Drifting research ice station "AARI Ice Camp" in the Arctic ocean is deployed as a component of IPY program of Russia
On 7th of June 2007 at 11:30 (Moscow time) in the Arctic Basin of the Arctic Ocean at the spatial coordinates of 81 03 N, 168 45 E the ice drifting research station "AARI Ice Camp" was deployed (reference to EASO web -Tara). The Ice camp was established under the complex high-latitude research expedition onboard the nuclear ice breaker "Rossiya" (
http://www.ipyeaso.aari.ru/rossiya.html). Research and life support equipment was disembarked on ice and the camp was developed. Station personnel consists of 9 persons: Visnevskiy A.A.- Ice Camp Head-oceanologist, Ipatov A. Ju. - oceanographer, Sagalaev S.G.- hydrochemist, Kosolapov I.G.- meteorologist, Kovalev S.M. - ice researcher, Galkin A.V.- physician,
Kurov M.A.- cook, Phokin M.N.- radio operator, Makarov S.A.- mechanical engineer.
The dimensions of the ice field are about 3000 to 2000 m. Ice field has a core consisting from floe of Second-year ice with dimensions 1000 m x 2000 with thickness (estimated on 4 measurements) 2300-3000 cm. On the edges ice field core is countered by intrusions of First-year smooth ice with dimensions approximately 400 to 500 m and thickness of about 140 cm.
Up to the present all life support services were launched including finalization of work on accommodation, mess-room and warehouse facilities.
Research program includes observations and research in the field of meteorology, oceanography, hydrochemistry, ice physics, and determination of contaminants.
Meteorological equipment already installed and since 10th of June data of meteorological observations are transmitting to WMO at main synoptic hours.
Works on setting of oceanographic unit and ice physics research are about to be accomplished.
Hydrochemistry measurements were carried out on the first-year ice; snow, ice and sea water samples for further analysis for determination of contaminants and biogenic elements were collected; concentration of suspended material in ice adjacent water layer and melt ponds was determined; oxygen concentration, ะอ of the ice adjacent water layer and salinity of the ice core were also measured.
