Home / Science / Arctic Expedition Finds Seabird Decline and Rapid Glacier Retreat
Arctic Expedition Finds Seabird Decline and Rapid Glacier Retreat
1 Aug
Summary
- Expedition made record number of oceanography stations in Barents Sea
- Researchers found dead seabirds and signs of disease in kittiwake and uria populations
- Significant glacier retreat observed on Franz Josef Land, with ancient whale remains uncovered
The Arctic Floating University expedition, which departed from Arkhangelsk on July 9th, 2025, has returned with significant findings about the state of the Arctic environment. According to the expedition leader, Alexander Saburov, the voyage was a success, largely due to favorable weather conditions that allowed the team to conduct a record number of oceanography stations in the northeastern part of the Barents Sea.
In addition to their studies ashore on Novaya Zemlya and the Franz Josef Land archipelago, the researchers made 56 oceanography stations across five sections of the Barents Sea. This represents a substantial increase compared to previous years, with around 20 more stations than in 2024 and three times more than in 2023.
The expedition's ornithology team was particularly concerned by the signs of a dysfunctional state in some seabird populations. They registered dead urias and kittiwakes in the Barents Sea waters, which had not been observed in previous years. Additionally, kittiwakes on Novaya Zemlya's Bogatyi Island showed signs of gastrointestinal tract infection, while urias in the southern Barents Sea were severely affected by ticks.
The researchers will now analyze the collected samples of excrement and parasites to determine the reasons for these unhealthy conditions and identify any negative processes taking place in the ecosystem. Seabirds are considered sensitive indicators of ocean health, and these findings are a cause for concern.
The expedition also made significant observations regarding the retreat of glaciers in the Franz Josef Land archipelago. The deglaciation pattern on the Wilczek Island, for example, is comparable to that seen in warmer areas like Spitsbergen or Novaya Zemlya, with the island's glaciation having halved since 1999. Interestingly, as the glacier has retreated, the researchers have found numerous remains of marine mammals, including whales and seals, which will be valuable subjects for future research on the dynamics of sea level, glaciation, and climate in the region.
