lectures and classes.

There is a sports area, sauna and laundry on board.

For six years (2012–2018), 10 expeditions of the "Arctic Floating University" were conducted, during which scientists and students from all over the world received unique data for studying the Arctic ecosystem, including the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, Franz Josef Land, Spitsbergen, Vaigach Islands and Kolguev. On the Spitsbergen archipelago, after a long break, scientific research has been resumed in the villages of Pyramida and Barentsburg, as well as in other parts of the archipelago. Since 2012, 229 students have been trained, including 58 students from foreign countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, France, Spain, Iceland, USA, Canada, Brazil and Switzerland).

In 2013, the APU project was chosen as the main platform for the development of scientific research cooperation between the Russian Scientific Center on the Spitsbergen archipelago and scientific and educational institutions of Russia. On the basis of the project at the Lomonosov NArFU, a program for the training of specialists in the direction of “meteorology” was introduced to provide personnel for the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Northern Administration for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring”.

The results of the APU project were highly appreciated by a number of well-known Russian and foreign politicians and scientists. In 2013, the project became a laureate of the Arkhangelsk regional prize of the Lomonosov Foundation in the category of youth science, and in 2014 the project was highly praised by the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin and was awarded the RGS prize. In 2014, the Arctic Floating University expedition received international status and was held under the auspices of the Arctic Council.

The expedition was included in the Plan of the main activities for the Year of Ecology in 2017 in the Russian Federation, approved by the Order of the Government of the Russian Federation dated 02.06.2016 No. 1082-r.

President of the Russian Geographical Society, Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation S.K.Shoigu in his interview for the journal Unknown Siberia published in Novosibirsk in October 2018 named the Arctic Floating University project among the main ones for the Russian Geographical Society for the coming years.

Contacts:

Alexander Alekseevich Saburov, Director of the Arctic Center for Strategic Studies, Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov
Phone: +7 8182 21 89 39 / +7 950 660 68 58
E-mail:

Minchuk Oleg Viktorovich, expert of the Arctic Center for Strategic Research, Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov
Phone: +7 921 246 55 85
E-mail:

July 6 in Arkhangelsk at the Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov (NArFU) held a press conference dedicated to the next voyage to the Arctic of the research vessel of the Northern UGMS "Professor Molchanov" under the project "Arctic Floating University".

The Arctic Floating University is a joint project of NArFU, Roshydromet, the Russian Geographical Society and the Russian Arctic National Park.

“This is the only project that brings together the largest educational and scientific centers in Russia, working in the interests of the Russian Arctic. This is the only high-latitude complex expedition in the world organized on board a research vessel. And this is the only project that can be described as a successful example of public-private partnership. Along with the university, the Russian Arctic National Park and the Northern UGMS, large companies take part in each expedition. Representatives of the Norilsk Nickel company are on the tenth expedition, ”said Rector of NArFU Elena Kudryashova.

In 2018, the tenth anniversary expedition under the Arctic Floating University project will take place. During this time, more than 500 people took part in the flights, including 200 students from Russian and foreign universities. The R / V "Professor Molchanov" has covered 28800 nautical miles.

This year the expedition was named “Terra Nova”. It will be attended by 58 people: students, postgraduates, employees of research and educational institutions from Russia, Nigeria, Serbia, France, Switzerland, Germany, Canada and China. A UNESCO World Heritage Center consultant from Italy will work on board. An international crew will set off to explore the east coast of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago.

According to the head of the expedition, Konstantin Zaikov, this region of the archipelago has been little studied. Research will be carried out in the field of hydrology, meteorology, biodiversity studies, migration of birds and mammals. Environmental works of an applied nature will be carried out. Researchers at the Arktika Center will begin a project to study the possible transport of pollutants in the atmosphere. “These substances can potentially cause great harm to the health of the Arctic population. We need to understand whether they are there or not. We will collect samples and analyze them at the university, ”said Konstantin Zaikov. The expedition will continue to work on a mega-grant from the Government of the Russian Federation to study the transport of toxic substances in the food chains of the Arctic region. The research will be carried out by representatives of the Arctic Biomonitoring Laboratory of NArFU. Together with the NArFU School of Energy, Oil and Gas, a project to assess the pollution of the Arctic environment by ships will be implemented during the voyage of the "floating university" A project to study the origin of islands and archipelagos will be continued with Novosibirsk State University. Also, a large range of work will continue with the institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences to study the biodiversity of the Arctic.

The crew and the vessel of the R / V "Professor Molchanov" are fully ready for the voyage. Head of the Northern UGMS Roman Ershov. During the expedition, the specialists of the department will carry out work on sampling at the age-old hydrological sections. Roman Viktorovich also announced the weather forecast for the flight. The participants of the "Arctic Floating University" in the White Sea will have rather comfortable weather, with little wind and no precipitation. The higher the latitude, the worse the weather will be. Moreover, this year the ice situation in the Arctic is rather difficult. Specialists of the Northern UGMS gave their recommendations for laying the route so that all planned landings take place.

Roman Ershov emphasized the importance of implementing the Arctic Floating University project, it is here that personnel are trained for further work in the hydrometeorological service and in the Arctic. "I would like to see as many students as possible become infected with the Arctic disease on these flights, so that our personnel issues are resolved thanks to this project."

The ceremony of sending the crew of the tenth expedition of the Arctic Floating University will be held

The Arctic Floating University project was launched on June 1, 2012. The project is being implemented thanks to the joint financing of Roshydromet and NArFU (Ministry of Education and Science). The project was supported by the Russian Geographical Society.

The first voyage was carried out on the route: Arkhangelsk - White Sea - Barents Sea - Franz Josef Land - Novaya Zemlya - Kolguev Island - White Sea - Sosnovets Island - Solovki - Arkhangelsk.

On board the ship, students received knowledge and practiced them in practice, students of NArFU. M.V. Lomonosov. The teaching was conducted by researchers from the NRU Roshydromet, NArFU and the Northern UGMS. Practical classes for students were held with the use of high-quality modern equipment, which is equipped with the "floating laboratory".

During the voyage, the full scope of work on the Barents and White Seas was completed, more than 8,000 samples of water, soil, air and biological resources were taken.

Arctic Floating University work program in 2013 consists of 2 flights. The first voyage is operated from June 1 to June 25, 2013 on the route Arkhangelsk - White Sea - Barents Sea - Greenland Sea - Svalbard - White Sea - Arkhangelsk. The work program of the Arctic Floating University in 2013 consists of 2 voyages. The first voyage is carried out from June 1 to June 25, 2013 on the route Arkhangelsk - White Sea - Barents Sea - Greenland Sea - Spitsbergen - White Sea - Arkhangelsk.

The second voyage is scheduled from July 2 to July 26, 2013 on the route Arkhangelsk - White Sea - Kolguev Island - Barents Sea - Kara Sea - Severnaya Zemlya Island - Novaya Zemlya Island - Arkhangelsk.

The program of work on the R / V Professor Molchanov was compiled by the staff of NArFU named after M.V. Lomonosov, Northern UGMS, AANII, GOIN, \u200b\u200bMoscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov and IEPS UB RAS and provides for two major areas: educational and research. Artist Sergei Zvyagin was invited to work on the expedition, working on the theme of the Arctic.

A separate work program was developed for Svalbard, where the participants of the first voyage of the Arctic Floating University visited in June 2013:

conducting hydrochemical, glaciological and seismological studies in the waters and on the coast of the Spitsbergen archipelago. Control points (Barentsburg - Longyearbyen - Well Alesund - Hot Springs, Bookfjord);

Part in signing the agreement of the Russian delegation on the joint use of the Russian scientific center in Barentsburg;

Meeting with the Governor and organizing a traveling exhibition of paintings by artist Viktor Zvyagintsev;

Visit to the University Center of Spitsbergen (UNIS);

Visit to Sverdrup Research Station, Norwegian Polar Institute;

Visit to the marine laboratory "AK" Kings Bay ":

Discussion and development of directions for joint research activities in the archipelago;

Signing of a bilateral agreement on research cooperation between NArFU named after M.V. Lomonosov and the company "AK" Kings Bay "on the Spitsbergen archipelago and joint use of the scientific base of the marine laboratory.

The program includes educational courses and actual research work in the waters of the White, Barents, Greenland and Kara Seas of the Arctic Ocean. This direction is very important in connection with the implementation of Russia's strategy for the development and conservation of natural resources in the Arctic and the role of NArFU and Roshydromet in this area. This is especially important in connection with the following features of the Arctic zone. This direction is provided by the NArFU development program.

In Barentsburg, members of the delegation and students of the Arctic Floating University visited a number of facilities of Roshydromet and the Kola Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. On June 13, the R / V "Professor Molchanov" with students and a delegation on board arrived at the port of Longyearbyen, where they met with the Mayor of Longyearbyen Christine Christophersen and visited the University Center of Spitsbergen (UNIS). In the center, the parties discussed Russian-Norwegian cooperation in the archipelago. In Ny-Ålesund, the northernmost Norwegian city, for those who did not participate in the ground research, an excursion to the scientific objects of the town and a meeting was organized at which the expedition members were told about the history of Ny-Ålesund and its life.

For the research team, the work in Ny-Ålesund was the most fruitful in the three days in Svalbard. We managed to establish a seismic station. Samples of snow, ice, soil and plants were taken. We completed four geological profiles, conducted georadar surveys, studied the geological layers, and selected the malacofauna - these are the remains of mollusk shells that are deposited along with marine and river sediments. By analyzing them, it is possible to determine the age of the terrace and the content of stable isotopes.

I had to work in difficult conditions: the weather was changing all the time - either the wind with hail, then the sun again. At the same time, it was necessary to remember that this territory belongs rather to a polar bear than to a person.

During the expedition, I introduced the Norwegian delegation to the activities of the laboratories of the Floating University.

Saying goodbye to their Norwegian colleagues, the crew of the research vessel "Professor Molchanov" continued on their way to the planned section.

On June 16, in the first half of the day, everyone was actively preparing for two events planned according to the plan: one - serious and scientific, the other - comic and entertaining. The first is the reporting session. The members of the expedition prepared their reports on the work on the sections in the White and Barents Seas. The results, which were reported by representatives of scientific blocks, caused a lively discussion among the expedition members and brought the researchers one step closer to the final report, which they will write on the mainland. The second is the Miss Molchanova contest. For the first time on board a research vessel, the most beautiful girl was chosen. After dinner, "Professor Molchanov" went to the points of section No. 3 in the Barents Sea. And again active work continued.

On June 17, at 6 am, the expedition members woke up from dull blows against the ship's hull - it was the R / V Professor Molchanov who stepped onto the first ice - in front of the ocean ice field. Oceanographic research in the northern part of the Barents Sea continued throughout the day. Here the attention of researchers was focused on the warm Atlantic waters coming from the North. The work on the open pit went on as planned. In the evening "Floating University" reached the northernmost point of its route, further movement will be only to the south. "Professor Molchanov" reached 80 degrees north latitude and began to follow in a southeast direction, where the expedition's hydrochemical unit will make a section that crosses the entire Barents Sea in the direction of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago.

June 18 became one of the most productive since the beginning of the oceanographic survey in the northern part of the Barents Sea. It was possible to work out the designated research area in its entirety, although only yesterday it was questioned. For almost a day, "Professor Molchanov" walked in the ice, which made research extremely difficult. Oceanologists had to change the sequence of points, adapting to the unpredictable conditions of the high latitude zone. But we coped with the task!