7 September - 14 September 2008 (Reykjavik – Bremerhaven)

Polar bear alarm! After the first sightings in the previous weeks, this week we had the luck to get the Ursus maritimus in front of our cameras several times! The first one was a typical “Einzelgänger” (loner) and was walking around on a small ice platform not more then 50 m away from the ship, while looking at us pretty bored. The second time we had the honour to see a mother and new born child swimming at less then 100 m from the ship, although the fact that it were actually 2 polar bears was not noticed by everybody.

This week the weather finally changed for the better and the fog, which had followed us during the last weeks, gradually thinned, allowing the sun to shine some rays on the Polarstern. This week we also arrived at the southern-most point of the research area, allowing temperatures to rise above 0 °C and melting the last snow on deck. From now on, we are travelling north again and the excitement is rising over the coming completely ice-covered ocean and the possibility to leave the ship for short trips to big ice flows. The oceanographers, with data from the University of Bremen, create an ice cover chart for the research area twice a week, allowing us to plan the rest of the trip.

The geophysical program is still running strong and the airguns roar continuously. Their sound, shaking the ship every 15 seconds, has become a part of daily life and by now, nobody notices it anymore. During the seismic profiling, the ship cannot stop, leaving the other research group without new stations. The only exception is the group of oceanographers, who still take XCTD measurements. Without new samples, the other research groups have started archiving their samples and performing the first on-board measurements. The geologists have started to open their sediments cores, which are photographed and described. The geochemists are busy taking pore water samples, which will provide information about chemical processes in the sediments. With the use of X-rays, the geologists detect microstructures within the sediment and logging them provides information on several physical properties (lightness, colour, etc.). Foraminifera are collected to use for dating later at home, so that a solid age model can be developed. A detailed study of the ice rafter debris is made to gain more knowledge of its source area. The biologists are busy filtering their seawater for (micro) organisms, while the young ladies of the bathymetry group spend their hours scanning the seafloor for new seamounts in the mean time.

Besides the scientific work, there is still enough time for some sports to keep the body fit. The first round of the table tennis tournament, for example, has reached its climax with fierce battles being fought for the last places in the quarter finals. Also, with the weight-watchers program fully running, it has become increasingly difficult to find a free place in the gym.

The halfway-point of the expedition ARK XXIII/3 has been reached on Saturday the 13th, 2009, which was celebrated with a big BBQ on the working deck. Despite of the winterly conditions of -4 °C and light snowfall, the party lasted until 4 am in the morning.

Everybody is healthy and send its greetings to the people at home.

Michael Schreck and David Naafs
September 14, 2008
76°25’N 178°7’E, -4 °C