Arctic Expedition Explores Prince George Land for First Time

The Arctic Floating University expedition concluded its 20th voyage on July 22, 2026, having navigated the Barents Sea and explored Franz Josef Land.

This year's expedition marked a historic first with scientists making landfall on Prince George Land, an island within the Franz Josef Land Archipelago. Researchers also revisited Hooker and Heiss Islands, areas not studied since 2021. The vessel Professor Molchanov covered approximately 3,000 nautical miles, conducting extensive research.

Scientists conducted vital work assessing the marine carbonate system and the flow of carbon dioxide between the ocean and atmosphere. This research is critical for understanding how climate change impacts the ocean's role in absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Further scientific endeavors included monitoring Barents Sea bottom communities for the first time, comparing current fauna with samples taken 20 years prior. New data on marine populations was also gathered from Prince Georg Land's Sommerville Bay.

The expedition documented diverse marine life, including Chionoecetes opilio crabs and northern shrimp. Microbiologists studied bird nesting grounds, identifying new species and potential disease transmission vectors, while marine mammal observations included several species listed in Russia's Red Data Book.

Additionally, a special entomological examination was performed across Franz Josef Land's islands, revealing a depleted insect fauna due to harsh climatic conditions and isolation. The expedition was organized by Lomonosov Northern Arctic Federal University and Sevhydromet.